This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Course Outline
Online course agenda:
Download the full online agenda in pdf format here
Classroom (in person) course agenda:
Download the full in-person agenda in pdf format here
Topics
Introduction and Course Orientation
Overview of the Commissioning Process (CxP)
- What is the ASHRAE Guideline 0 commissioning process?
- Current best practice
- What is a quality delivery process?
- Benefits of the commissioning process
- What occurs in each phase of project delivery?
Pre-Design Phase Commissioning Tasks (Part 1)
Developing the owner’s project requirements (OPR)
- Owner’s workshop: preparation and participants, nominal group technique, procedures and results
The Owner’s Project Requirements Workshop
- Executing an OPR workshop
- Determining which questions to ask – project success criteria
- Class activity: OPR workshop in action
Pre-Design Phase Commissioning Tasks (Part 2)
- Planning the CxP effort
- Commissioning plan fundamentals, key milestones, structure
- Evaluating the benefits of pre-design phase involvement
- The CxP as a strategic quality plan
Class Workshop: Defining CxP Needs
Developing the OPR Document
- Review of key OPR concepts
- Typical information required to develop needs
- Steps in document creation
- Group Activity: discussion of example document
CxP Activities in the Design Phase
- Pre-design meetings
- Design checklists
- Basis of design development
- CxP design review process
- CxPlan update
Design Review Workshop
- Group workshop using the four steps of a CxP design review procedure
Commissioning Specifications
- Format options
- Types of requirements: contractor participation; maintainability; checklist implementation; shop drawings, training, and systems manual; testing and verification
- Group specifications activity
Commissioning Process Checklists
- Purpose, goals
- Use in all project phases
- Construction checklists: development, tracking methods, verification, statistical sampling
- Checklist work session
Systems Manual and Training
- Systems manual (role in all phases)
- Training (role in all phases)
Construction Phase CxP Tasks
- Pre-construction activities (pre-bid, workshops, partnering)
- Cx meetings and coordination, role of the CxA
- Tracking commissioning activities
- Cx schedule
- Testing
- Commissioning reports
- Benefits/issues log
Commissioning Process Tests
- Developing test protocols
- Confirmation of readiness
- Implementation steps
- Documentation
- Group workshop
Integrating CxP with Contractor Efforts
- Quality processes
- Overlaps and gaps
Acceptance Phase, First Year of Operation, and Beyond
- Training
- Systems manual
- Project CxP report(s)
- Warranty review and seasonal testing
- On-going commissioning
Electronic and Web-Based Commissioning Tools
- Computer tools for site tracking
- Electronic systems manuals
Analyzing the Benefits of Commissioning: Case Studies
- Scope of commissioning
- Detailed cost analysis
- Benefits and lessons learned
Special Topics in the CxP
- Review of LEED Cx process
- Review of existing building Cx process
Additional Information
This course can be taken in combination with one of the two-day special-topic elective courses to fulfill the education/training requirements of the UW Commissioning Provider certifications. The current list of special-topic electives can be found on the UW Commissioning Provider certifications page.
This course has been approved for 24 LU/HSW AIA CEUs.
Course Schedule
Registration Date/Time:
9/22/2025 10:30am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 9/22/2025 11:00am - 4:00pm Central Time
- 9/23/2025 11:00am - 4:00pm Central Time
- 9/24/2025 11:00am - 4:00pm Central Time
- 9/25/2025 11:00am - 4:00pm Central Time
- 9/26/2025 11:00am - 3:00pm Central Time
Program Director & Instructors
Program Director
Joy Altwies
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.
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.
Chad Dorgan
Executive Director
Dr. Chad Dorgan is a Founding Partner of Fractal CSOs, an international organization composed of previous and current chief sustainability officers providing fractional sustainability leadership to companies to define and drive sustainability from their core values, using quality foundational elements to establish robust and integrated programs.
Throughout Chad's 30-plus-year career in the engineering, consulting, construction, and test/inspection/certification industries, he has played a significant role in the evolution of sustainability and quality in the built environment. Dr. Dorgan's past roles include driving Sustainability Solutions for SGS, Vice President - Sustainability and Quality for McCarthy Building Companies Inc., and executive leader of Dorgan Associates/Farnsworth Group, a consulting firm focused on the transfer of technology from research to application.
Chad started his career as a mechanical engineer in the US Air Force, where he was in charge of a 60-person operations and maintenance squadron during Desert Storm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is a LEED Fellow of the United States Green Building Council and a Fellow member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Chad 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. Dr. Dorgan graduated from the University of Wisconsin, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Ph.D. Indoor Air Quality.
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.
Chad Dorgan
Executive Director
Dr. Chad Dorgan is a Founding Partner of Fractal CSOs, an international organization composed of previous and current chief sustainability officers providing fractional sustainability leadership to companies to define and drive sustainability from their core values, using quality foundational elements to establish robust and integrated programs.
Throughout Chad's 30-plus-year career in the engineering, consulting, construction, and test/inspection/certification industries, he has played a significant role in the evolution of sustainability and quality in the built environment. Dr. Dorgan's past roles include driving Sustainability Solutions for SGS, Vice President - Sustainability and Quality for McCarthy Building Companies Inc., and executive leader of Dorgan Associates/Farnsworth Group, a consulting firm focused on the transfer of technology from research to application.
Chad started his career as a mechanical engineer in the US Air Force, where he was in charge of a 60-person operations and maintenance squadron during Desert Storm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is a LEED Fellow of the United States Green Building Council and a Fellow member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Chad 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. Dr. Dorgan graduated from the University of Wisconsin, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Ph.D. Indoor Air Quality.
Sarah Maston
Director, Commissioning & Energy Services
Sarah Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP BD+C, Director for Colliers Project Leaders, Commissioning and Energy Services Division, is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience in mechanical/ HVAC systems evaluation, troubleshooting, design, startup, and commissioning for a variety of project types.
Serving as lead commissioning authority for new construction projects as well as existing building commissioning projects, her responsibilities include facilitating Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) workshops, project management, performing building system assessments, developing commissioning plans, design reviews, specifications, system readiness, system evaluations and facilitating functional performance tests. She also follows up with occupants to evaluate comfort and review 10-month warranty meetings.
She serves on ASHRAE’s Board of Directors as a Vice-President. She is also the Vice-Chair of Technology Council and a member of the Advanced Energy Design Guide Steering Committee as well as the Epidemic Task Force.
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.
Chad Dorgan
Executive Director
Dr. Chad Dorgan is a Founding Partner of Fractal CSOs, an international organization composed of previous and current chief sustainability officers providing fractional sustainability leadership to companies to define and drive sustainability from their core values, using quality foundational elements to establish robust and integrated programs.
Throughout Chad's 30-plus-year career in the engineering, consulting, construction, and test/inspection/certification industries, he has played a significant role in the evolution of sustainability and quality in the built environment. Dr. Dorgan's past roles include driving Sustainability Solutions for SGS, Vice President - Sustainability and Quality for McCarthy Building Companies Inc., and executive leader of Dorgan Associates/Farnsworth Group, a consulting firm focused on the transfer of technology from research to application.
Chad started his career as a mechanical engineer in the US Air Force, where he was in charge of a 60-person operations and maintenance squadron during Desert Storm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is a LEED Fellow of the United States Green Building Council and a Fellow member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Chad 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. Dr. Dorgan graduated from the University of Wisconsin, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Ph.D. Indoor Air Quality.
Sarah Maston
Director, Commissioning & Energy Services
Sarah Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP BD+C, Director for Colliers Project Leaders, Commissioning and Energy Services Division, is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience in mechanical/ HVAC systems evaluation, troubleshooting, design, startup, and commissioning for a variety of project types.
Serving as lead commissioning authority for new construction projects as well as existing building commissioning projects, her responsibilities include facilitating Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) workshops, project management, performing building system assessments, developing commissioning plans, design reviews, specifications, system readiness, system evaluations and facilitating functional performance tests. She also follows up with occupants to evaluate comfort and review 10-month warranty meetings.
She serves on ASHRAE’s Board of Directors as a Vice-President. She is also the Vice-Chair of Technology Council and a member of the Advanced Energy Design Guide Steering Committee as well as the Epidemic Task Force.
Ian McIntosh
Program Director
Dr. Ian McIntosh, PhD, CxM, 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.
He is an Accredited Commissioning Process Manager (CxM) with over twenty years of dedicated experience in Total Building Commissioning (a quality process) and has managed numerous energy, commissioning, retro-commissioning, and LEED® commissioning projects throughout the nation. As a Commissioning Provider and Mechanical Engineer, Dr. McIntosh has prepared and led several Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) workshops, written and integrated numerous commissioning specifications, co-invented and implemented electronic bar-coded checklists, system manuals and tracked owner cost savings. He has also executed hands-on in-depth field work, performed functional performance testing of complex HVAC systems/subsystems and coordinated full-scale operation & maintenance (O&M) and user training programs.
Ian holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the City College of the City University of New York (CCNY) and earned his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the Solar Energy Lab at UW-Madison. He and his wife of 18 years like to spend quality time with their four children.