Project Management for the Commissioning Process Strategies for Controlling Projects and Avoiding Overruns

Commissioning projects introduce unique challenges that require more than technical knowledge—they demand disciplined project management. This course provides a practical roadmap for managing CxP projects from initiation through closeout, with a focus on risk mitigation, resource planning, and stakeholder coordination. Participants will gain tools to manage contracts, control scope creep, and lead commissioning teams with confidence and clarity.

View course details

Who Should Attend?

Commissioning authorities (CxAs) and project managers overseeing CxP efforts
Engineers, architects, and facility managers involved in capital projects
Contractors, O&M staff, and consultants working on commissioned systems

What You Will Learn

Develop and implement a structured project management plan tailored to commissioning projects.
Identify and mitigate risks, manage resources, and control project scope and budget.
Apply leadership, communication, and ethical decision-making skills to guide successful CxP efforts.

Course Details: RA01570-E207

Online course agenda

Download online course agenda here.

Session 01 – Overview/Definitions

What is Project Management?
Why Project Management?
Attributes of the Cx Project Manager
Definitions – Project, Portfolio, Program, Business Strategy, Business Case, Overruns, etc.
A 5-Stage Project Management process framework: Initiate, Plan, Execute, Control, Close

Session 02 – Project Initiation and Pursuit

Key PM Plan elements
Risk assessment and Go/No-Go
Scope development guidance
Early scope creep strategies
Estimating/negotiating fees

Session 03 – Planning and Contracting

Developing the PM Plan
Developing project requirements
Risk management
Contract preparation & guidance

Session 04 – Scheduling and Time Management

Why Schedule Management?
Types of schedules
Elements of a detailed schedule
Creating, maintaining and controlling schedules
Time management tips

Session 05 – Allocating Resources

Why Resource Management?
Elements of the Resource Management Role
Creating, maintaining and controlling resource plans

Session 06 – Quality Considerations

Definition and importance of quality
Quality assurance vs quality control
The CxPlan as the quality plan
Cx Team member roles/responsibilities

Session 07 – Mobilization, Billing and Control

Key financial terminology
Project Management tools/techniques
Accounting/controlling project financial data
Strategies for mitigating and/or controlling scope creep

Session 08 – Closeout

Importance of proper project closeouts
Challenges/advantages of completing a project well
Creatively think and discuss how to improve closeout activities

Session 09 – Ethical Considerations

Definition of ethics
Importance of ethics for PMs
Handling common ethical issues in the Cx industry

Session 10 – Communication, Leadership and Teamwork

Fundamentals of effective communication
Importance of personality types
Techniques for dealing with difficult people
Leadership and management compared
Key attributes of leadership
Principles of teamwork

Instructor
Ian McIntosh
Program Director
Dr. Ian McIntosh 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.
Program Director
Ian McIntosh

Learn more about why CxA's need project management skills in this interview with Ian McIntosh.

Prior knowledge of the ASHRAE Guideline 0 Commissioning Process is highly recommended. Both owner-led and third-party commissioning projects will benefit.

This course is one of the specialized-topic offerings designed to complement The Commissioning Process for Delivering Quality Constructed Projects course. Completion of this course, in combination with The Commissioning Process for Delivering Quality Constructed Projects, fulfills the education/training requirements of the UW Commissioning Provider certifications.

This course has been approved for 14 LU AIA credits.

Total Credits:

CEU 1.4,

LU 14,

PDH 14,

Applies to this Certificate:

Qualified Commissioning Process Provider (QCxP) Option 1,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

Course Details: RA01570-E210

Online course agenda

Download online course agenda here.

Session 01 – Overview/Definitions

What is Project Management?
Why Project Management?
Attributes of the Cx Project Manager
Definitions – Project, Portfolio, Program, Business Strategy, Business Case, Overruns, etc.
A 5-Stage Project Management process framework: Initiate, Plan, Execute, Control, Close

Session 02 – Project Initiation and Pursuit

Key PM Plan elements
Risk assessment and Go/No-Go
Scope development guidance
Early scope creep strategies
Estimating/negotiating fees

Session 03 – Planning and Contracting

Developing the PM Plan
Developing project requirements
Risk management
Contract preparation & guidance

Session 04 – Scheduling and Time Management

Why Schedule Management?
Types of schedules
Elements of a detailed schedule
Creating, maintaining and controlling schedules
Time management tips

Session 05 – Allocating Resources

Why Resource Management?
Elements of the Resource Management Role
Creating, maintaining and controlling resource plans

Session 06 – Quality Considerations

Definition and importance of quality
Quality assurance vs quality control
The CxPlan as the quality plan
Cx Team member roles/responsibilities

Session 07 – Mobilization, Billing and Control

Key financial terminology
Project Management tools/techniques
Accounting/controlling project financial data
Strategies for mitigating and/or controlling scope creep

Session 08 – Closeout

Importance of proper project closeouts
Challenges/advantages of completing a project well
Creatively think and discuss how to improve closeout activities

Session 09 – Ethical Considerations

Definition of ethics
Importance of ethics for PMs
Handling common ethical issues in the Cx industry

Session 10 – Communication, Leadership and Teamwork

Fundamentals of effective communication
Importance of personality types
Techniques for dealing with difficult people
Leadership and management compared
Key attributes of leadership
Principles of teamwork

Instructor
Ian McIntosh
Program Director
Dr. Ian McIntosh 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.
Program Director
Ian McIntosh

Learn more about why CxA's need project management skills in this interview with Ian McIntosh.

Prior knowledge of the ASHRAE Guideline 0 Commissioning Process is highly recommended. Both owner-led and third-party commissioning projects will benefit.

This course has been approved for 14 LU AIA credits.

Total Credits:

CEU 1.4,

LU 14,

PDH 14,

Applies to this Certificate:

Qualified Commissioning Process Provider (QCxP) Option 1,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

If you cannot attend, please notify us by no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Because this course has limited enrollment, cancellation received after this date and no-shows are subject to the full course fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

Once you have accessed the online course, exam and/or materials, no cancellations or refunds are permitted.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

Project Management for the Commissioning Process Strategies for Controlling Projects and Avoiding Overruns

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA01570-E207

Online course agenda

Instructor

Ian McIntosh

Program Director

Course Administration

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Stay Connected

Course Details: RA01570-E210

Online course agenda

Instructor

Ian McIntosh

Program Director

Course Administration

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Stay Connected

Project Management for the Commissioning Process Strategies for Controlling Projects and Avoiding Overruns

2027 and later

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA01570-E207

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Expanded accordion Additional Information

Course Administration

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Stay Connected

Course Details: RA01570-E210

Expanded accordion Course Outline

Expanded accordion Course Schedule

Expanded accordion Course Notes

Expanded accordion Instructor and Program Director

Expanded accordion Additional Information

Course Administration

Expanded accordion Fee Information

Expanded accordion Discounts

Expanded accordion Payment Options

Expanded accordion Cancellation Policy

Stay Connected

Related Courses

Certification Orientation/Review and Examination For Accredited Commissioning Process Provider

Leading the Commissioning Process Step-by-Step Strategies for New Construction Projects

Commissioning Building Enclosure Assemblies and Systems

Building Enclosure Commissioning Certification Examination

The Commissioning Process for Delivering Quality Constructed Projects

Past Courses

Project Management for the Commissioning Process

Project Management for the Commissioning Process

Project Management for the Commissioning Process

Project Management for the Commissioning Process