Leading the Commissioning Process Step-by-Step Strategies for New Construction Projects

Developed by the Building Commissioning Association (BCA) to train industry-leading professionals, this comprehensive course walks participants through every step of the ASHRAE Commissioning Process (CxP). Attendees will experience an example project from planning through the first year of operation, including creating Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), reviewing Basis of Design (BoD) documents, and developing commissioning plans.

Through workshops, real-world case studies, and interactive group activities, attendees will learn to streamline coordination with design and construction teams, integrate commissioning specifications, and track critical project milestones. The program also focuses on quality assurance during construction and the first year of operation to achieve high-performing, reliable buildings. Prior understanding of the CxP, as defined by ASHRAE Guideline 0, is highly recommended.

Learning Outcomes:

Master the application of the Commissioning Process (CxP) from project planning to post-occupancy evaluations, following ASHRAE Guideline 0.
Develop essential tools such as Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), commissioning plans, and functional testing procedures.
Enhance collaboration with project teams to improve quality, resolve conflicts, and optimize project outcomes.

Who Should Attend:

Commissioning authorities and managers: You will gain practical experience in every stage of the CxP, giving you an advantage over your competition.

Project managers, owners, and facilities staff: Become an educated consumer of commissioning services. You will be able to request the services that meet your project needs or develop your internal skillsets.

Architects, engineers, contractors, and other project team members: Experience the CxP from the provider's point of view. You will be able to integrate your efforts on future projects for greater benefits and improved profit margins.

Course Details: RA00846-E171

Course Outline

Download the full agenda in PDF format here

MONDAY (8 AM to 5 PM)*

Course Introduction

Winning the Work–An Overview of the Business Side of Commissioning

Business aspects of commissioning
Ways to attract clients
Key selling points
How to identify target markets

You're Hired!

Introduces the "Class project" that will take participants through every stage of the commissioning process during the five-day course

Determining the Owner's Needs–Developing the Owner's Project Requirements

What the OPR includes
Why it's important
Methods available for creating the OPR
Experience an OPR workshop

Creating the OPR Document

Summarizing workshop results
Creating narratives, performance criteria, measurable goals
"Red flags" when reviewing OPRs

Forming the Commissioning Team

How and why to form a commissioning team
Roles and responsibilities
How to help an owner select an architect/engineer
How to develop a communication plan

Pulling It All Together–Formalizing Commissioning Using a Commissioning Plan

Purpose of a CxPlan
How to develop the CxPlan
Example CxPlan

TUESDAY (8 AM to 5 PM)

Meet Your Architect and Engineer

Addition of the A/E to the "project" team

What's a Basis of Design and Why Do We Need One?

Purpose and content of the BoD
Example BoD discussion

Helping the Design Team Deliver High Quality

Tools to help the design team
Checklists
Design reviews

Workshop Design Review

Workshop design review of the "class project" plans

Preparing for the Construction Phase, Part I

Pre-construction phase activities
Preparing for verification checks

Preparing for the Construction Phase, Part II

Functional test procedure development
Planning for O&M requirements

Note: A one-hour orientation session for the UW-Madison commissioning exam begins at the end of class Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY (8 AM to 5 PM)

Test Procedure Group Project

Participants develop a basic test procedure using information available at this stage in a project

How to Make Your Job Easier–Integrating Commissioning into the Process

Commissioning specifications and their role in the overall process
How to develop and integrate Cx specifications
Purpose and benefit of integrated specs

Requesting, Reviewing, and Using Submittals

Role of submittals
Why submittal review is important
How to request and review submittals
How submittals play a role in upcoming commissioning activities

Tracking Checklist Completion

Value of tracking
What information tracking provides
How tracking checklists aid in scheduling construction phase activities

Team Meetings and Conflict Resolution

Techniques for effective team building
Conflict avoidance and resolution
Commissioning team meetings

Site Visit Procedures

Tools and skills necessary to plan and execute a commissioning site visit
Importance of regular site visits
Knowledge that is gained
Effect on other members of the project team

THURSDAY (8 AM to 5 PM)

Integrating Commissioning with TAB Activities

Providing value to the owner
Understand the distinction between TAB and the commissioning process

Performing Test Procedures

Testing techniques for a variety of system types

Testing Real Systems–Hands-On Exercises; Test Intro

Group activity session
Hands-on testing experience at the course location

Reporting Techniques

Why and how to maintain regular, organized reports
Ways to resolve issues

FRIDAY (8 AM to 3 PM)

Assuring Quality O&M Documentation and Training

Importance of quality documentation and training
Features that identify documentation or training as high-quality

Occupancy and First Year of Operation

Commissioning authority's role
What types of issues or problems to expect
How to maintain involvement with the owner and project
Developing and executing seasonal tests
Preparing and executing the warranty review

Continuous Commissioning, Recommissioning, and Retro-Commissioning

Differences between these concepts
Implications of each

Spreading the Word–Final Report and Case Studies

Value and importance of the final report and case studies
Elements that go into the final report
Audience report
Value of the report to the life of the building and project

Planning a "Lessons Learned" Meeting

Meaning and purpose
Benefits available to all team members

*Registration/check-in takes place Monday 7:30 to 8 AM. Lunch is included Monday through Friday.

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

608-262-1122

866-301-1753

Lodging

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $160

Accommodations include: shuttle

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

877-773-5866

608-441-7117

More Madison Lodging Options

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors
Joy Altwies
Program Director/Instructor
Joy Altwies, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP+, is a program director for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs. Since 2004, Dr. Altwies has developed and taught continuing education courses emphasizing high-performance building design and construction, mechanical system design and operation, energy efficiency, and commissioning. She is also the program director of the Master of Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) degree program and an instructor of two graduate courses in the program.
Ian McIntosh
Program Director
Dr. Ian McIntosh is a Program Director for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro). He joined the InterPro Facilities and Building Systems team in December 2020 after being a frequent lecturer and course developer for the previous 20 years. His responsibilities include teaching, directing and business development for commissioning certification courses related to project management, existing buildings, and building enclosures. He is also the owner and founder of ianTEACH LLC, which provides innovative and strategic performance-based training and coaching to engineers, architects, construction, and facilities management professionals in various sectors of the national building industry.
Chad Dorgan
Executive Director
Dr. Dorgan currently serves as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Quality at Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely and sustainably delivers the highest quality solutions to clients across North America. He is also the Executive Director of the Design and Construction Excellence Exchange (DCX), a collaboration of design and construction companies, with owners, consultants, and insurance, technology and manufacturing companies to drive excellence across the industry.
Dr. Dorgan is a LEED Fellow of the United States Green Building Council and a Fellow member with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). He has also been recognized with several industry awards, including the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and the 2004 Benner Award from the Building Commissioning Association for making commissioning business as usual.
Stephen Turner
PRESIDENT
Stephen is a commissioning expert with over 30 years’ experience engineering, constructing, commissioning, operating, and maintaining buildings and systems. He brings deep engineering understanding and hands-on perspective to diagnosing problems and optimizing buildings. Stephen’s experience includes hundreds of new construction and renovation projects, variously as contractor, engineer, and owner. Prior to starting Stephen Turner Inc. in Providence in 2009, Stephen joined CTG Energetics, a large nationwide commissioning practice, in 2005 where he led commissioning teams on large complex projects nation-wide. Stephen worked at Brown University from 2000 to 2005 and was the commissioning coordinator for all major capital projects. He developed the University’s campus-wide commissioning program, site utilities master plan, and campus metering plan. He has provided commissioning services in over one hundred buildings across the USA and around the world.
John Villani
Vice President
Program Director
Joy Altwies

Additional Information

Total Credits:

CEU 3.8,

PDH 38,

LU/HSW 38,

Applies to this Certificate:

Qualified Commissioning Process Provider (QCxP) Option 2,

Course Administration

Fee Information

Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, and course materials

Discounts

BCA ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS members receive a 5% discount. We will verify your affiliation.
When three or more sign up from same employer, receive a 10% discount.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us by no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee.

Because this course has limited enrollment, cancellation received after this date and no-shows are subject to the full course fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

Leading the Commissioning Process Step-by-Step Strategies for New Construction Projects

Learning Outcomes:

Who Should Attend:

Stay Connected

Course Details: RA00846-E171

Course Outline

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Additional Information

Course Administration

Fee Information

Discounts

Payment Options

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Cancellation Policy

Related Courses

Past Courses

Leading the Commissioning Process

Leading the Commissioning Process: Step-by-Step Strategies for New Construction Projects