[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":200},["ShallowReactive",2],{"showPreloader":3,"post-from-blueprint-to-reality-yates-digital-twin-implementation/":4,"relatedPosts":177},false,{"post":5},{"id":6,"featuredImage":7,"categories":10,"date":15,"title":16,"content":17,"editorBlocks":18,"seo":172},"cG9zdDoxMTkyMA==",{"node":8},{"sourceUrl":9},"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Digital-Twin.jpg.png",{"nodes":11},[12],{"name":13,"slug":14},"Insights","project-news","2026-08-25T22:03:48","From Blueprint to Reality: Yates’ Digital Twin Implementation","\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name of the game in construction is avoiding delays. Going from preconstruction to the actual build often means validating assumptions and adapting to real-world conditions that emerge as work begins. The goal for us, then, becomes: how do we blur the line between preconstruction and actual construction, enabling our teams to experiment and pivot as needed without delaying the project? Recent developments in construction technology have made this possible with building information modeling, or BIM.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BIM allows us to create 3D models of worksites that we can update with real-time data. That means we can compare the unfinished site to its digital counterpart, showing how it looks now and how it will look when it’s finished. By creating and manipulating digital assets, we can see how they will fit together on the actual job site and track how much material we’ll need to finish the project. BIM creates a digital twin of each job site, allowing us to problem-solve in a controlled environment.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">“Building information modeling is all about visual communication,” says Greg Smith, Yates’ Director of \u003Ca href=\"https://www.wgyates.com/about/our-services/\">BIM/VDC\u003C/a>. “We start with 3D models, but then it’s connecting all of the data associated with the construction project or creating content based on that 3D model.”\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A digital twin is a connected, visual, data-rich representation of a project that helps teams understand what has been designed, what has been built, what has changed, and what needs attention next. At its best, a digital twin gives each person the information they need for the task at hand, in a format they can understand and apply.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For construction teams, that means moving from disconnected files, outdated reports, and siloed decision-making to a shared source of truth.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a construction project, critical information such as schedules, contracts, drawings, photos, field reports, owner requirements, RFIs, submittals, and progress documentation often lives in many different places. When those systems are disconnected, teams can end up working from outdated data or incomplete context.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BIM allows everyone working on a project to access the same information from a centralized hub. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of treating the model, the field, the schedule, and the documentation as separate sources of information, the goal is to integrate them into a single coordinated environment. That connected environment gives project teams a clearer view of what is happening, what has already happened, and what still needs to happen.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connecting the Jobsite to the Model\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reality capture is one of the most important pieces of digital twin implementation because it brings real-world jobsite conditions into the digital environment.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visual AI, robotics, and drone mapping tools, along with 360-degree photo documentation platforms allow teams to capture visual records of a project over time. Those captures can be connected to floor plans, models, and progress workflows so the team can compare what is happening in the field against what was designed. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates several practical benefits.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, the team can identify discrepancies earlier. If installed conditions do not match the model, those issues can be flagged before they become more expensive to correct.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second, the team can go back in time. Once work is covered, closed, or finished, historical 360 captures can show what was behind the wall, above the ceiling, or under the slab before it was concealed.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third, progress communication becomes more visual. Instead of relying only on written updates, teams can show project stakeholders exactly what has changed.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparing Models to Reality with BIM + 360 Imagery\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using a BIM platform combines 360 imagery, BIM, laser scans, drone imagery, and spatial data into a coordinated digital twin environment. It describes its platform as unifying reality data and BIM into a single coordinated system for spatial collaboration.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This kind of workflow helps project teams compare the model to actual field conditions and achieve more accurate progress tracking. It also describes AI-powered progress tracking that aligns site captures, BIM, and schedules to help identify installation status, delays, and schedule impacts.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using 3D Modeling on Construction Sites\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here’s an example of how comparing the actual job site to the digital one helps us avoid unforeseen problems. On the left is a photo of a job site, and on the right is its digital representation. You’ll notice that not everything in the photo is real. We’ve taken digital assets, in this case, some piping and other structures, and imposed them onto the real photograph. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"481\" src=\"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1024x481.png\" alt=\"Digital twin BIM model compared with real construction site conditions\" class=\"wp-image-11926\" srcset=\"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1024x481.png 1024w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-300x141.png 300w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-768x361.png 768w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1200x564.png 1200w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image.png 1324w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By creating a finished digital representation of the room’s layout and then using those assets in the actual photograph, we can see the spatial arrangement before we start building. Previous generations of builders might’ve started adding piping to the room, only to realize halfway through that there’s a load-bearing beam in the way, or that installing the piping would leave no space for other necessary installations.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith points to coordination as one of the biggest opportunities BIM has created for the industry. “Before BIM, some conflicts weren’t discovered until crews were in the field,” he says. “Now we can catch those digitally, long before they impact the schedule or the people on site.”\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BIM makes it possible to shift coordination from the field to the planning process. “Our goal is to make sure that everything arriving on-site has already been coordinated in the model and is ready for installation,” says Smith. “By \u003Ca href=\"https://www.wgyates.com/case-studies/centurylink-technology-center-of-excellence/\">resolving conflicts\u003C/a> in the model, we can keep work moving safely, efficiently, and according to schedule.”\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Single Source of Truth for the Whole Team\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A digital twin helps answer practical questions, such as whether the work in place matches the model, what has changed since the last capture, and whether there are discrepancies between design intent and field conditions. By continuously updating the model to reflect on-site conditions, the team can use the digital version to plan and problem-solve more quickly.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That shared visibility improves teamwork. Field teams can access model information in context. VDC teams can compare reality capture against design. Project managers can track progress more accurately. Owners can see visual evidence of progress rather than relying solely on reports or static photos. When everyone is looking at the same connected information, coordination speeds up and decisions improve.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the 3D model is like a sandbox where we can try different things, it’s also similar to project management software. By comparing the unfinished site to the completed digital twin, we can track progress and stay on schedule, knowing exactly which materials are still needed, what work remains, and how close the project is to completion.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"450\" src=\"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-1024x450.png\" alt=\"Digital twin software comparing BIM model data with construction site progress\" class=\"wp-image-11927\" srcset=\"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-1024x450.png 1024w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-300x132.png 300w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-768x338.png 768w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-1200x528.png 1200w, https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1.png 1342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The software can support:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Progress tracking\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Model-to-reality comparison\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Installation verification\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Delay identification\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Owner reporting\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Historical documentation\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Coordination between office and field teams\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Augmented Reality in the field\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another major step in digital twin implementation is taking model data into the field. Tools that allow teams to view model elements in the real-world environment through augmented reality can be especially valuable when the work is hidden, buried, or difficult to visualize from drawings alone.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, after underground utilities have been installed and covered, augmented reality can help field teams understand where model elements are located relative to the physical jobsite. We use this type of software to visualize future design, verify as-builts, and support buildability planning, including underground applications.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using AI to Aid with Imaging\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI tools can help construction teams process and interpret large volumes of project information more quickly. For example, Yates has an internal AI tool that helps expedite the process of analyzing 400-page documents. Similar to how we use this large language model (LLM) AI tool, we use large visual models (LVMs) to assist with 3D modeling and identifying inconsistencies in planning that might present challenges during construction.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">“Building designs are iterative, so we may have 200 to 300 pages of 2D drawings that we have to go through today, then we get another set of drawings from the architect the next month, and another set the month after that. One of the biggest challenges for construction companies is finding what changed at each iteration,” says Smith. “Now we can use the LVMs to compare each iteration of drawings to identify changes.”\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other AI tools can support model comparison, version tracking, object attribute review, and natural-language interaction with project data. A team member could ask questions about the model, compare versions, or identify changes without manually digging through every object or attribute.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Digital Twin Implementation Really Means\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital twin implementation is not a one-time software installation. It is a process of connecting people, platforms, and project data around a shared workflow.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Yates, that means building on existing VDC strengths and continuing to integrate tools such as BIM, reality capture, augmented reality, laser scanning, drone documentation, AI, and field technology into one usable project ecosystem.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The end goal is simple: make sure everyone on the team is on the same page. When they all have access to consistent information, the path toward another completed project becomes clear. That is how a digital twin becomes a value enhancement. It helps teams see more clearly, coordinate more effectively, reduce uncertainty, and create a reliable digital record from blueprint to reality.\u003C/p>\n",[19,23,26,29,32,35,38,41,44,49,52,55,58,61,64,67,70,73,76,80,83,87,90,93,96,99,102,105,108,111,114,142,145,148,151,154,157,160,163,166,169],{"name":20,"attributes":21},"core/paragraph",{"content":22},"The name of the game in construction is avoiding delays. Going from preconstruction to the actual build often means validating assumptions and adapting to real-world conditions that emerge as work begins. The goal for us, then, becomes: how do we blur the line between preconstruction and actual construction, enabling our teams to experiment and pivot as needed without delaying the project? Recent developments in construction technology have made this possible with building information modeling, or BIM.",{"name":20,"attributes":24},{"content":25},"BIM allows us to create 3D models of worksites that we can update with real-time data. That means we can compare the unfinished site to its digital counterpart, showing how it looks now and how it will look when it’s finished. By creating and manipulating digital assets, we can see how they will fit together on the actual job site and track how much material we’ll need to finish the project. BIM creates a digital twin of each job site, allowing us to problem-solve in a controlled environment.",{"name":20,"attributes":27},{"content":28},"“Building information modeling is all about visual communication,” says Greg Smith, Yates’ Director of \u003Ca href=\"https://www.wgyates.com/about/our-services/\">BIM/VDC\u003C/a>. “We start with 3D models, but then it's connecting all of the data associated with the construction project or creating content based on that 3D model.”",{"name":20,"attributes":30},{"content":31},"A digital twin is a connected, visual, data-rich representation of a project that helps teams understand what has been designed, what has been built, what has changed, and what needs attention next. At its best, a digital twin gives each person the information they need for the task at hand, in a format they can understand and apply.",{"name":20,"attributes":33},{"content":34},"For construction teams, that means moving from disconnected files, outdated reports, and siloed decision-making to a shared source of truth.",{"name":20,"attributes":36},{"content":37},"On a construction project, critical information such as schedules, contracts, drawings, photos, field reports, owner requirements, RFIs, submittals, and progress documentation often lives in many different places. When those systems are disconnected, teams can end up working from outdated data or incomplete context.",{"name":20,"attributes":39},{"content":40},"BIM allows everyone working on a project to access the same information from a centralized hub. ",{"name":20,"attributes":42},{"content":43},"Instead of treating the model, the field, the schedule, and the documentation as separate sources of information, the goal is to integrate them into a single coordinated environment. That connected environment gives project teams a clearer view of what is happening, what has already happened, and what still needs to happen.",{"name":45,"attributes":46},"core/heading",{"content":47,"level":48},"Connecting the Jobsite to the Model",2,{"name":20,"attributes":50},{"content":51},"Reality capture is one of the most important pieces of digital twin implementation because it brings real-world jobsite conditions into the digital environment.",{"name":20,"attributes":53},{"content":54},"Visual AI, robotics, and drone mapping tools, along with 360-degree photo documentation platforms allow teams to capture visual records of a project over time. Those captures can be connected to floor plans, models, and progress workflows so the team can compare what is happening in the field against what was designed. ",{"name":20,"attributes":56},{"content":57},"This creates several practical benefits.",{"name":20,"attributes":59},{"content":60},"First, the team can identify discrepancies earlier. If installed conditions do not match the model, those issues can be flagged before they become more expensive to correct.",{"name":20,"attributes":62},{"content":63},"Second, the team can go back in time. Once work is covered, closed, or finished, historical 360 captures can show what was behind the wall, above the ceiling, or under the slab before it was concealed.",{"name":20,"attributes":65},{"content":66},"Third, progress communication becomes more visual. Instead of relying only on written updates, teams can show project stakeholders exactly what has changed.",{"name":45,"attributes":68},{"content":69,"level":48},"Comparing Models to Reality with BIM + 360 Imagery",{"name":20,"attributes":71},{"content":72},"Using a BIM platform combines 360 imagery, BIM, laser scans, drone imagery, and spatial data into a coordinated digital twin environment. It describes its platform as unifying reality data and BIM into a single coordinated system for spatial collaboration.",{"name":20,"attributes":74},{"content":75},"This kind of workflow helps project teams compare the model to actual field conditions and achieve more accurate progress tracking. It also describes AI-powered progress tracking that aligns site captures, BIM, and schedules to help identify installation status, delays, and schedule impacts.",{"name":45,"attributes":77},{"content":78,"level":79},"Using 3D Modeling on Construction Sites",3,{"name":20,"attributes":81},{"content":82},"Here’s an example of how comparing the actual job site to the digital one helps us avoid unforeseen problems. On the left is a photo of a job site, and on the right is its digital representation. You’ll notice that not everything in the photo is real. We’ve taken digital assets, in this case, some piping and other structures, and imposed them onto the real photograph. ",{"name":84,"attributes":85},"core/image",{"url":86},"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1024x481.png",{"name":20,"attributes":88},{"content":89},"By creating a finished digital representation of the room’s layout and then using those assets in the actual photograph, we can see the spatial arrangement before we start building. Previous generations of builders might’ve started adding piping to the room, only to realize halfway through that there’s a load-bearing beam in the way, or that installing the piping would leave no space for other necessary installations.",{"name":20,"attributes":91},{"content":92},"Smith points to coordination as one of the biggest opportunities BIM has created for the industry. “Before BIM, some conflicts weren’t discovered until crews were in the field,” he says. “Now we can catch those digitally, long before they impact the schedule or the people on site.”",{"name":20,"attributes":94},{"content":95},"BIM makes it possible to shift coordination from the field to the planning process. “Our goal is to make sure that everything arriving on-site has already been coordinated in the model and is ready for installation,” says Smith. “By \u003Ca href=\"https://www.wgyates.com/case-studies/centurylink-technology-center-of-excellence/\">resolving conflicts\u003C/a> in the model, we can keep work moving safely, efficiently, and according to schedule.”",{"name":45,"attributes":97},{"content":98,"level":48},"A Single Source of Truth for the Whole Team",{"name":20,"attributes":100},{"content":101},"A digital twin helps answer practical questions, such as whether the work in place matches the model, what has changed since the last capture, and whether there are discrepancies between design intent and field conditions. By continuously updating the model to reflect on-site conditions, the team can use the digital version to plan and problem-solve more quickly.",{"name":20,"attributes":103},{"content":104},"That shared visibility improves teamwork. Field teams can access model information in context. VDC teams can compare reality capture against design. Project managers can track progress more accurately. Owners can see visual evidence of progress rather than relying solely on reports or static photos. When everyone is looking at the same connected information, coordination speeds up and decisions improve.",{"name":20,"attributes":106},{"content":107},"While the 3D model is like a sandbox where we can try different things, it’s also similar to project management software. By comparing the unfinished site to the completed digital twin, we can track progress and stay on schedule, knowing exactly which materials are still needed, what work remains, and how close the project is to completion.",{"name":84,"attributes":109},{"url":110},"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-1024x450.png",{"name":20,"attributes":112},{"content":113},"The software can support:",{"name":115,"attributes":116,"innerBlocks":117},"core/list",{"ordered":3},[118,121,124,127,130,133,136,139],{"attributes":119},{"content":120},"Progress tracking",{"attributes":122},{"content":123},"Model-to-reality comparison",{"attributes":125},{"content":126},"Installation verification",{"attributes":128},{"content":129},"Delay identification",{"attributes":131},{"content":132},"Owner reporting",{"attributes":134},{"content":135},"Historical documentation",{"attributes":137},{"content":138},"Coordination between office and field teams",{"attributes":140},{"content":141},"Augmented Reality in the field",{"name":20,"attributes":143},{"content":144},"Another major step in digital twin implementation is taking model data into the field. Tools that allow teams to view model elements in the real-world environment through augmented reality can be especially valuable when the work is hidden, buried, or difficult to visualize from drawings alone.",{"name":20,"attributes":146},{"content":147},"For example, after underground utilities have been installed and covered, augmented reality can help field teams understand where model elements are located relative to the physical jobsite. We use this type of software to visualize future design, verify as-builts, and support buildability planning, including underground applications.",{"name":45,"attributes":149},{"content":150,"level":48},"Using AI to Aid with Imaging",{"name":20,"attributes":152},{"content":153},"AI tools can help construction teams process and interpret large volumes of project information more quickly. For example, Yates has an internal AI tool that helps expedite the process of analyzing 400-page documents. Similar to how we use this large language model (LLM) AI tool, we use large visual models (LVMs) to assist with 3D modeling and identifying inconsistencies in planning that might present challenges during construction.",{"name":20,"attributes":155},{"content":156},"“Building designs are iterative, so we may have 200 to 300 pages of 2D drawings that we have to go through today, then we get another set of drawings from the architect the next month, and another set the month after that. One of the biggest challenges for construction companies is finding what changed at each iteration,” says Smith. “Now we can use the LVMs to compare each iteration of drawings to identify changes.”",{"name":20,"attributes":158},{"content":159},"Other AI tools can support model comparison, version tracking, object attribute review, and natural-language interaction with project data. A team member could ask questions about the model, compare versions, or identify changes without manually digging through every object or attribute.",{"name":45,"attributes":161},{"content":162,"level":48},"What Digital Twin Implementation Really Means",{"name":20,"attributes":164},{"content":165},"Digital twin implementation is not a one-time software installation. It is a process of connecting people, platforms, and project data around a shared workflow.",{"name":20,"attributes":167},{"content":168},"For Yates, that means building on existing VDC strengths and continuing to integrate tools such as BIM, reality capture, augmented reality, laser scanning, drone documentation, AI, and field technology into one usable project ecosystem.",{"name":20,"attributes":170},{"content":171},"The end goal is simple: make sure everyone on the team is on the same page. When they all have access to consistent information, the path toward another completed project becomes clear. That is how a digital twin becomes a value enhancement. It helps teams see more clearly, coordinate more effectively, reduce uncertainty, and create a reliable digital record from blueprint to reality.",{"title":173,"metaDesc":174,"opengraphTitle":173,"opengraphUrl":175,"opengraphDescription":174,"opengraphImage":176},"Digital Twin Implementation in Construction | Yates","See how Yates uses digital twin tech, BIM, reality capture, and AI to improve coordination, track progress, and reduce construction delays.","https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/2026/08/from-blueprint-to-reality-yates-digital-twin-implementation/",{"sourceUrl":9},[178,190],{"title":179,"slug":180,"date":181,"categories":182,"featuredImage":187},"Touchplan® for Turner–Yates’ Battery Manufacturing Facility: A Scalable System for Lean Planning and Execution","touchplan-for-turner-yates-battery-manufacturing-facility-a-scalable-system-for-lean-planning-and-execution","2026-06-08T21:44:05",{"nodes":183},[184,185],{"name":13},{"name":186},"News & Press Releases",{"node":188},{"sourceUrl":189},"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Panasonic-Energy-Electric-Vehicle-Battery-Plant-Rendering-2.jpg",{"title":191,"slug":192,"date":193,"categories":194,"featuredImage":197},"Yates’ 2026 Summer Internship Applications are now open!","yates-2026-summer-internship-applications-are-now-open","2025-10-08T22:14:13",{"nodes":195},[196],{"name":13},{"node":198},{"sourceUrl":199},"https://yatescms.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Blue-Vest-Program-scaled.jpeg",1787762789360]