To assure a project's success, the design team needs to be involved in the construction process.
Developing well-detailed construction documents is an important first step in achieving energy and resource efficient projects. However, projects are not successfully completed until the building and its systems are constructed, commissioned, and fully operational according to the design intent. To assure a project's success, the design team needs to be involved in the construction process.This brief will identify some of the points in the construction process when field inspection, observation and interaction with the construction team can provide the most benefit.

Designers who complete periodic field review resolve problems early. As a result, the number of change orders is minimized and owners are more likely to receive a high performance, energy efficient building. Below are some examples that highlight the value of ongoing field review. In each case, the problems described would likely be caught during field inspections.

• Sensors that are located incorrectly may not give accurate readings. Incorrect readings may lead to unnecessary heating and cooling, resulting in increased energy costs over the life of the building.
• Adding or relocating a tap for a thermometer well once the system is operational can take a crew of tradesmen several hours to a day. Completing this work during construction would have only taken 20 minutes or less.