Virtual design and construction

Virtual design and construction (VDC) is the management of integrated multi-disciplinary performance models of design–construction projects, including the product (facilities), work processes, and organization of the design – construction – operation team to support explicit and public business objectives. This is usually achieved creating a digital twin of the project, in where to manage the information.

The theoretical basis of VDC includes:

• Engineering modeling methods: product, organization, process
• Analysis methods – model-based design: including quantities, schedule, cost, 4D interactions, and process risks, these are termed building information modeling (BIM) tools
• Visualization methods
• Business metrics – within business analytics – and a focus on strategic management
• Economic impact analysis, i.e., models of both the cost and value of capital investments