BIMScaler Blog – There’s a lot of talk in the AEC industries at the moment about the pros and cons of the digital thread vs the digital twin.
But we’ve come to see that, as projects have gotten more complex, the need for integrated systems has grown, making these two concepts important.
That’s why it’s tricky to know exactly what each one is for.
The digital twins are used to simulate physical environments, while the digital threads are used to link all the project data together.
Differences Between Digital Threads and Digital Twins
While both digital twins and digital threads are great ways to represent things digitally, they’re quite different in terms of what they can do, why you’d use them, and how you’d use them.
A digital thread is a complete record of a product or project from start to finish, from the moment it’s first conceived to when it’s finally finished.
It’s a way of keeping track of all the work done by contractors or engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies during a project.
A digital thread is all about the work that’s been done, whereas a digital twin is a digital copy of the finished product.
It shows the finished product that’s being handed over to the customer, not the process of getting there.
Let’s look at these differences in more detail.
Scope and Purpose
The main thing we need to know about the digital thread vs. digital twin debate is what they’re for.
A digital twin is basically a virtual model of a physical asset, which simulates how it performs and behaves in real time.
Meanwhile, the digital thread keeps track of an asset’s entire lifecycle, linking data across systems and workflows.
For instance, in 2024, Christine Lehner’s paper “Digital Twin and Digital Thread within the Product Lifecycle Management” explains how digital twins are crucial for simulating real-time conditions during asset operations.
Meanwhile, digital threads provide end-to-end traceability, helping businesses manage the continuous flow of data from design to operation.
Data Flow and Integration
The digital twin technology usually focuses on real-time operational data. They use IoT sensors and software models to create a static or dynamic representation of a physical object, simulating how it will behave under different conditions.
For instance, sensors on a bridge could send data to a digital twin to predict how well the bridge will hold up under heavy traffic.
On the other hand, a digital thread brings together data from different sources, making it easy to share information across different departments and stages.
It helps the design, construction, and operational teams to work together, which reduces the risk of data being stored in isolated silos.
Lifecycle Representation
A digital twin’s lifecycle representation is usually limited to just one phase of a project—either the operation or design phase, for example.
It gives you a good idea of what the current status of a particular asset is and any potential issues.
By contrast, a digital thread covers the whole product lifecycle, from the initial design to the end of its life.
As Dr. Dan Patterson explained in his 2020 paper, “Digital Thread vs. Digital Twin: Differences, Benefits, and Why You Need Both,” a digital thread makes sure all project activities and data exchanges are tracked over time.
When it comes to long-term AEC projects in Australia, this difference is really important.
While digital twinning helps with day-to-day management, digital threats make sure that the data from the whole project is kept safe so that people can make informed decisions decades after it’s finished.
Scalability and application
Digital twins are great for keeping an eye on the performance of individual bits of kit, like HVAC systems in buildings.
They do have their limits, though, when it comes to complex networks or large-scale infrastructure projects.
On the other hand, the digital thread can be scaled up really easily.
They can link up different systems across lots of different projects and people, which makes them useful for big, connected AEC operations.
As Lehner et al. point out, the digital thread can link different product phases, making it perfect for large-scale developments like multi-building urban projects.
This makes digital threads a really useful tool for projects that need to be coordinated across lots of different parts.
Learn more: Digital Twin vs Simulation: Insider’s Guide to Choosing the Right Tool
Comparison Table: Digital Thread vs Digital Twin
| Feature | Digital Thread | Digital Twin |
| Scope | Covers entire lifecycle, from design to decommission | Focuses on a specific asset’s real-time operation |
| Purpose | Traceability and data continuity | Simulation of physical asset performance |
| Data Flow | Connects data across systems | Collects and analyzes operational data |
| Lifecycle Representation | End-to-end product or asset lifecycle | Real-time, phase-specific |
| Scalability | High—applies across systems and phases | Limited to specific assets |
| Use in AEC | Ideal for managing data across large, multi-phase projects | Best for real-time monitoring of buildings and structures |
How Digital Threads Support Digital Twins
It’s common to use a digital thread and digital twin together because they help you see and manage complex asset lifecycles more easily.
Digital threads and digital twins are two sides of the same coin. Together, they make it easier to manage and operate assets throughout their lifecycle.
So, how do digital threads help with digital twins?
Data Continuity for Lifecycle Management
A digital thread basically gathers data from the start of a project, from the initial design and concept phase onwards.
This data, which includes things like requirements, design specs, 3D models, and simulations, is the basis for the digital twin prototype (DTP).
As the project moves forward and the asset is built, the digital thread keeps adding data about manufacturing, testing, and commissioning.
This constant stream of data means that the digital twin, once the asset is up and running, isn’t just a standalone entity. It’s got a full history of the asset’s journey.
Real-Time Data Integration
The digital thread helps to bring together data from different sources in real time, including sensors and monitoring systems that are built into the physical asset.
This real-time data is really important for the digital twin to show the asset’s current state and performance accurately.
The digital twin can give you the latest insights into how the asset is performing by using the digital thread to bring together all the relevant data.
Enhanced Decision-Making
During the design and development phase, the digital thread, along with the evolving DTP, allows for simulations and analysis based on real-world data.
This helps us spot potential design issues, improve performance, and make smart choices about materials and manufacturing processes.
Once the asset is up and running, the digital thread’s constant data stream into the digital twin lets you predict when something might go wrong, spot problems before they happen, and make sure everything’s running as it should.
Improved Collaboration and Traceability
Digital threads get rid of data silos, giving everyone involved in the asset’s life cycle access to one single source of truth.
This improved collaboration and transparency are key to making digital twins work well.
This means that engineers, operators, and maintenance teams can all access the same up-to-date information, which helps them make better decisions and be more accountable.
Learn more: High Demand of Unity Digital Twin: Application, Process, & How to Get It
Integrating Both Technologies for Optimal Results
Now, we’re not getting bogged down in the digital thread vs. digital twin debate. Instead, we’re using both technologies to make asset lifecycle management a lot more efficient.
The digital thread’s ability to bring together all the relevant data improves the accuracy of the digital twin’s simulations and analysis, which in turn makes operations more efficient and cuts costs.
This integration is especially useful in AEC projects, where managing complex data across different stages is really important.
The digital thread makes sure that data is kept consistent and can be traced throughout the project, while the digital twin gives us real-time insights into how specific assets are performing.
For example, when building a big infrastructure project, the digital thread can keep track of design changes, materials used, and how the construction is going.
Meanwhile, a digital twin can be used to test how a bridge will behave under different loads.
This combined approach makes it easier to make better design decisions, manage construction more efficiently, and plan maintenance in advance.
On top of that, combining artificial intelligence and machine learning with digital threads and digital twins can make predictions even more accurate and automate decision-making processes.
This integration can help you manage your assets more efficiently, reduce downtime, and get better overall results from your projects.
Case Studies of Combined Implementation
For example, Lehner talked about a pilot project involving a consumer product manufacturer.
The company used a digital twin to simulate product designs, but they ran into problems when data from the design phase wasn’t fully integrated into the production phase.
By using a digital thread to track data from the start to the end of the production process, the company was able to improve data traceability, reduce product defects by 12%, and speed up their time to market by 20%.
Now, let’s imagine your big construction company has been given the job of building a multi-use development right in the middle of a busy city.
This big project has residential, commercial, and public spaces, so it’s important to get all the teams and stakeholders working together seamlessly.
The sheer scale of the project and the need for efficient project management have meant your company has had to bring in digital thread and digital twin technologies from the very beginning.
The digital thread is brought in right at the start of the project, capturing and connecting all the relevant data.
All the architectural drawings, structural plans, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) designs are brought together in 3D Building Information Models (BIM), which act as the digital backbone for the project.
As the construction goes on, the digital thread keeps track of every detail, from construction schedules and material procurement to real-time data from sensors on site and drone surveys.
As each phase of the project is finished, digital twins are made for each building, so you can take a virtual walkthrough and do a detailed inspection.
These digital twins are fed by the huge amount of data in the digital thread and include real-time sensor data on things like the heating, ventilation, and lighting systems.
They also use performance data, like energy usage and maintenance records, to make sure the complex functions efficiently long after construction is done.
That’s Why You Need a Support System in the Digital Thread vs Digital Twin Process
So yes, the idea of adopting a digital thread vs. a digital twin might seem a bit intimidating, especially if your team is already short on resources or expertise.
But don’t worry; taking that first step doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
At BIM Scaler, we’re on a mission to make a digital thread and digital twin a reality for Australian businesses like yours.
Our complete range of services is there to make your digital thread and digital twin adoption as stress-free as possible.
We’ve got the skills to make your digital twin creation process smoother and more efficient.
Our expertise lies in clash detection, 4D/5D planning, and effective stakeholder communication.
Also, we make sure your digital twin lasts as long as you need it to, so it’s always worth its weight in gold.
The goal is to get a reliable support system you can count on to help you work through the challenges with confidence.
That’s why, whenever you are ready to experience the difference, kindly visit our BIM Management Australia Support page to discover how we can assist you.
Or, let’s grab lunch—no sales, no pushy pitches; just a friendly discussion on how to make your complex digital dreams a reality, one step at a time.
Just drop us a line to arrange a time that works best for you.
In Closing
A digital twin, which is fed real-time data from sensors built into the physical structure, becomes part of a wider digital thread that tracks the whole lifecycle, from design to demolition.
In today’s fast-changing Australian construction industry, it’s essential to embrace both digital threads and digital twins to succeed.
So, the debate about digital thread vs. digital twin misses the point. These technologies aren’t competing with each other; they’re working together.
