Uncovering key success factors for enhanced office-site communication through digital twins

Purpose This study aims to explore the transformative potential of digital twins (DTs) in the construction industry by addressing challenges and bridging the technology adoption gap. Focusing on construction offices, on-site environments and their interface, the research identifies key success factors for DT implementation. Emphasizing practical applications, the study foresees a substantial impact on project management, highlighting the pivotal role of DTs in reshaping the construction sector. Design/methodology/approach We reviewed 30 variables within the DT literature, classifying investigations into three main domains: on-site environments, office environments and site-office interface in construction projects. We employed a questionnaire to examine variables, with collected data analyzed using SmartPLS version 4 software. Confirmatory analysis and structural equation modeling rigorously assessed the model’s reliability, validity and predictive utility. Findings The study identifies 11 critical factors crucial for successfully implementing DTs in construction projects, emphasizing contributions from office-related (ORF), site-related (SRF) and office-site-related factors (OSRF). Notably, impactful contributions from ORF affirm its pivotal role. The research sheds light on specific aspects within construction offices, on-site environments and their interface, providing valuable insights for industry stakeholders, policymakers and researchers. Originality/value Despite discussions on DT’s potential, a research gap exists in addressing essential factors for its effective application in monitoring and optimizing construction projects throughout their lifecycle. This study fills this gap by identifying and categorizing these factors, enhancing the knowledge base for successful DT assimilation and emphasizing the need for practitioners to understand key factors crucial for its integration into construction processes.