A complete digital twin service lifecycle
From initial use case discovery through to long-term operation and continuous improvement.A successful digital twin program requires a clear understanding of business outcomes, a pragmatic architecture, a robust implementation, dependable operation, and a feedback loop that keeps the twin aligned with the real world it represents. If you're just starting out, our Fast Start consulting offerings provide fixed-price entry points into this journey.
Stage 01Requirements & Discovery
Every digital twin should begin with a clearly articulated set of business outcomes, stakeholders, use cases and constraints.
Executive workshops
Align on vision, value drivers and success criteria with stakeholders.
Use case mapping
Identify, prioritise and value-map candidate use cases.
Current-state assessment
Audit available data sources, systems and 3D / spatial assets.
Capability gap analysis
Map needs against the DTC Capabilities Periodic Table and your existing stack.
Non-functional needs
Performance, scalability, security, privacy and compliance requirements.
Roadmap & business case
High-level delivery roadmap with an indicative value and cost case.
Fast Start: Discovery Day
A fixed-price, one-day executive workshop that delivers the core of this discovery activity.
Stage 02Design & Architecture
Once priorities are clear, the twin needs an architecture that fits the organisation's data, infrastructure and operating model.
Solution architecture
Data, integration, analytics, AI/ML, visualisation and user experience layers.
Information model
Ontology design - the "things", relationships and properties the twin will represent.
Data architecture
Ingestion, streaming, contextualisation, storage and time-series handling.
Integration design
OT/IoT systems, enterprise apps, BI tools and 3D / CAD content.
Deployment topology
On-premise, private cloud, public cloud or hybrid - with edge considerations.
Delivery plan
Estimation, sequencing and milestones tied to value targets.
Stage 03Implementation & Build
Implementation turns the design into a working twin.
Platform setup
Configuration across server, client and edge components.
Data integration
Ingestion pipelines from control systems, historians, IoT, engineering and enterprise platforms.
Twin modelling
Assets, processes and behaviours represented in the graph and time-series structures.
3D content prep
Convert CAD, BIM, point cloud or game-engine assets for use in the twin.
Custom extensions
Analytics, simulation, AI/ML and visualisation tailored to the use case.
UX & dashboards
Across browser, desktop, mobile, VR and AR clients.
Fast Start: Buildathon & POC Enabler
A one-day Buildathon for hands-on team training, then a five-day POC Enabler that delivers a focused, demo-ready twin for a single use case.
Stage 04Deployment & Integration
Moving from a proof of concept to a production-grade environment requires careful deployment and integration work.
Infrastructure as Code
Repeatable, auditable provisioning across all environments.
Containerised deployment
Across development, test and production landscapes.
Identity & access
Authentication, role-based authorisation and policy integration.
Network & edge
Firewall, gateway and edge connectivity for OT/IoT data flows.
Cutover & migration
Data migration, parallel-run strategies and go-live planning.
User onboarding
Training material, role-based guides and rollout support.
Stage 05Operation, Hosting & Support
Once live, the twin must be reliably operated and supported through its lifetime.
Managed hosting
Shared, dedicated or fully bespoke hosting configurations.
Self-hosted support
On-premise or your own cloud account, supported by our team.
Monitoring & alerting
Across server, client and edge tiers with capacity management.
Backup & DR
Backup, disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
Security operations
Patching, vulnerability scanning and incident response.
Tiered support
Self-service, email, web and phone support to match the SLO.
Stage 06Review & Continuous Improvement
A digital twin is a living system that evolves as the physical assets, processes and business priorities it represents change.
Service reviews
Periodic reviews against agreed KPIs and value targets.
Model & data quality
Accuracy assessments and data quality remediation.
Architecture review
Re-evaluate scale, scope and technology decisions as the twin matures.
Roadmap refresh
Re-prioritise new use cases, integrations and capabilities.
Cost optimisation
Optimise cost, performance and operational footprint.
Retire & archive
Decommission and archive use cases that have run their course.
Stage 07Training, Enablement & Advisory
Sustainable digital twin programs build capability inside the organisation.
Executive briefings
Strategy workshops for leadership and sponsors.
Practitioner training
Architect, developer and operator training programs.
Buildathons & sprints
Hands-on innovation sprints to translate ideas into demos.
Centre of Excellence
CoE setup, governance and operating-model support.
Independent advisory
Vendor-neutral technology and platform advisory.
Kickstarter bundle
Discovery, training and a focused proof of concept - bundled into one fixed-price engagement.