Enhancing Smart Manufacturing Project Planning and Control with Digital Twin: A Comprehensive Review

The rapid advancement of Industry 4.0 has positioned Digital Twin (DT) technology as a transformative tool in smart manufacturing. DTs provide real-time monitoring, simulation, and predictive analytics, offering unprecedented improvements in project planning and control. However, despite its potential, the adoption of DTs in project management faces challenges, including high implementation costs, data security concerns, and a lack of standardised frameworks. This paper critically explores the significance of DTs in improving project planning and control, analysing their applications in maintenance forecasting, optimisation of resources, and risk management in a manufacturing scenario. The findings highlight the significant efficiency gains DTs bring, such as reduced downtime and improved decision-making. However, barriers like interoperability issues and the need for industry-wide standards remain unresolved. Future studies should concentrate on standardised frameworks, AI-driven developments to improve predictive skills, and scalable DT solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Addressing these gaps will unlock the full potential of DTs in project planning, making smart manufacturing more efficient and resilient.