Pre-Design
Set commissioning goals, define owner requirements, and establish the delivery plan.
Pre-design is where commissioning has the most influence and the least cost. Decisions taken before a line is drawn — what the building must achieve, how it will be judged, and who is accountable — set the criteria every later phase is measured against.
The work centres on the Owner’s Project Requirements: the performance, comfort, energy and maintainability outcomes the owner expects, written in terms that can actually be verified. The commissioning provider is appointed here, the scope and budget are agreed, and the Commissioning Plan is drafted so the process is embedded in normal project delivery rather than added later.
Key focus
- Cx Provider & Team
- Governance & Issues Management
- Define & Approve OPR
- Cx Scope, Budget & Plan
- Systems Manual Scope
- Embed Cx in Procurement
Roles
Owner / RepresentativeDefines project outcomes, approves requirements, and holds the team accountable for delivery.Project ManagerCoordinates commissioning scope, schedule, decisions, and communication across the project team.Commissioning ProviderPlans, leads, documents, and verifies the commissioning process from pre-design through occupancy.MEP DesignerDevelops the basis of design and incorporates testable commissioning requirements into the documents.Building OperatorBrings operational knowledge to reviews, training, acceptance, and long-term building performance.
Steps in this phase
1. Select and appoint the Commissioning ProviderAfter reading this guide, you will be able to procure and appoint an independent Commissioning Provider before design begins. You will know how to run a qualifications-based selection and lock in a contract that gives your CxP enforceable authority to direct testing and withhold sign-off.2. Form your commissioning team and issue the Cx Organization ChartAfter reading this guide, you will be able to understand how to form an independent commissioning team, verify stakeholder decision authority, preserve the Commissioning Provider’s (CxP) independence, and issue an accepted Cx Organization Chart.3. Establish meetings and progress reporting guidelinesLearn how to set pre-design commissioning meeting cadences, 48-hour minute rules, and progress reporting guidelines aligned with ASHRAE Guideline 0.4. Build and maintain CxP Team cohesion and cooperation.5. Conduct and document a lessons learned review.6. Establish the Issues Log format and procedureTBC7. Develop the Owner's Project Requirements [OPR]TBC8. Obtain formal Owner acceptance of the OPRTBC9. Define the commissioning scope and budgetTBC10. Write the Initial Commissioning PlanTBC11. Obtain formal Owner acceptance of the Initial Cx PlanTBC12. Define the scope and format of the Systems ManualTBC13. Establish minimum Cx programme requirementsTBC14. Support RFP preparation for design servicestbc15. Instruct the design consultanttbc16. Verify Cx obligations are embedded in the design consultant's executed appointmenttbc17. Integrate Cx milestones into the project programmetbc18. Track and manage issues and deviationstbc19. Conduct the pre-design commissioning reviewA practical commissioning workflow for conduct the pre-design commissioning review.20. Issue the Pre-Design Closeout Report and obtain Owner acceptancetbc