From BIM to Digital Twins: Optimizing Operations & Facility Management

In the evolving landscape of construction and facility management, the transition from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to Digital Twins is transforming how we manage and operate buildings. This transition offers opportunities for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall lifecycle of a facility. In this article, we explore how a BIM model can be developed into a Digital Twin for Operations and Facility Management (FM), providing real-world insights to its benefits and use cases.

What is a BIM Model?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. It serves as a shared knowledge resource, providing detailed information throughout the building’s lifecycle—from design and construction to maintenance and operations. BIM includes various dimensions, such as 3D visualization, time (4D), and cost (5D), enabling collaboration and data-rich decision-making across project stakeholders.

Understanding Digital Twins

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset or system that replicates its behavior over time. Fueled by real-time data from IoT sensors, digital twins simulate, monitor, and predict performance, making them invaluable for asset oversight, maintenance, and optimization. They are applied across scales, from single machines to entire facilities and cities.

Steps to Creating a Digital Twin from BIM

1. Identify Critical Use Cases

Start by determining the most valuable applications for your digital twin—predictive maintenance, energy optimization, or safety monitoring. These high-ROI use cases guide the design of your digital twin infrastructure and help define the required data sources and visualization needs.

2. Create the Visual Context

Develop a detailed BIM model that reflects the physical reality of the building or asset. For easier integration and web access, consider exporting the model to a format like glTF or IFC. Ensure it’s up-to-date, particularly in retrofit or renovation scenarios.

3. Bring Operational Data into the Model

Deploy IoT sensors to capture live data such as temperature, humidity, vibration, or energy consumption. Use platforms like AWS IoT Core or SiteWise to ingest, store, and visualize sensor data alongside the BIM model. Regular calibration ensures accuracy between the physical and digital states.

4. Perform Simulation and Analysis

With visual and operational data combined, you can run simulations and analytics to detect anomalies, optimize performance, and support predictive maintenance. These insights allow facility managers to act proactively and continuously improve building operations.

Benefits of Transitioning to a BIM Digital Twin

📊 Improved Asset Performance

Digital twins offer real-time analytics that optimize how buildings and systems perform. In healthcare, for example, digital twins help monitor ambient conditions that directly affect patient outcomes. Logs of such metrics are also critical for compliance with regulatory standards.

🔧 Predictive Maintenance

With continuous monitoring, digital twins can identify faults before they lead to failure. This minimizes costly downtime and allows for scheduled maintenance during low-impact periods. When combined with 6D BIM, maintenance records, specifications, and real-time data are all accessible in one integrated platform.

🌐 Remote Monitoring

Digital twins enable remote oversight of equipment and systems, reducing the need for on-site presence and increasing safety. They support distributed service models, improve technician response times, and provide training environments based on real-world context.

🚀 Deliver Ahead of Schedule

Simulate entire facility operations before construction is complete. Run “what-if” scenarios to identify and resolve design flaws, reducing risks and speeding up deployment timelines.

Begin Your Journey from BIM to Digital Twins

Transitioning from BIM to a Digital Twin requires strategic planning—building an accurate model, selecting the right sensors, and setting up a reliable cloud infrastructure. Done right, this transformation enhances decision-making, improves performance, and reduces long-term operational costs.

As the AEC industry embraces smart facility management, the integration of BIM and Digital Twins is set to become a cornerstone of efficient, data-driven building operations. Whether managing hospitals, commercial buildings, or industrial plants, now is the time to harness the power of digital twins for smarter, safer, and more sustainable outcomes.