Commissioning (Cx) is the process of ensuring that all building systems are installed and perform interactively according to the design intent, the systems are efficient and cost effective and meet the user's operational needs, the installation is adequately documented and that the operators are adequately trained. Cx begins with in the planning phase and proceeds through design, construction, start-up, acceptance and training.
There are important differences between the construction phase commissioning activities such as construction observation, start up, and testing , adjusting and balancing (TAB) and building commissioning. These activities in themselves cannot meet the goals of the building commissioning. Building commissioning includes these construction phase activities as well as many other activities during design construction and occupancy.