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TEC-0058Simulation and digital twinsArchitecture

Digital twin

A living digital model of a real product, process, asset, or system that is updated with real data.

Where it creates value

Best suited to work like this.

Process understanding, asset monitoring, virtual commissioning, capacity scenarios, maintenance, training, and optimization.

What it does

The intelligent task.

Represent state, combine context and telemetry, simulate scenarios, compare expected with actual behavior, and support prediction or optimization.

Typical value

Allows teams to understand, test, and improve products, assets, or processes digitally before changing the physical system.

Where it performs well: Combines engineering understanding and live data to explore changes without immediately disturbing the real system.

Value maturity · editorial assessment Demonstrated

Digital twins have demonstrated value in engineering and operations, while scaling depends on model fidelity, live data, and maintenance.

  1. Emerging
  2. Demonstrated
  3. Scaling
  4. Established
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TEC-0058 · How it works in practice

Digital twin

Read the card type together with the use case. A component can be central in one solution and enabling in another.

01 · Inputs

Engineering models, process data, sensor history, configuration, operating context, and business rules.

02 · Intelligent task

Represent state, combine context and telemetry, simulate scenarios, compare expected with actual behavior, and support prediction or optimization.

03 · Outputs

State estimates, simulations, deviations, scenarios, predictions, visualizations, and recommended actions.

Common application patterns
  1. Process understanding
  2. asset monitoring
  3. virtual commissioning
  4. capacity scenarios
  5. maintenance
  6. training
  7. and optimization
Enablers

What must be in place.

Defined twin scope, trusted models and data, synchronization, identifiers, validation of model fidelity, versioning, ownership, and computing infrastructure.

Where it struggles

Limitations and drawbacks.

A twin is only as accurate as its model, data, and synchronization; false precision or stale configuration can mislead decisions.

Human role

People remain accountable.

Engineers define assumptions and validate fidelity; decision owners interpret scenarios and approve actions.

Continue exploring

The card is the simple front door. The website can hold the full system behind it.

Use the technology record to connect applications, processes, enablers, risks, controls, evidence, and implementation experience without placing all of it on the printable card.

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