Stakeholder-centric whole-lifecycle framework for guiding the development and implementation of construction digital twins

Construction Digital Twins (CDTs) are increasingly recognised for their potential to improve construction project management. However, successful implementation requires more than just deploying technology; it demands a stakeholder-centric, whole-system lifecycle approach. Existing frameworks are largely technocentric, focusing on technical demonstrations in isolated use cases and offering limited guidance on stakeholders' roles, interactions, and system lifecycle considerations. To address these gaps, this paper introduces a socio-technical CDT framework spanning five lifecycle stages: Define, Design, Deploy, Refine, and Decommission. Grounded in an eight-month longitudinal industrial case study and informed by a CDT triad taxonomy (applications, data, technologies), the framework guides CDT development and maps stakeholder engagement throughout its lifecycle. Stakeholders are categorised into four actor groups: Strategic, Advisory, Technical, and Operational, whose interdependencies are conceptualised through an actor role model. The framework extends CDT applicability beyond controlled demonstrations to real project contexts, while emphasising the need for validation across diverse organisational settings. • Framework based on CDT triad taxonomy and 8-month longitudinal case study. • Integrates socio-technical, system lifecycle, and temporary organisation perspectives. • Defines five CDT lifecycle stages, from system definition to decommissioning. • Actor-role model maps stakeholders' roles and interactions across CDT lifecycle. • Guide development and implementation of CDT in construction projects.