It’s no secret: in our world of building operations, there are few processes that have remained as stubbornly manual as commissioning. While buildings themselves have evolved dramatically – becoming more complex, more automated, and more data-rich; the process of verifying their performance has largely remained stuck in the clipboard era. Until now.

The Traditional Approach: Manual Testing and Documentation

Traditional commissioning typically involves a Commissioning Provider (CxP) or Building Automation Technician methodically working through a checklist, manually testing each system component, recording results, and compiling reports. This approach has several limitations:

• Time-Intensive: Testing each component individually can take weeks or even months for a large building
• Resource-Heavy: Skilled engineers must be physically present to conduct each test, and there are severe constraints in finding enough talent 
• Limited Coverage: Time constraints often mean only sampling a fraction of components
• Inconsistent Results: Different technicians may follow different procedures or these can vary from site to site, region to region, or even day to day
• Point-in-Time Verification: Testing happens once, with results that quickly become outdated

For decades, this was simply "how commissioning was done." CxPs would carry their clipboards, spend hours waiting for systems to respond to manual commands, and then spend even more hours compiling their findings into reports.

The Digital Transition: Electronic Documentation

The first wave of commissioning technology focused primarily on digitizing documentation. Paper checklists became spreadsheets and later specialized software. This solved some problems:

• Easier storage and retrieval of commissioning data
• More consistent documentation formats
• Improved report generation
• Better organization of commissioning activities

However, the actual testing remained manual. CxPs still needed to physically manipulate systems, observe responses, and record results. The process became better documented but no less labor-intensive.

The Current Reality: Process Automation

Today, many CxPs use tools that automate aspects of the commissioning process. These solutions offer:

• Digital checklists and workflows
• Automated report generation
• Standardized documentation
• Some integration with building automation systems

While valuable, these solutions primarily automate the administrative aspects of commissioning rather than the technical work itself. Engineers still need to execute tests manually, even if recording results is easier.

As we like to put it: "You automated the paperwork. Now automate the actual work."

The Future: Autonomous Commissioning

Autonomous commissioning represents a fundamental shift in approach. Rather than simply documenting manual processes, it automates the testing itself:

• Automated Test Execution: Software directly commands building systems through BAS integration
• Real-Time Verification: Responses are automatically measured and verified against requirements
• Comprehensive Coverage: Testing can cover 100% of components, not just a representative sample
• Standardized Methodology: Tests are executed exactly the same way every time
• Continuous Validation: Systems can be regularly re-verified, not just at project completion

This approach delivers dramatic improvements:

• 50% Faster Completion: Projects that once took months can be completed in weeks
• Reduced Labor Costs: CxPs and Building Automation Technicians focus on analyzing results rather than generating them
• Higher Quality: More comprehensive testing leads to better-performing buildings
• Better Documentation: Test results include complete data sets, including screenshots, not just pass/fail notations
• Operational Continuity: Commissioning can transition seamlessly into ongoing monitoring

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Case Study: School District Implementation

A large school district facing both aging infrastructure and new construction recently implemented autonomous commissioning across their portfolio. The results were transformative:

• Commissioning time reduced by 50%
• Complete testing of all terminal units, rather than the previous 10% sampling
• Standardized performance verification across diverse buildings
• Comprehensive documentation for facilities teams
• Seamless handover from construction to operations

More details on this case study can be found in our Blog! 

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The Business Impact for Commissioning Providers and Control’s Contractors

For CxPs and Controls Contractors, autonomous testing changes the business model in fundamental ways:

• Increased Capacity: The same team can handle more projects
• Higher Value Services: Focus shifts from data collection to analysis and optimization
• Recurring Revenue: Transition from project-based work to ongoing performance verification
• Competitive Differentiation: Deliver better results faster than traditional methods

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The Road Ahead

As buildings become increasingly complex and performance standards more stringent, autonomous commissioning will likely become the new standard. The question for commissioning providers is not whether to adopt these technologies, but when.

Those who embrace this evolution will find themselves able to deliver more value to clients while growing their businesses more efficiently. Those who don't may find themselves increasingly at a competitive disadvantage, still clicking through spreadsheets while their competitors' software is already running the tests.

After all, in a world where buildings are smart, shouldn't the process of commissioning be intelligent too?

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Interested in learning more about autonomous commissioning? Contact our team for a demonstration of how this technology can transform your building projects.