The digital twin as an enabler of digital transformation: a sociotechnical perspective

Abstract

Many organizations find the emerging concept of the Digital Twin (DT) to be compelling as a potential means to reduce the time and cost to develop new products, support fielded products, and enable rapid innovation to respond to new market opportunities. However, realizing the full potential of a DT may require significant changes in the methods, processes, and tools for product development and support currently used by potential adopters in the organization. We introduce an approach for assessing the behaviors and capabilities of the DT and their relationships within the organization’s sociotechnical system. We believe this approach can enable DT implementation outcomes better aligned with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives, and help to clarify not only what the DT can do, but what it should do for the organization. The approach is explained using an illustrative case study example, which is based on interim progress of our ongoing research project.