Digital Competencies Framework for Project Managers: Digital Twins as an Exemplar in the Smart Built Environment

Omar A. Owais¹, Mani Poshdar¹, Ali GhaffarianHoseini¹, Fei Ying², Kamal Jaafar³, Saad Sarhan⁴, Moslem Sheikhkhoshkar⁵

1. Auckland University of Technology
2. Massey University
3. University of Wollongong
4. University of Birmingham Dubai
5. Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CRAN

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 639 to 648. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_62.

Abstract

The construction industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by digitalisation that is leading to the emergence of the smart built environment (SBE). In this dynamic landscape, project managers (PMs) play a pivotal role in coordinating complex construction projects to deliver innovative and sustainable built environments. However, the rapid evolution of construction practices necessitates a re-evaluation of PM competencies to effectively navigate the challenges of the SBE. To date, there is still a scarcity of the digital competency framework. This requires a proactive approach to equip PMs with the digital competencies needed to succeed and bridge the gap in the SBE. This study aims to develop a digital competency framework through conducting a systematic literature review (SLR), to identify and contextualise the digital competencies required for PMs in the SBE. These competencies will be categorised and aligned with the attribute-based approach as a competency requirement prior to work commencement. Furthermore, the framework will be considered through the lens of Digital Twins (DTs) as an exemplary of the SBE and to demonstrate their transformative potential in construction project management through a comparative analysis to link the digital PM competencies with the requirements of the DTs. By integrating DTs’ requirements with digital PM competencies, the essential competencies necessary for PMs to leverage the capabilities of the digital era will be tested.

Keywords

Session

Presented in Track K, Saturday 9 November 2024, 11:00 to 13:00, room WG 1001, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Zahra Jalali.

How to Cite

Owais, O. A., Poshdar, M., GhaffarianHoseini, A., Ying, F., Jaafar, K., Sarhan, S., & Sheikhkhoshkar, M. (2025). Digital Competencies Framework for Project Managers: Digital Twins as an Exemplar in the Smart Built Environment. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 639–648). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_62

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.