Evolution at the Core of Digital Twin Engineering

Engineering Digital Twins (EDT) presents a multifaceted challenge that extends beyond managing the lifecycle of a Digital Twin (DT) to include its continuous, dynamic interaction with the lifecycle of the actual object, system, or process it represents, referred to as the Actual Twin (AT). The relationship between the lifecycles of DT and AT necessitates a rethinking of the software development lifecycle of DTs. This vision paper examines the deeply intertwined lifecycles of DT and AT, arguing that effective methods for EDT must embrace the mutual and adaptive evolution of both over time. We propose placing evolution at the core of EDT. We identify key triggers of DT evolution, examine the engineering dimensions involved, and explore how the best practices, technologies, and tools of DevOps can support this evolution. Finally, we discuss current challenges and opportunities in the field. This paper serves as a call to action for the EDT community to adopt evolution as a crucial factor and core principle in EDT.