New HR Tool Aims to Prepare Workforces for Digital Twinning
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are developing a groundbreaking tool designed to help employers and human resources teams prepare for the integration of digital twinning technologies in the workplace. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical systems—are revolutionizing sectors such as transport, manufacturing, construction, and energy by enabling rapid, cost-effective testing and decision-making.
The innovative project is part of the national research hub TransiT, a collaborative initiative between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow. TransiT aims to support the decarbonization of the UK’s transport sector through the use of digital twinning and related technologies.
Understanding Human Capital for Digital Transformation
To ensure organizations are equipped for this digital shift, researchers are creating a Human Capital Readiness Index for Digital Twinning. This index will help companies assess their workforce’s preparedness for implementing and working with digital twins, identifying both technical expertise and behavioral competencies required.
Dr. Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik, an Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Business School and a researcher with TransiT, emphasized the broader implications of adopting digital twins. “Because digital twins change how decisions are made, adopting them is not just a technical challenge. It also demands new skills, mindsets and ways of working across organizations,” he explained.
He added that the index will evaluate the specific human resource needs of an organization and the behavioral capabilities essential for effectively using digital twins. For example, teams at a logistics company might require advanced skills in cybersecurity, data analytics, or artificial intelligence to utilize transport-related digital twins effectively.
Addressing Behavioral Challenges
Aside from technical skills, behavioral adaptability is also a significant focus. Dr. Mubarik noted that while digital twins can enhance operations, they may also lead to information overload if not managed properly. “We look at what capabilities are needed to make sense of that information and act on it,” he said.
The Human Capital Readiness Index will be available as a user-friendly online tool. Organizations will input data about their workforce and operational context to receive a readiness score, accompanied by tailored recommendations for enhancing their preparedness through training, recruitment, or internal development programs.
From Research to Practical Implementation
Dr. Mubarik is part of TransiT’s Work Package 2, which focuses on human factors and explores how people interact with and make transport-related decisions using digital technology. With a background in industrial economics, his research explores how human capital, technological innovation, and digital tools reshape industrial value chains with an emphasis on sustainability and resilience.
His co-authored book, Human Capital, Innovation and Disruptive Digital Technology, serves as a foundation for the methodologies being adapted for the digital twinning readiness index. A Ph.D. student has also joined the TransiT team to assist in developing and testing the tool further.
Supporting a Net-Zero Future
Digital twins are rapidly becoming integrated into everyday industrial operations. Within TransiT, researchers are developing a network of connected digital twins to represent the UK’s transport ecosystem. These digital tools will enable transport operators and travelers to identify low-emission and cost-effective routes across road, rail, air, and maritime transport.
“Our readiness index will help organizations perform a gap analysis,” said Dr. Mubarik. “We can then suggest specific training or development programs to ensure they can fully leverage digital twin technologies.”
The TransiT initiative is focused on identifying the lowest-cost, least-risk pathways to achieving net-zero emissions in UK transport. By aligning technological innovation with a deep understanding of human capabilities, the team aims to fast-track the benefits of digital twins while ensuring a smooth and well-managed transition for organizations and their employees.
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