This week’s session kicked off a new in-depth exploration of a crucial topic: “Composing Digital Twins for Real ROI.” The conversation moved beyond the hype to tackle a fundamental question: In a world of endless data and complex systems, where do you even begin?
There was a clear consensus to abandon the single, monolithic “twin” that does everything. The future is composable.
The Core Challenge: What Are We Actually Composing?
The discussion began by mapping the staggering scope of a building’s digital footprint. To compose a twin, you first must understand the pieces. Several powerful frameworks were explored:
- The Specification Lens: Should Composition Follow Traditional Building Specs, Such as Electrical or HVAC?
- The Silo-Busting Lens: Is the real value in weaving together data from historically separate systems—such as security, energy, and occupancy—to unlock new, cross-functional insights?
- The Capability Lens: One framework, resembling a “Periodic Table,” breaks digital twins into distinct capabilities, such as Data Services, Integration, and Intelligence. The critical insight? You don’t need every element. You only compose what delivers value.
- The Lifecycle Lens: Should the focus be on a specific phase, from design and construction to decades of operation?
With so many entry points, the central question emerged: How do we start without getting lost?
The Unanimous Answer: Start with the “DAM Data” and a Clear Use Case
The conversation quickly converged on a powerful theme. The perceived “confusion” around digital twins evaporates when you stop thinking about the product and start with the outcome.
A key insight shared was that building owners often aren’t confused by the concept; they are unsure how to procure a solution that meets their specific needs. The composability approach is the answer—it’s about assembling the right components for the right questions.
This was driven home by what might be the new industry mantra that emerged: “Just give me the DAM Data. (Data Accessible Model).” The goal isn’t a perfect, all-encompassing standard built over decades; it’s about gaining access to open, usable data now. The technology to convert and leverage this data is more powerful than ever.
The “Aha!” Moment: A digital twin isn’t a product you buy in a box. It’s the result of composing accessible data to solve a specific, valuable problem. Start by asking: Is the kitchen too hot? Are the operating rooms efficient? The use case dictates the composition.
Beyond the Machine: Composing the Human Experience
A profound shift in perspective altered the focus beyond the facility management team. The most transformative digital twins involve primary occupants, such as doctors and nurses in a hospital, hotel guests, and store customers.
“This is where you have a truly interesting interaction… The most live data that’s available typically comes from the human experience in the built environment.”
This redefines the mission from simply composing machine data to creating a comprehensive operational model that encompasses people, their workflows, and the systems with which they interact.
From Fancy Thermostats to Invisible Intelligence
A reality check from the front lines of small commercial buildings highlighted that for many owners, the conversation doesn’t start with “digital twins.” It begins with, “Is my space comfortable and compliant?”
The evolution occurs when they realize the data they now possess can answer more profound questions and prevent future problems. The sophistication becomes a given—they expect their buildings to be “smart.” In this context, the digital twin becomes the invisible, composable engine that enables seamless operation.
The discussion also looked ahead to the next evolution: Natural Language Processing (NLP). Why navigate a complex 3D model when you can ask, “What was the average temperature in the kitchen last month?” and get an immediate answer? The composable digital twin enables this by serving the correct data from the appropriate systems at the right time.
The slide below shows the Periodic Table of Twin.
Click on it and swipe left and right, and all the slides from Monday’s Zoom will appear
The Bottom Line: We Composed, We Didn’t Impose
This week’s session made it clear that the path to Real ROI with Digital Twins isn’t about building a single, gigantic digital replica. It’s about a practical, composable approach:
- Start with a specific use case and a desired outcome.
- Focus on accessing the “DAM Data,” no matter its source.
- Compose only the capabilities you need to solve the problem.
- Remember the human element—the best twins enhance the experience of the people inside.
The complexity is in the ecosystem, but the solution is in the composition.
Missed the live session? The full recording and slide deck are available at mondaylive.org.
Catch up on past topics at AutomatedBuildings.com and discover how to get involved in shaping the future of open-source, open-standard smart buildings.
