Commissioning: 3 Steps to Lean up the Commissioning Process (LeanCx)

Although commissioning is a complicated, time and resource intensive process, it is an excellent investment. Taking short cuts decreases project quality and value. However there is a LEAN approach to commissioning that could save you money and help you to develop your own commissioning capabilities. LeanCx is a commissioning services approach that includes lean and collaborative project delivery with a high level of owner involvement.

Step 1: Lean Project Management

The concept of Lean Project Management is to develop a project delivery plan that will enable the team to be successful while eliminating waste in the project delivery process.

The Lazy Project Manager formula works for commissioning: spend the most time up front clearly defining the process, roles and responsibilities and integrating commissioning (quality) into the project. This frees up time to spend time at the backend of a project where it is most required and of most value.  

By taking a lazy approach it will reduce the cost of construction, enable contractors and designers to be more successful, and increase value to owners and occupants.

The goal is to get it built right the first time!

Step 2:  Creating a High Involvement Cx Team 

Hiring qualified contractors and holding them accountable for delivering a fully functional project is the key to lowering the cost of commissioning. By taking a “scrappy” hands on approach to working with the team the project will be better coordinated and the players will know what is expected and acceptable in terms of quality and performance. With everyone working together it takes less time to reach the end! For this reason it does not make sense to hire the mission critical controls contractor on low price if they are a liability rather than an asset for delivering a successful fully functional facility.

Step 3: Operations Participation in the LeanCx Process

An important aspect of commissioning is to harness the knowledge and talents of the operations staff. IDI encourages a high level of owner involvement in developing the design and in participating in the commissioning process whenever this is feasible. This can result in a significant commissioning credit.

There is no efficiency if operators do not understand the building systems. 

LeanCx Summary

By including these steps in your Project Management Plan and by treating commissioning as a risk and quality control process you can reduce the cost of rework, deliver projects that are less stressful and reduce the cost of commissioning.