The Importance of Measurement and Feedback There is a need for continued measurement and feedback, since only with this continued input can we improve.

Paul Ehrlich, Ira Goldschmidt & Angela Lewis Building Intelligence Group As published   March Issue - Column

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Bill Gates, the founder and former CEO of Microsoft, has dedicated his time and efforts toward running the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  The Gates Foundation has a significant endowment and is focused on solving a series of weighty global issues including poverty, health and education.  Each year the foundation publishes a letter talking about their progress.  A few weeks ago the 2013 letter from Bill Gates was released.  The letter talks about the importance of  “Measuring Progress” and starts with a discussion of an early micrometer (“the Lord Chancellor”) that was instrumental in the development of the steam age.  Gates goes on to explain the importance of measurement and metrics for the work being funded by the foundation.  As an example one of their programs is to eradicate the spread of Polio. Being able to track and measure where the last cases remained and a plan to eradicate these was critical on the path to wipe out this disease. 

The topic of measurement made me realize the importance of measurement and feedback as we work on designing, commissioning, operating and servicing Building Automation Systems.  A good control system, by definition, utilizes feedback for accurate control.  For example if we have a DDC control loop that is modulating a chilled water valve will typically use the associated setpoint and discharge air temperature as inputs to the loop. 

It is also important that as system designers that we get feedback on how our designs operate.  Unfortunately we often end up working “open loop” and don’t have that feedback.  As a result it is not uncommon for systems not to be achieving our design goals in terms of cost, efficiency, comfort and performance.  So how do we get good feedback?  Here are a few suggestions:

• Contractor Feedback:  We get continuous feedback from our contractors, often starting before the project is released and throughout the negotiation process.  But the best place to get feedback is often while we are reviewing submittals.  Of course you need to be careful about this information.  Some of it is very useful information that may help us design the next project better, and other times it is simply pushback due to items the contractor may of overlooked.
• Commissioning:  Ideally we do commissioning on all of our control projects.  This provides us with the ability to work with the contractor and owner to make sure that the system works as it was intended.  Much of the feedback from this process is invaluable in refining both the current and future designs. 
  
• Beyond Warranty End: Unfortunately once a project is complete and into its warranty phase our involvement typically ends.  Occasionally it may extend past this point as we provide services such as measurement and verification on energy efficiency.  What is frustrating is that we are often finding that as the project goes into warranty that systems and strategies may get overridden either intentionally or inadvertently.  Ideally our measurement process would continue with the owner working with them to help provide ongoing assistance perhaps with some form of continuous training or commissioning process, or with the use of software based analytics program.
  

The other big question is what to measure.  We typically measure a series of parameters that range from project cost and variance from budget, to the amount of energy saved and the conformance to parameters including uptime and comfort. 

I agree with Gates. There is a need for continued measurement and feedback, since only with this continued input can we improve.

About the Authors

Paul and Ira first worked together on a series of ASHRAE projects including the BACnet committee and Guideline 13 – Specifying DDC Controls. The formation of Building Intelligence Group provided them the ability to work together professionally providing assistance to owners with the planning, design and development of Intelligent Building Systems. Building Intelligence Group provides services for clients worldwide including leading Universities, Corporations, and Developers. More information can be found at www.buildingintelligencegroup.com  We also invite you to contact us directly at Paul@buildingintelligencegroup.com or ira@buildingintelligencegroup.com

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