Graduation Year
2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
D.B.A.
Degree Granting Department
Information Systems and Decision Sciences
Major Professor
T. Grandon Gill, D.B.A.
Co-Major Professor
Mark H. Taylor, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Sunil Mithas, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Robert Tiller, D.B.A.
Committee Member
Loran Jarrett, D.B.A.
Keywords
3D Model, Industry 4.0, Information Management, Lifecycle
Abstract
The Digital Twins of complex facilities, specifically 3D models created during their design, is a potentially valuable information asset. This three- article dissertation explores the business case for firms in the petrochemical process industry to manage throughout the facility lifecycle. A maturity model is provided to illustrate the stages of digital twin evolution and serves as a tool to help communicate each of the five levels of digital twin maturity achievable in various use cases. An industry analysis reviews existing literature and proposes a model to assess informing or insight value of digital twins from three perspectives. Next, an empirical findings article documents action research efforts of an anonymized oil and gas firm (referred to as “SuperMajor”) to investigate the status of digital twin lifecycle management across its enterprise. The insights from the qualitative case study of a facilitated internal focus group session is compared to a transcript of a process industry standards organization (USPI-NL) project kick off meeting, providing external validation of the findings in the action research study that digital twins are valued, but underappreciated assets. Finally, the third article journals the efforts of USPI-NL to develop a business case to manage 3D models throughout the lifecycle of complex facilities. The engaged scholar/researcher employs elaborated Action Design Research to evaluate the development stage of artifact creation and assists USPI-NL in designing meaningful artifacts that accomplish their desired objective and provide further support for adoption and maintenance of digital twin technology into the operating phase of complex facilities. Results include a compelling case for lifecycle investment in digital twins.
Scholar Commons Citation
McNair, William Randell, "Informing Complexity: The Business Case for Managing Digital Twins of Complex Process Facilities as a Valuable Asset" (2021). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/9187
Included in
Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Databases and Information Systems Commons
