From physical site to digital insight; Real-time site data and digital twins for project management in the construction execution phase

Sammanfattning

The construction industry is characterized by complexity and fragmented information flows. At the same time, the sector continues to face challenges related todelays, cost overruns, and safety risks during the execution phase. This study aimsto evaluate the potential of vision-based Digital Twin (DT) concepts and visualsite documentation as support tools for project management in the constructionindustry. Particular attention has been given to practical applicability and the userperspective. As such, the study is relevant for construction professionals, projectmanagers, site managers, technology providers, and researchers interested in howdigital tools can support more proactive and data-informed management practices.This study follows a qualitative research design, combining a literature review withempirical data from exploration of Dalux SiteWalk, interviews and a workshop withconstruction professionals, and practical testing of AI-supported safety risk detection using 360° site imagery. The theoretical foundation builds on a combination ofconstruction project management theory, vision-based site documentation and DTconcepts, DT maturity levels, AI, and Computer Vision (CV).The findings show that vision-based DTs currently create value mainly throughpassive documentation, visualization, traceability, remote site access, and improvedsituational awareness. However, their potential extends further, for example, in relation to progress monitoring, deviation detection, cost and schedule control, qualityassurance, and safety management, particularly when combined with AI and CV.At the same time, the study identifies limitations related to both technical and organizational maturity, workflow integration, data quality, user adoption, surveillanceconcerns, and the need for human validation of AI-generated outputs.The study concludes that vision-based DTs should not be understood as a readymade autonomous solution, but as a gradually maturing tool that can evolve fromvisual documentation into decision-support systems, following a conceptual fivestep framework. The framework illustrates the development path through whichconstruction organizations can build value progressively through lower and higherlevels of DT maturity