<p>Whatever the reason for undertaking <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/steps-safe-renovation-and-repair-activities">renovation work</a>, the renovation process can be complex, time-consuming, and, at times, costly. As such, it is essential to have a clear plan in place before starting any work to minimize the risk of going over budget or encountering unforeseen problems.</p>
<h2><a id="The-Definitions-of-Common-Renovation-Terms"></a>The Definitions of Common Renovation Terms</h2>
<p>When it comes to renovating properties, there are a lot of terms and phrases that you might not be familiar with. Here are some common renovation terms that you might encounter while planning your project:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Blueprints</strong> &#8211; An architect or designer will use drawings to illustrate the makeover. They will include the dimensions, materials, and types of fasteners.</li>
<li><strong>Building Inspector</strong> &#8211; The inspector checks to ensure the remodel follows the building codes and ordinances. They do this by looking at the blueprints and reviewing how the job goes.</li>
<li><strong>Change the House Footprint</strong> &#8211; A house&#8217;s footprint is the house&#8217;s overall size, including the attached garage and porch. Changing the footprint means changing the size of the house, which usually happens when you are adding on to the home.</li>
<li><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/building-demolition/"><strong>Demolition</strong></a> &#8211; Removing old items, materials, wall coverings, or walls inside your home is the first step of a remodel. It will open up and clear the space for renovations and upgrades.</li>
<li><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/project-delivery/"><strong>Design-Build</strong></a> &#8211; Some remodeling or new home construction companies can do the design work, like creating architectural drawings and the actual remodeling or construction work. This way, homeowners only have to work with one company during their entire project.</li>
<li><strong>Footings</strong> &#8211; Reinforcement for concrete is through rebar. The rebar helps to support the foundation and the rest of the structure. Building codes determine the size and depth of the footing.</li>
<li><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/general-contractor/"><strong>General Contractor</strong></a> &#8211; The person in charge of the day-to-day work on the remodeling project is usually licensed, bonded, and insured. In case of questions or concerns, you should contact this person.</li>
<li><strong>Gut a Room</strong> &#8211; Remove everything from a room, including the walls. The framing, subfloor, and what&#8217;s inside the walls are left.</li>
<li><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/hvac-systems/"><strong>HVAC</strong></a> &#8211; An acronym stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. An HVAC contractor is responsible for ensuring these systems work properly to heat, cool, and ventilate your home.</li>
<li><strong>Mechanicals</strong> &#8211; The systems inside the walls and ceilings, such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, are essential for powering the home.</li>
<li><strong>Move a Wall</strong> &#8211; Removing a wall is a way to change the layout of a room. Depending on your needs, you can make it bigger or smaller.</li>
<li><strong>Pull a Permit</strong> &#8211; You need a building permit from your local building department if you plan to build a house. It will ensure that a building inspector looks at your plans and ensures the finished project meets all safety codes.</li>
<li><strong>Subcontractor</strong> &#8211; A contractor hired to do specific work, like plumbing or electrical.</li>
<li><strong>Subfloor</strong> &#8211; The wood flooring installed over the joists provides stability. On top of the subfloor are floor coverings like carpet, tile, or plank flooring.</li>
<li><strong>Tradespeople</strong> &#8211; Experts in a skilled trade, like roofing, tile, or electrical work. It is possible to hire these people to do subcontracting work on a project.</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="What-is-the-Difference-Between-Remodeling-and-Renovation"></a>What is the Difference Between Remodeling and Renovation?</h2>
<p>It is common to use the terms <a href="https://www.bilt.ca/2020/12/21/renovation-vs-remodel/#:~:text=To%20renovate%20means%20to%20%E2%80%9Crevive,%2C%20to%20%E2%80%9Cremake%E2%80%9D%20essentially.">remodeling and renovation</a> interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between them. <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/remodeling/">Remodeling</a> typically refers to making changes to the existing layout of a space, such as reconfiguring a kitchen or expanding a bathroom. As for <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-R/part-745/subpart-E">renovations</a>, they generally refer to repairs or updates made to existing structures. It could include anything from replacing old fixtures to repairing damage.</p>
<p>Examples of common renovations include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Repainting</li>
<li>Refacing cabinets</li>
<li>Installing new light fixtures</li>
<li>Replacing windows</li>
<li>Updating appliances</li>
<li>Adding new hardware</li>
<li>Replacing tiles or flooring</li>
<li>Replacing outdated systems</li>
</ul>
<p>Examples of common <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/remodeling/commercial-remodeling/">commercial</a> and residential remodeling projects include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Combining two rooms into one</li>
<li>Installing a kitchen island</li>
<li>Removing walls</li>
<li>Raising ceilings</li>
<li>Changing the layout of a room</li>
</ul>
<p>Both remodeling and renovation can be major projects that require significant time and effort, but the result can be worth it as changing your property can be a great way to breathe new life into it.</p>
<h2><a id="Why-is-Renovation-Necessary"></a>Why is Renovation Necessary?</h2>
<p>From time to time, every residential property needs a little bit of updating. Perhaps the kitchen is starting to look outdated, or the bathroom could use some new fixtures. Maybe the floors show their age or the paint is beginning to fade. You can breathe new life into your home by renovating. Not only will it improve your living space, but it can also add value to your property. When done right, a renovation can be a wise investment that pays off for years.</p>
<p>Of course, any construction project comes with its share of challenges. There can be disruptions to your daily routine, and unexpected costs can crop up. But with careful planning and patience, the result will be worthwhile. You can completely transform your home with a well-executed renovation, making it more comfortable, stylish, and functional. So if your home needs a facelift, don&#8217;t hesitate to start planning your next renovation project.</p>
<h2><a id="Factors-Affecting-Renovation"></a>Factors Affecting Renovation</h2>
<p>Renovation costs depend on <a href="https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/fa/treasurer/business/factors">various factors</a>. The size of the project is the most critical factor. A small bathroom will cost less than a complete kitchen gut. The second factor is the quality of materials used. High-end materials will cost more than lower-quality alternatives, but they will also last longer and increase the value of your home. The third factor is labor costs. If you hire a professional <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/general-contractor/">contractor</a>, you will pay more than if you tackle the project yourself. However, professional contractors have the experience and expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently, saving you money in the long run. Finally, the location of your home can also affect renovation costs. Homes in urban areas typically cost more to renovate than homes in rural areas due to the higher cost of labor and materials. When planning a home renovation, it is essential to consider all of these factors to estimate the total cost accurately.</p>
<h2><a id="How-Often-Should-You-Renovate-Your-Property"></a>How Often Should You Renovate Your Property?</h2>
<p>As any property owner knows, renovating a property is a big undertaking. In addition to being potentially costly, it can also cause disruption and stress. So, how often should you renovate your house? Several factors, such as your house&#8217;s age, the condition of its existing finishes, and your style preferences, play a role.</p>
<p>The materials and finishes in your house may show their age if it is older than 20 years. Moreover, newer homes often use materials and products with a shorter lifespan than older ones. It may require more frequent replacements. Renovations should also take personal preferences into account.</p>
<p>If you like to keep up with the latest trends, you may want to consider renovating more often than someone who prefers a more traditional look. Ultimately, there&#8217;s no hard and fast rule for how often you should renovate your property. However, by considering the age of your house, the condition of your finishes, and your style preferences, renovating at the right time will provide you with the best results.</p>
<h2><a id="Should-You-DIY-or-Call-a-Pro"></a>Should You DIY or Call a Pro?</h2>
<p>Considering the number of home improvement shows on television, it&#8217;s no wonder that more and more homeowners are opting to take on <a href="https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/">do-it-yourself</a> (DIY) projects. After all, it can be tempting to save money by doing the work yourself. Professionals, however, are best suited to some projects. For example, suppose you&#8217;re considering a major renovation, such as adding an addition to your home. For that reason, you should consult an architect or designer.</p>
<p>Additionally, a licensed contractor should always perform complex electrical or plumbing work. It will not only protect your safety but also prevent costly mistakes. Consider the scope of the project and your skill level when deciding whether to DIY or call a pro. The following factors will ensure the success of your renovation project.</p>
<h2><a id="What-is-the-Process-of-Renovating-a-Property"></a>What is the Process of Renovating a Property?</h2>
<p>While not every renovation project follows the same path, following a <a href="https://www.cjhole.co.uk/news/home-renovation-101-your-step-by-step-guide">strategy</a> can help you avoid extra effort. For example, closing walls and painting may be enough to satisfy your needs for the moment, but you&#8217;ll have to add a new plumbing stack that will necessitate going behind the wall again if you need more space.</p>
<p>Many projects require several phases. But, here are ten typical steps to consider.</p>
<h3>Step 1: Make a Plan</h3>
<p>Set priorities before starting your project. Decide where to begin and whether or not you have the time and money to complete the project.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Create Your Own Renovation Plan Template&#8221;]</p>
<h3>Step 2: Set a Budget</h3>
<p>Make a list of all the expenditures you&#8217;ll need to make, and come up with a final figure on how much you can spend. Allow for 10 to 20% more for unforeseen expenses.</p>
<h3>Step 3: Hire a Contractor</h3>
<p>Select a contractor with whom you are comfortable. Entering into a contract that specifies the scope of work from the start can be helpful throughout the renovation process, especially if you have multiple contractors working on your house at once.</p>
<h3>Step 4: Talk to Your Insurance Company</h3>
<p>Contact your insurance provider before and after your project to ensure you have the necessary coverage. Renovating your home can increase its value, which might necessitate increasing coverage limits to safeguard your investment better if damaged or destroyed. Ensure that the contractor has <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Trade-Practices-Division/What-to-Look-For-in-a-Home-Improvement-Contractor">valid insurance</a> as well.</p>
<h3>Step 5: Secure Permits and Order Materials</h3>
<p>Many cities require permits, which can be essential to avoid specific problems during construction. Ensure your contractor is up to date on the latest laws in your area since inspection standards vary from place to place.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;ve obtained the necessary permits, it&#8217;s time to order suitable materials, such as wood, drywall, windows, and doors.</p>
<h3>Step 6: Start Demolition</h3>
<p>Finally, it&#8217;s time to destroy things after all your supplies have been delivered to the job location and thoroughly examined. Framing generally follows if extra room is required. If you are relocating walls, installing new windows and doors is a perfect opportunity.</p>
<h3>Step 7: Work Behind the Walls</h3>
<p>It is the stage for essential work behind walls, below floors, and above ceilings—plumbing rough-ins, subfloors, insulation installation, and electrical and heating ductwork rough-ins. Next comes smooth exterior finishing with patching, drywall hanging, taping, and sanding.</p>
<h3>Step 8: Paint and Install Flooring</h3>
<p>Some contractors may want to install flooring first, while others want to prime and paint before laying down new flooring (to avoid stains from reaching the new flooring). Your contractors&#8217; availability may also determine the sequence of operations.</p>
<h3>Step 9: Install Cabinetry</h3>
<p>Following the completion of the walls and floors, the room&#8217;s actual appearance begins to emerge. Cabinets are generally put in next, with upper cabinets preceding lower ones.</p>
<h3>Step 10: Add Finishing Touches</h3>
<p>It&#8217;s time to finish minor touches and decorations, such as painting and backsplashes, floor sealing, light fixtures, hardware, and other touch-ups.</p>
<h2><a id="Top-6-Renovating-Mistakes"></a>Top 6 Renovating Mistakes</h2>
<p>Often, people believe renovating their homes is a quick and easy process. However, several things can go wrong if you&#8217;re not careful.</p>
<p>Here are six of the most <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/top-25-biggest-renovating-mistakes-pictures">common mistakes</a> people make when renovating their homes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Buying cheap materials</li>
<li>Inaccurate measurements</li>
<li>Skipping the prep work</li>
<li>Gutting everything</li>
<li>Using the wrong tools</li>
<li>Neglecting safety</li>
</ul>


Renovation: Giving Property a Fresh New Look

entrepreneurs remplaçant des carreaux de sol pour une rénovation

Construction Safety

Safety

Renovation

<p>The Kanban method was developed by David J. Anderson, a pioneer in the field of Lean, as a method for the incremental, evolutionary process and system change for knowledge work organizations.</p>
<p>Kanban gives team members a clear picture of what needs to be accomplished and when. Having everyone on the same page reduces the risk of errors and duplication of effort. In addition, Kanban can help teams to identify and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/bottleneck-analysis/">analyze bottlenecks</a> in their workflow and take steps to improve efficiency. As a process visualization tool, its popularity is not surprising. As a result, Kanban has become one of the most popular <a href="https://kanban.university/">project management methods</a> in recent years.</p>
<h2><a id="History-of-Kanban"></a>History of Kanban</h2>
<p>It started as a scheduling tool for <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/lean-manufacturing/">Lean manufacturing</a>, which originated with <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/house-of-lean/">Toyota&#8217;s Production System (TPS)</a>. Toyota began applying &#8220;<a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/just-in-time-jit/">just in time</a>&#8221; manufacturing to its production in the late 1940s. A pull mechanism characterizes the technique. Rather than push production, where products and services are produced and pushed to the market, consumer demand drives manufacturing.</p>
<p>Their distinctive production method laid the groundwork for lean manufacturing, also known as Lean. Its main goal is to minimize waste activities while maintaining efficiency. The primary aim is to create more value for the client without increasing expenses.</p>
<h2><a id="Scrum-vs-Kanban-Whats-the-Difference"></a>Scrum vs. Kanban: What&#8217;s the Difference</h2>
<p>While both are frameworks, the most significant distinction between Scrum and Kanban is that the continuous delivery model created by Kanban teams releases value as soon as they are ready, whereas <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/scrum/">Scrum</a> organizes tasks into Sprints. However, using one approach or the other depends on your process type. The Kanban approach is more personalized than Scrum, which relies on predetermined norms. A critical difference between the two is their fundamental beliefs and mentality.</p>
<h2><a id="Common-Kanban-Terms"></a>Common Kanban Terms</h2>
<p>At its most basic level, Kanban is a work method that aids in the optimization of the flow of value from idea to the customer through your value streams. Although it appears straightforward, Kanban is far more than simply a visual representation of your job. To get the most out of utilizing the approach, you must pay close attention to detail and become familiar with the basic Kanban terms and artifacts.</p>
<p>Here are the main Kanban terms you should know.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Kanban Board</strong> &#8211; A Kanban board is one of the essential elements of the Kanban method and serves as a visual representation of all work items. There should be three columns: Requested, In Progress, and Done, representing process stages.</li>
<li><strong>Kanban Card</strong> &#8211; Kanban cards track individual work items as they progress through a Kanban board. They include essential information about the tasks, such as a description, due date, size, and assignees.</li>
<li><strong>Columns</strong> &#8211; They divide the Kanban board vertically, with each one corresponding to a different step in the process. There are three default columns on each Kanban board: Requested, In Progress, and Done. The three stages, on the other hand, can be divided into smaller sub-columns depending on the intricacy of a work process.</li>
<li><strong>Swimlanes</strong> &#8211; Horizontal lanes that divide Kanban boards. Using them, teams can visually separate work types on one board and group similar activities together.</li>
<li><strong>Cycle Time</strong> &#8211; The cycle time starts when a new activity enters the &#8220;in process&#8221; phase of your workflow, and someone is working on it.</li>
<li><strong>Lead Time</strong> &#8211; Measures the amount of time it takes an assignment to complete (whether or not someone is working on it) until the day it leaves the system.</li>
<li><strong>Throughput</strong> &#8211; The number of accomplishments that go through (completed) a system or process in a set period. The throughput is an important metric that reveals your team&#8217;s productivity over a <a href="https://kanbanize.com/kanban-resources/getting-started/what-is-kanban">period of time</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Work in Progress (WIP)</strong> &#8211; The amount of work you have done up to now but haven&#8217;t finished.</li>
<li><strong>WIP limits</strong> &#8211; Limiting work in progress prevents overburdening and context switching by limiting the number of concurrent tasks.</li>
<li><strong>Classes of Service</strong> &#8211; Policies that help <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/agile-methodologies/">Agile</a> teams prioritize work items and projects.</li>
<li><strong>Kanban Cadences</strong> &#8211; These recurring meetings bring about evolutionary change and &#8220;fit for purpose&#8221; service delivery.</li>
<li><strong>Kanban Software</strong> &#8211; A digital system that allows the application of Kanban concepts and methods to various teams, organizations, and sizes.</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="The-6-Kanban-Methods"></a>The 6 Kanban Methods</h2>
<p>The six methods are divided into two kanban principles:</p>
<h3>Change Management Principles</h3>
<p>It&#8217;s about continually improving current processes while pursuing evolutionary modifications. In this section, we&#8217;ll examine Kanban <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/management-of-change/">change management</a> principles in more detail.</p>
<h4>Method 1: Focus on What You Do Right Now</h4>
<p>Kanban allows you to use the method alongside established workflows, systems, and processes without jeopardizing what exists. The approach recognizes that existing procedures, roles, obligations, and titles are worth and generally worth preserving. Naturally, it will point out problems that must be addressed and assist in assessing and planning modifications to ensure that they are as non-disruptive as possible.</p>
<h4>Method 2: Agree to Work Toward Small, Gradual Changes</h4>
<p>The goal of the Kanban approach is to minimize resistance. It uses collaboration and feedback mechanisms to encourage continuous, minor incremental, and evolutionary modifications to the existing <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/what-is-kanban-board/">production process</a>. There is usually a reaction of fear or uncertainty when it comes to sweeping changes.</p>
<h4>Method 3: Encourage Leadership Actions at All Levels</h4>
<p>All levels of leadership are formed and enhanced through people&#8217;s everyday insights and actions. Every shared observation develops a continuous improvement mindset (<a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/kaizen-continuous-improvement/">Kaizen</a>) that helps teams, departments, and enterprises reach their maximum potential.</p>
<h3>Service Delivery Principles</h3>
<p>Kanban fosters a service-oriented mindset. It asks that you have a thorough knowledge of your customer&#8217;s demands and develop a network of services where individuals self-organize around their tasks.</p>
<h4>Method 4: Focus on What the Customer Needs and Wants</h4>
<p>Consumer value should be the focus of every business. Every firm&#8217;s top priority should be understanding its clients&#8217; demands and expectations to provide quality services at a profit properly.</p>
<h4>Method 5: Organize the Work</h4>
<p>Manage the work in your network of services to allow people to self-organize around the job. You may focus on the intended outcomes without being distracted by micro-managing the service providers.</p>
<h4>Method 6: Review the Network of Services Regularly</h4>
<p>A service-oriented approach, once established, necessitates periodic reassessment to encourage a customer care mentality. Kanban encourages improved outcomes by monitoring the network and assessing existing work rules.</p>
<h2><a id="The-6-Kanban-Rules"></a>The 6 Kanban Rules</h2>
<p>For Kanban to succeed, every organization must carefully follow the six practical rules. Here are the six core principles of Kanban.</p>
<h3>Rule 1: Visualize the Workflow</h3>
<p>Kanban boards help you visualize your company&#8217;s workflow. Your board should reflect your current work process and allow you to track your progress easily.</p>
<h3>Rule 2: Limit Work in Progress (WIP)</h3>
<p>Limiting WIP helps teams focus on the task at hand and avoid multitasking. By capping the number of tasks each team member can work on at any given time, your team will remain focused.</p>
<h3>Rule 3: Optimize the Flow of Work</h3>
<p>Kanban aims to optimize workflow by eliminating bottlenecks and waste. Identifying and addressing these issues can help keep your workflow running smoothly.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Digitize the way you Work&#8221; body=&#8221;Empower your team with SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, and automate tasks with our digital platform.&#8221; btn_txt=&#8221;Get Started for Free&#8221; btn_link=&#8221;https://app.safetyculture.com/sign-up&#8221;]</p>
<h3>Rule 4: Make Process Policies Explicit</h3>
<p>Kanban asks that you make all process policies explicit. Task assignment, work prioritization, and decision-making are all involved. Making these policies clear can help team members understand the expectations and avoid confusion.</p>
<h3>Rule 5: Feedback Loop</h3>
<p>Kanban includes a feedback loop to help teams identify and address problems quickly. It helps ensure that issues are handled promptly and avoid disruptions to the workflow.</p>
<h3>Rule 6: Collaborate</h3>
<p>Kanban is a collaborative approach, and successful implementations require buy-in from all team members. Working together can help ensure that Kanban is successful in your organization.</p>
<h2><a id="Benefits-of-Kanban"></a>Benefits of Kanban</h2>
<p>Continuous improvement and increased visibility of work are the main reasons for adopting Kanban. Some of the benefits that have been reported by those who have implemented Kanban include:</p>
<h3>Increased Visibility of the Flow</h3>
<p>The basic concept of Kanban is to visualize all of one&#8217;s tasks. As a result, the Kanban board becomes a central information center where everyone is on the same page. Every job has its own set of functions, which are always visible, so there is no secrecy about the entire process. All team members can view activity or venture in real-time.</p>
<h3>Improved Delivery Speed</h3>
<p>Kanban allows <a href="https://zapier.com/blog/kanban-board/">project managers</a> to monitor and evaluate the distribution of work in various ways. Stages, where tasks have spent the most time, are easy to detect with a clear view of the work items completed for a specific duration. Bottlenecks are simple to identify because teams can address these problems to enhance their process and, as a result, their delivery rate.</p>
<h3>Alignment between Business Goals and Execution</h3>
<p>Implementing Kanban processes can improve teamwork across organizational levels, including promoting transparency, encouraging feedback, and regular review meetings. The alignment between a company&#8217;s strategic plan and its implementation allows it to be more agile. It enables employees in teams to adjust to evolving market or consumer demands.</p>
<h3>Improved Predictability</h3>
<p>Flow metrics will help you analyze your process in depth once you&#8217;ve created a Kanban board and started collecting work items on it. It can show how long tasks spend in your workflow (<a href="https://www.digite.com/kanban/what-is-kanban/">cycle time</a>). Understanding your delivery rate consistency (throughput) will help you make more accurate predictions and decisions based on past data.</p>
<h3>Improved Ability to Manage Scale and Dependencies</h3>
<p>The underlying Kanban technique of visualizing is likewise applied to mapping and managing dependencies. Mapping the present relationships and controlling the flow between them is the first step you can do right now. Controlling dependencies allows you to see what&#8217;s happening inside a workflow and how to improve it. Conversely, it allows for complete transparency regarding strategic management and team connections.</p>
<h3>Increased Customer Satisfaction</h3>
<p>Based on the pull system, the Kanban method implies that work gets done when needed. To put it another way, Kanban directs you to reduce waste by working only on tasks that are currently required. Furthermore, by using <a href="https://www.infoq.com/articles/hiranabe-lean-agile-kanban/">visualization methods</a> and establishing work-in-progress limits to the procedure, you can ensure that the conclusion meets your customers&#8217; needs.</p>
<h2><a id="Tools-Use-for-Project-Management"></a>Tools Use for Project Management</h2>
<p>Kanban Board and Kanban Card are two commonly used <a href="https://kanbantool.com/">Kanban tools</a> in project management. Below, we&#8217;ll explore each in more detail.</p>
<h3>Kanban Board</h3>
<p>Kanban boards visually show your tasks&#8217; status as part of your workflow. This tool helps you stay on top of your tasks and keep track of their progress. Teams may use the following components to manage their workflows in the Kanban boards.</p>
<ul>
<li>Card</li>
<li>Columns</li>
<li>Swimlanes</li>
<li><a href="https://www.atlassian.com/agile/kanban">WIP Limits</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Kanban boards come in two types: physical boards and digital boards.</p>
<h3>Kanban Card</h3>
<p>A Kanban card is a physical or virtual card that contains information about a task, such as a title, description, due date, and responsible person. The term derives from the Japanese term, Kanban, a visual (kan) card (ban). It&#8217;s an essential element of the Kanban method for monitoring activity progress along with a Kanban board.</p>
<p>Kanban cards can also be physical cards or digital cards.</p>


Kanban Method 101: How to Improve Your Team’s Efficiency

planificación de equipos mediante kanban

Business Processes

Operations

Kanban

<p>With that said, a general contractor’s work doesn’t end with overseeing the project. A licensed general contractor usually takes on other responsibilities such as securing worker’s compensation and liability insurance for everyone in the project.</p>
<p>General contractors are in charge of making sure everything goes right in a project. And if something goes wrong, the contractor should be able to put things back in the right direction. For example, if a worker accidentally damages the client’s property while on-site, the contractor should be in charge of resolving the issue between both parties.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, the general contract of a construction or <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/renovation/">renovation</a> project ensures that workers don’t overlook anything and stick to the procedure. This is to promote safety, minimize <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/risk-management/risk-transference/">risks</a>, make sure everything goes to plan, and meet a client’s needs.</p>
<h2><a id="Types"></a>Types</h2>
<p>There are many types of contractors. Electricians, carpenters, drywallers, and painters are all a type of contractors. But when talking about general contractors, they are primarily divided into two different categories: traditional and design-build contractors.</p>
<h3>Traditional Contractors</h3>
<p>Traditional general contractors are only in charge of making sure everything goes to plan. They aren’t in charge of planning a building, making sure all details are accounted for, or thinking about different concepts. Instead, they execute the plans, designs, and concepts developed by the professionals involved in the project. Usually, an architect or designer handles the project plan then the general contractors bid to complete the work. The contractor with the lowest bid usually gets the project.</p>
<h3>Design-Build Contractors</h3>
<p>Design-build contractors are more involved in the process. These contractors aren’t just responsible for completing the work. Instead, they are there for the conceptualizing and planning processes as well. These contractors are generally more hands-on and allow for more cohesion in whatever project they take on. However, they will also charge more than traditional contractors most of the time.</p>
<h2><a id="Licensing-Requirements-for-General-Contractors"></a>Licensing Requirements for General Contractors</h2>
<p>General contractors who work with an established business or work for an established business usually earn an <a href="https://www.fieldwire.com/blog/average-salary-for-general-contractor/#:~:text=general%20contractor%20salary%3F-,Average%20general%20contractor%20salary,a%20daily%20rate%20of%20%24500.">above-average salary</a>. However, to earn this, they need to be able to provide high-quality service. And one of the ways to assure clients that the general contractors follow procedure and can get the work done, aside from building a good reputation for themselves, is that they have certain licenses.</p>
<p>In the United States, every state has a distinct set of mandatory licenses for general contractors. There are many countries that do the same and require some sort of license for all general contractors. With that said, the requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction, which is why it’s important to read up on the local rules and regulations.</p>
<p>While general contractors are usually not required to have a specific degree before getting their license, there are many professionals in the field with either <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/construction-management/">construction management</a>, civil engineering, or similar degrees.</p>
<p>With that said, practical experience is very much valued in this field. Experienced general contractors understand what new technology to implement on the site, understand <a href="https://blog.safetyculture.com/industry-trends/construction-tech-trends-need-know">trends in the construction industry</a>, and are fully aware of best practices and what they have to do to meet the project goals and deadlines.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Digitize the way you Work&#8221; body=&#8221;Empower your team with SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, and automate tasks with our digital platform.&#8221; btn_txt=&#8221;Get Started for Free&#8221; btn_link=&#8221;https://app.safetyculture.com/sign-up&#8221;]</p>
<h2><a id="Qualities-of-a-Good-Contractor"></a>Qualities of a Good Contractor</h2>
<p>Licenses and papers won’t ensure a good contractor. When taking on a general contractor for a project, it’s important to look for certain traits to show that they are professional and can really get the work done. Some of these traits include:</p>
<h3>Professionalism</h3>
<p>General contractors always need to show professionalism when at work. This means they need to understand how to properly speak to clients, know how to manage different employees, and can communicate clearly. This is a great way to ensure that things run smoothly the whole way and problems are met head-on.</p>
<h3>A Solution-Oriented Personality</h3>
<p>There are always going to be bumps along the road when dealing with a construction project. This is one of the <a href="https://blog.safetyculture.com/checklist-best-practices/8-reasons-you-need-checklists-for-your-construction-project">reasons why contractors need to work with checklists</a> that cover all the bases. But even with the most sophisticated planning, no project will go without any problems. This is why you need a contractor who is good at finding solutions and has the creativity to think outside of the box. That way, it will be much easier to get over problems if and when they pop up.</p>
<h3>Self-Awareness</h3>
<p>It’s crucial for general contractors to understand that they are there to make a vision come to life. Even design-build contractors are there to meet the needs and preferences of the client. So, it’s important to find a contract that is aware of this fact and will be ready to listen to comments and take notes throughout the entire process.</p>
<h3>Experience</h3>
<p>As mentioned earlier, it’s very important for general contractors to have experience. This ensures that they understand the processes and know-how to make things work. On top of that, experienced contractors have wider networks, making it easier for them to find high-quality sub-contractors to accomplish other tasks.</p>
<h3>Passion</h3>
<p>A passionate contract is necessary for any construction project. Passionate contractors strive to meet goals and will make adjustments as necessary to finish a project. If a contractor shows genuine interest in a project and that they want to make things work, this is an indication of a seasoned professional.</p>
<h2><a id="Responsibilities-of-a-General-Contractor"></a>Responsibilities of a General Contractor</h2>
<p>General contractors are responsible for overseeing the entire construction process. They are usually responsible for making sure that there are skilled and professional individuals working each job and taking on a lot of other tasks.</p>
<p>But to break it down, let’s look at the three main phases of the construction process to see what general contractors do during each phase.</p>
<h3>Pre-Construction</h3>
<p><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/preconstruction/">Preconstruction</a> is the first phase of the process. Usually, general contractors handle the following tasks during this phase:</p>
<ul>
<li>Determining the construction budget and managing it</li>
<li>Finding the right <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/subcontractor/">subcontractors</a> for different parts of the project</li>
<li><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/job-site-orientation-for-subcontractors">Orienting the subcontractors</a></li>
<li>Speaking with the architect to make sure everything is on the right track</li>
</ul>
<p>Some contractors will take on more tasks than these. However, these are the first couple of tasks that general contractors have to handle when starting a project.</p>
<h3>During Construction</h3>
<p>When construction is in process, the general contractor takes charge of:</p>
<ul>
<li>Overseeing all the aspects of the project</li>
<li>Making sure everyone sticks to the schedule</li>
<li>Finding and fixing problems along the way</li>
</ul>
<p>During the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/project-delivery/">construction delivery phase</a>, the general contractor needs to make sure everything runs smoothly. To do this, they need to make sure that the project planning and subcontractor orientation was done properly.</p>
<h3>Post-Construction</h3>
<p>Once everything is finished, the contractor will have to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Make sure all the waivers are collected</li>
<li>Check that everyone was paid for the work they did</li>
<li>Iron out issues that arise during the payment chain</li>
</ul>
<p>General contractors handle a lot of tasks. This is why they need a proper set of <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/punch-list-template/">construction tools</a> and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/construction/">construction checklists</a> to help them out. Make it easier for contractors to make sure everything is running smoothly and that they cover all bases during a project with a <a href="https://safetyculture.com/app/contractor-management/">Construction Management Software</a> like SafetyCulture.</p>


General Contractor

contratistas generales que inspeccionan la obra

<p><a id="What-are-SMART-Goals"></a>SMART goals, in essence, are in place to make sure that everyone in the team is on the same page regardless of position. This way, everyone understands the performance and productivity levels they need to achieve and what the company expects out of their output.</p>
<p>When a team tackles the SMART aspects when trying to set goals, they can figure out more realistic and attainable results for the team. Additionally, it makes it much easier to create a definite strategy on how to achieve the goals by the deadline.</p>
<h2>Aspects of SMART Goals</h2>
<p>To write SMART goals, teams have to take the time to go over every single detail. Here’s a deep dive into the different aspects of SMART goals and why they are important.</p>
<h3>Specific</h3>
<p>While SMART goals can be used in various workplaces and situations, they aren’t meant to be broad. When you set broad goals, it can become more challenging to meet them. This is why a company or team’s goals always need to be specific and to the point.</p>
<p>Most teams start by figuring out specific goals that the company needs to achieve. When they do this, it allows everyone to get down to the actual purpose or heart of the goal. Understanding the purpose behind the goal is a great motivator and also puts everyone on the same page.</p>
<p>When trying to create specific goals, teams can start by asking themselves questions to get into the details. Some of the important questions to ask when planning out SMART goals include:</p>
<ul>
<li>What does the team need to do?</li>
<li>Who are the members in charge of the task?</li>
<li>How can we achieve the goal?</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, different industries and workplaces may need to get to even more specific questions. However, these are the general approaches one can take when trying to make specific goals for a company.</p>
<h3>Measurable</h3>
<p>When creating SMART goals, you always start with being specific. However, from there, it’s also important to be able to quantify the goals. Remember, numbers are definite and they can give you a great baseline, especially when trying to track progress or check if the team has met its goals.</p>
<p>Similar to setting specific goals, setting measurable goals makes it easier for team members and employees to figure out how to achieve the goals. This is because if a goal is measurable, there’s a definite number that teams can strive towards and a clear indication of when they meet the goals.</p>
<p>To paint a clearer picture of setting measurable goals, imagine a team at a cellphone store. The manager notices one day that they haven’t seen an increase in sales in a while. So, the manager approaches the team and lets everyone know that it’s important for them to work towards increasing sales numbers.</p>
<p>However, the manager doesn’t give them any information on how many sales they needed to make, didn’t set any deadlines, and basically didn’t give them any concrete goals. This would make it close to impossible to align the team towards the same purpose.</p>
<p>But if the manager lays out how many cellphones they need to sell to meet the team’s goals, which specific products they can push, and give the team the numbers they can work towards to assess performance, it will be more realistic to meet the goals.</p>
<h3>Achievable</h3>
<p>A mistake that managers can make is to unknowingly set unrealistic goals. It’s always important to prevent this from happening and set realistic and achievable goals for the team. To check if a goal is achievable, the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/pdca/">planning team</a> needs to take a close look at the employees, and their performance, and determine whether or not the new goals they set out are actually achievable.</p>
<p>This is why there are times when teams may have to adjust their goals. Although this is not a bad thing, per se, it’s important at the onset of goal setting to be able to determine at what point is a goal achievable and can be reached with the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/employee-evaluation/">employees’ optimum performance</a>, making it beneficial not only for the company but also for the employees.</p>
<p>It’s also important to do this even if the goals are being forwarded from the higher-ups. As managers, it’s important to represent the team and let the appropriate people know when the goals need adjustment.</p>
<h3>Relevant</h3>
<p>Another thing to consider when setting SMART goals is making sure that they are relevant. In essence, this refers to the “why” of it all. So, it’s important to ask why you’re setting certain goals in the first place and what the team or company can achieve by reaching them.</p>
<p>This is to ensure that the goal is worth chasing. Sometimes, it can be easy to get distracted by all the metrics and numbers in the industry that you lose focus on the team or company’s actual long-term objectives.</p>
<p>So, always make sure that the goal is worth chasing. There always needs to be a definite upside or benefit to putting in the work it takes to meet a SMART goal.</p>
<h3>Timely</h3>
<p>When people say that the goals need to be timely, they mean that the goals need to follow a definite time frame. Remember, using SMART goals is supposed to put everyone on the same page, and this means being able to deliver the goal within a specific time period.</p>
<p>A SMART goal needs to be time-bound with a definite deadline. However, when setting deadlines, it’s important to look back at the other aspects of SMART goals. Remember, these goals still need to remain achievable, which is why the timeframe and deadline for the goals need to be realistic and within the capabilities of the team.</p>
<p>So, aside from setting a deadline, it’s important to let everyone else on the team know when the deadline is. That way, they understand the work that they need to put in to be able to deliver on time.</p>
<h2>Example</h2>
<p>SMART goals are usually simple statements followed up by a detailed explanation of each aspect in the SMART acronym. For example, let’s take a look at a company that wants to boost its website traffic by creating a mobile-friendly site.</p>
<p>In this case, the goal would be, “boosting website traffic through a mobile-friendly site”. And to turn it into a SMART goal, the team needs to look at the different aspects of the goal. So, the final out output may look something like this:</p>
<p><strong>Goal:</strong> Increase website traffic through a mobile-friendly site</p>
<p><strong>Specific:</strong> A lot of potential customers land on our website using their mobile phones. But since the website isn’t optimized, a lot of the visitors don’t have a pleasant time on the site. That’s why the team needs to optimize the website for mobile users within 3 months and increase website traffic. To do this, there needs to be a team of developers, marketers, and designers.</p>
<p><strong>Measurable:</strong> For the development to be worth it, there would need to be at least 50,000 new visitors to the site within the first 3 months of the launch. On top of that, there needs to be a 5% conversion rate from the people who use the mobile website.</p>
<p><strong>Achievable:</strong> All the teams involved in creating the website have agreed that this is something they can do within the timeframe and are ready for the project.</p>
<p><strong>Relevant:</strong> Boosting website traffic is a top priority for the company, and one of the ways to do that is by creating a website optimized for mobile use.</p>
<p><strong>Timebound:</strong> The mobile website will need to launch by Q3 of the year, giving the team Q1 and Q2 for development, design, testing, and more.</p>
<h2><a id="Why-Set-SMART-Goals"></a>Why Set SMART Goals?</h2>
<p>SMART goals allow everyone to be on the same page. These goals also lay out all the details of the goals very clearly, making it much easier to understand and achieve the goals. SMART goals are also very broad, which means that they can apply to whole teams (e.g., <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/scrum/sprint-planning/">sprint planning</a>) or even individuals looking to improve work performance and achieve their objectives for <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/quality-assurance-and-quality-control/">quality assurance</a>.</p>
<p>Remember, these goals aren’t a cure-all solution to productivity problems. However, they are a clearer way of communicating the company’s needs and expectations to the workers to make sure that everyone is working towards the same purpose. </p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Digitize the way you Work&#8221; body=&#8221;Empower your team with SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, and automate tasks with our digital platform.&#8221; btn_txt=&#8221;Get Started for Free&#8221; btn_link=&#8221;https://app.safetyculture.com/sign-up&#8221;]</p>
<h3>A Note on SMART</h3>
<p>One thing about SMART goals is that because they can be very broad, they can sometimes lose their purpose. For example, there are many interpretations of SMART goals, and some of them completely miss the mark when it comes to setting goals that are achievable and realistic.</p>
<p>So, before setting SMART goals, it’s important to make sure that the team understands what they are, how they can help, and how to create SMART goals that actually tackle the company’s issues.</p>


SMART Goals

El equipo discute las formas de lograr objetivos inteligentes

<h2><strong><a id="iso-13485-certification-importance"></a>Why is ISO Certification Important to a Medical Device Manufacturer?</strong></h2>
<p>Complying with the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/iso-13485/">ISO 13485</a> standard helps organizations establish a <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/quality-management-system/">Quality Management System (QMS)</a> that will let them build and sustain effective methods and processes in manufacturing medical devices. In addition, aligning your quality standards to internationally recognized guidelines enables your organization to ensure top-notch and streamlined systems in designing, producing, and distributing safe and well-functioning medical devices.</p>
<p>It’s also worth noting that many ISO standards are recognized by regulatory bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and patterned with similar standards from other parts of the world, such as the European Union (EU). Hence, being ISO-certified means you have a competitive advantage not just among similar organizations but also among international manufacturers of medical devices.</p>
<p>In summary, the following factors reinforce the importance of having an ISO 13485 certification:</p>
<ul>
<li>High-quality <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/gmp/manufacturing-processes/">manufacturing processes</a></li>
<li>Commitment to <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/kaizen-continuous-improvement/">continuous improvement</a></li>
<li>Credibility</li>
<li>Competitive edge among peers</li>
<li>Compliance with regulatory requirements</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong><a id="iso-13485-certification-benefits"></a>What are the Benefits of ISO 13485 Certification?</strong></h2>
<p>Closely related to its importance, being certified for the ISO 13485 standard merits organizations the following major benefits:</p>
<ul>
<li>Reduced need for repeating processes</li>
<li>Streamlined quality management</li>
<li>Recognition of being up to par with international industry standards</li>
<li>Increased profitability</li>
<li>Continuous customer satisfaction</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong><a id="iso-13485-certification-process"></a>ISO 13485 Certification Process</strong></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-143359 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/ISO-13485-Certification-Process-2022.png" alt="5 Steps of the ISO 13485 Certification Process" width="700" height="400" /></p>
<p>Depending on the business or organization, some of the initial requirements and steps on how to get an ISO 13485 certification may vary. Nonetheless, the following steps should be able to get you started:</p>
<h3>1. Planning</h3>
<p>This is where your organization plans how to establish your QMS and align it to the standard’s quality planning requirements. Part of such is to create a quality manual and provide an optimized method of documenting quality plans when implementing relevant changes to your QMS.</p>
<p>Apart from those, the following tasks must also be completed:</p>
<ul>
<li>Obtain a copy of the ISO 13485 standard and other related documents.</li>
<li>Determine and establish relevant processes.</li>
<li>Assign internal auditors and teams to such processes.</li>
<li>Set a schedule, create workflows, and define guidelines for each process.</li>
<li>Conduct gap analyses for each task or process.</li>
<li>Provide ISO 13485 certification training for process owners.</li>
<li>Improve and finalize processes.</li>
<li>Standardize processes and document necessary records.</li>
</ul>
<h3>2. First internal audit</h3>
<p>The first internal audit helps your organization to verify the effectiveness of your QMS even before the third-party certification body conducts the initial audit. This way, you can pinpoint nonconformities and their root causes from the get-go and design necessary actions to mitigate and address them.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Create Your Own ISO 13485 Internal Audit Checklist&#8221;]</p>
<h3>3. <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/corrective-action/">Corrective actions</a></h3>
<p>Based on the internal audit report, you can now determine if there are issues needing to be eliminated or areas needing improvement. This is where you initiate a <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/corrective-and-preventive-action/">Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)</a> process. Such a quality management procedure will help you devise the necessary actions and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/process-improvement/">process improvements</a> to be done by everyone involved in those areas.</p>
<h3>4. First management review</h3>
<p>Just before applying for the third-party audit, it’s essential that you let your top management review your organization’s quality objectives. After the review, the management finalizes a list of action items found in internal audits and improvements to be implemented. The list can then be used as a guiding document for the next management review before applying for the certification.</p>
<h3>5. Initial ISO 13485 certification audit</h3>
<p>In this step, start by researching and choosing which third-party organization will conduct the certification among recognized ISO 13485 certification bodies. Then, the overall application for the certification begins—from filling out the form, reviewing it, and submitting it to the certification body. In most cases, this is where contract signing is also accomplished.</p>
<p>Furthermore, this step is comprised of two stages:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Stage 1 (Documentation Survey)</strong> &#8211; The third-party auditor focuses on checking how well an organization documents its systems. Hence, the CAPA process, management review schedule, and overall QMS should be in place. Some of the documents you need to prepare for the first stage include the following:
<ul>
<li>Quality manual</li>
<li>Organizational chart</li>
<li>Internal auditing process and schedule</li>
<li>CAPA protocols and log</li>
<li>Management review process and findings</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 2 (Primary Audit)</strong> &#8211; This is where you ensure that the rest of the ISO 13485 certification requirements are complete in your organization. The certification auditor now checks if all regulatory requirements have been met, especially those that are recognized in international markets. In addition, the auditor evaluates the effectiveness of your overall quality system by sampling records from each and every process your organization implements. Lastly, the second stage of the initial certification will also help you identify the schedule of surveillance audits (typically done yearly) and reassessment.<a id="iso-13485-certification-FAQs"></a> </li>
</ol>


Who needs ISO 13485 certification?

Can an individual get ISO 13485 certification?

How long is an ISO 13485 certificate valid?

What other ISO certificates are required for the medical devices industry?

FAQs

A Guide to ISO 13485 Certification

Compliance

ISO 13485 Certification

<h2><a id="Most-Commonly-Used-Risk-Assessment-Tools"></a>Most Commonly Used Risk Assessment Tools</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">There are four commonly used</span> <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/risk-assessment/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400">risk assessment</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400">tools in different businesses. All of them are used often and are easily applicable to different situations. These tools are:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Risk matrix</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Decision Tree</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Bowtie Model</span></li>
</ol>
<h3>Risk Matrix</h3>
<div class="table">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 127px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px">
<td style="width: 17.2506%;height: 19px;background-color: gainsboro" colspan="2"><strong>Likelihood</strong></td>
<td style="width: 7.30285%;height: 19px"><strong>Very Likely</strong></td>
<td style="width: 5.87323%;height: 19px"><strong>Likely</strong></td>
<td style="width: 5.73035%;height: 19px"><strong>Unlikely</strong></td>
<td style="width: 6.60276%;height: 19px"><strong>Highly Unlikely</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 20px">
<td style="width: 3.47072%;height: 108px;background-color: gainsboro" rowspan="4"><strong>Consequences</strong></td>
<td style="width: 13.7798%;height: 28px">Fatality</td>
<td style="width: 7.30285%;height: 28px;background-color: red">High</td>
<td style="width: 5.87323%;height: 28px;background-color: red">High</td>
<td style="width: 5.73035%;height: 28px;background-color: red">High</td>
<td style="width: 6.60276%;height: 28px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px">
<td style="width: 13.7798%;height: 26px">Major Injuries</td>
<td style="width: 7.30285%;height: 26px;background-color: red">High</td>
<td style="width: 5.87323%;height: 26px;background-color: red">High</td>
<td style="width: 5.73035%;height: 26px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
<td style="width: 6.60276%;height: 26px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px">
<td style="width: 13.7798%;height: 27px">Minor Injuries</td>
<td style="width: 7.30285%;height: 27px;background-color: red">High</td>
<td style="width: 5.87323%;height: 27px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
<td style="width: 5.73035%;height: 27px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
<td style="width: 6.60276%;height: 27px;background-color: yellow">Low</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px">
<td style="width: 13.7798%;height: 27px">Negligible Injuries</td>
<td style="width: 7.30285%;height: 27px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
<td style="width: 5.87323%;height: 27px;background-color: orange">Medium</td>
<td style="width: 5.73035%;height: 27px;background-color: yellow">Low</td>
<td style="width: 6.60276%;height: 27px;background-color: yellow">Low</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">A </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/risk-assessment/5x5-risk-matrix/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400">risk matrix </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">is a visual representation of risks laid out in a diagram or a table, hence its alternate name as a risk diagram. Here, risks are divided and sorted based on their probability of happening and their effects or impact. A risk matrix is often used to help prioritize which risk to address first, what safety measures and risk mitigation plans to take, and how a certain task should be done. Risk matrices can come in any size and number of columns and rows, depending on the project and risks being discussed. </span></p>
<h3>FMEA</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The</span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/fmea/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">r</span><span style="font-weight: 400">isk assessment tool was first discovered in the 1940s by the US military to identify all possible issues or failures in a design, process, product, and service. This tool is often used during a product or service’s design or proposal stage to actively study possible risks and discover their effects. FMEA has two parts to it: </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Failure Modes: the failures, problems, and issues that occur</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Effects Analysis: the analysis of the failures’ effects </span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Decision Tree</h3>
<div id="attachment_143337" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-143337" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-143337 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Decision-Tree-2022.png" alt="Risk Assessment Tool: Decision Tree" width="700" height="400" /><p id="caption-attachment-143337" class="wp-caption-text">Risk Assessment Tool: Decision Tree</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The decision tree risk assessment tool works by providing project managers a template to calculate and visualize the values of different results and the likelihood of achieving them. In some cases, a decision tree is also often used to help</span><a href="https://www.projectcubicle.com/importance-of-decision-tree-analysis-example/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400"> calculate the value</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> of a project, product, or service. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">To use this tool, one starts with one element, product, or service they want to evaluate, and then creates different branches from it with different goals. When carried out, the final product looks like a flowchart similar to a tree with different branches, hence the name. </span></p>
<h3>Bowtie Model</h3>
<div id="attachment_143344" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-143344" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-143344 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Bowtie-Model-2022.png" alt="Risk Assessment Tool: Bowtie Model" width="700" height="400" /><p id="caption-attachment-143344" class="wp-caption-text">Risk Assessment Tool: Bowtie Model</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The</span><a href="https://www.juliantalbot.com/post/risk-bow-tie-method" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Bowtie Model</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> risk assess</span><span style="font-weight: 400">ment tool aims to show the causal links between different sources of risks and their consequences. The left side of the diagram shows what causes the risk, the right shows their potential outcomes, and then both sides meet in the middle with a single risk called “Event.” The left and right sides of the Event are larger and wider as many sources may lead to different consequences, but still be centered around one risk. When drawn out, the model starts to look like a bowtie. </span></p>
<h2><a id="Uses"></a>Uses</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Risk assessment tools are an essential part of performing risk assessments and risk management tasks. Not only do they make risk assessments easier, but they also help put different risks into perspective and help create </span><a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/risk_assessment.html#:~:text=Risk%20assessments%20are%20very%20important,the%20public%2C%20etc.)." rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400">contingency plans better. </span></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/risk_assessment.html#:~:text=Risk%20assessments%20are%20very%20important,the%20public%2C%20etc.)." rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400">Some things </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">risk assessments tools can help with are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Creating and spreading awareness on different hazards and risks</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Identifying who are most at risk of encountering or suffering from certain risks</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Determining what control measures and programs are required for which risks and what need to changed in existing rules</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Preventing and mitigating injuries, fatalities, and illnesses </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Meeting legal requirements on certain industry-specific tasks where applicable</span></li>
</ul>


A Quick Introduction to Risk Assessment Tools

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment Tools

<p>The <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/66912.html">ISO/IEC 17025:2017</a> serves as a Quality Management System (QMS) for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6287213/">laboratories</a> to improve their process of facilitating more accurate diagnostics, efficient treatment, and reduced errors in the laboratory process. This coincides with the ultimate goal in laboratory medicine which is to improve an organization’s overall QMS toward ensuring patient safety.</p>
<h3>What is the difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 17025?</h3>
<p>ISO 17025 and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/iso-9001/">ISO 9001</a> are both intended for QMS. But what sets them apart is the scope and the requirements. The requirements for ISO 17025 are specific to testing and calibration laboratories only. Meanwhile, ISO 9001 applies to organizations in all industries.</p>
<h2><strong>What is the Importance of ISO 17025?</strong></h2>
<p>Across industries, it’s highly encouraged to create a QMS that best fits the needs of an organization. This is to help improve the quality and efficiency of <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/lab-safety/">laboratory safety</a> practices, processes, and systems. It goes hand in hand with <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/iso-15189/">ISO 15189:2012</a>, the ISO standard for medical-specific laboratories.</p>
<p>The standard’s current version which is the ISO 17025:2017 is key to establishing guidelines and protocols that are aligned with <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/good-laboratory-practice-glp/">Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)</a>. Ultimately, maintaining compliance with ISO 17025 standards can lead to creating replicable testing and calibration processes, thus eliminating the need for retesting.</p>
<h2><strong>Is ISO 17025 Mandatory?</strong></h2>
<p>While ISO 17025 isn’t required, there are numerous benefits to gaining an accreditation or certification. Following internationally recognized standards allows organizations to become at par with what’s considered competent and trusted in the industry. Hence, this helps significantly increase the public’s level of confidence and the trust of peers in the laboratories’ work.</p>
<h2><strong>What are the Requirements for ISO 17025?</strong></h2>
<p>It’s important for organizations to be aware of the various ISO 17025 requirements so that they can establish the necessary compliance protocols across the board. For starters, there have been notable changes introduced in the 2017 version from its previous 2005 version. Some of these include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Management Requirements and Technical Requirements clauses previously included in the 2005 version were replaced with the clauses for General Requirements and Structural Requirements.</li>
<li>Clauses 6 to 8 detailing the Resource, Process, and Management System Requirements were added.</li>
</ul>
<p>With these, it’s worth mentioning that the 2017 version now specifies the general requirements needed to guide laboratories in their operations, especially when it comes to ensuring their competence and impartiality.</p>
<p>The ISO 17025 standard is comprised of the following <a href="http://imed.ir/userfiles/files/11/ISO-IEC%2017025-2017.pdf">clauses</a> and elements:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Scope</strong> &#8211; Discusses the objective of the standard, who can use it, and what ISO 17025 is for</li>
<li><strong>Normative References</strong> &#8211; Highlights brief details on how certain guides and standards are referenced in ISO 17025</li>
<li><strong>Terms and Definitions</strong> &#8211; Defines the terminology used in the standard</li>
<li><strong>General Requirements</strong> &#8211; Covers the two main requirements of the standard which are:
<ul>
<li>Impartiality (laboratories won’t let any commercial, financial, or other pressuring factors manipulate, compromise, or alter the quality of the testing results)</li>
<li>Confidentiality (laboratories are required to ensure that the results and other key information are kept private)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structural Requirements</strong> &#8211; Outlines a laboratory’s basic organizational structure and components, its processes, and its adherence to an efficient management system</li>
<li><strong>Resource Requirements</strong> &#8211; Contains the 6 clauses that specify the necessary components a laboratory must have:
<ul>
<li>General</li>
<li>Personnel</li>
<li>Facilities and environmental conditions</li>
<li>Equipment</li>
<li>Metrological traceability</li>
<li>Externally provided products and services</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process Requirements</strong> &#8211; Details the 11 key processes on how to improve and implement the efficiency of the standard’s requirements:
<ul>
<li>Review of requests, tenders, and contracts</li>
<li>Selection, verification, and validation of methods</li>
<li>Sampling</li>
<li>Handling of test or calibration items</li>
<li>Technical records</li>
<li>Evaluation of measurement uncertainty</li>
<li>Ensuring the validity of results</li>
<li>Reporting of results</li>
<li>Complaints</li>
<li>Nonconforming work</li>
<li>Control of data and information management</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Management System Requirements</strong> &#8211; Emphasizes the two options available for organizations complying with the standard, the differences between the two, and the various activities involved in this section:
<ul>
<li>Options
<ul>
<li>Option A &#8211; Applies to laboratories that have separate QMS from any other management system</li>
<li>Option B &#8211; Applies to laboratories that are part of larger organizations or if they have their own established management systems aligned with ISO 9001:2015</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Management system documentation</li>
<li>Control of management system documents</li>
<li>Control of records</li>
<li>Actions to address risks and opportunities</li>
<li>Improvement</li>
<li>Corrective actions</li>
<li>Internal audits</li>
<li>Management reviews</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want to know more about this standard, click here to view a quick and comprehensive guide to understanding the </span><a href="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/A-Quick-Guide-to-Understanding-ISO-17025.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ISO 17025 in PDF</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><br />
[sc_cta title=&#8221;Improve your GRC management&#8221; body=&#8221;Simplify risk management and compliance with our centralized platform, designed to integrate and automate processes for optimal governance.&#8221; btn_txt=&#8221;Explore now&#8221; btn_link=&#8221;https://safetyculture.com/risk-management-and-compliance/&#8221;]</p>
<h2><strong>Certification and Training</strong></h2>
<h3>What are the benefits of ISO 17025 accreditation?</h3>
<p>Even if the standards and requirements are released by the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/iso/">ISO</a> and the IEC, third-party enforcement agencies are in charge of implementing and monitoring compliance. They conduct audits on how an organization’s QMS when it comes to laboratory testing and calibration aligns with industry standards set out in the ISO 17025 standard.</p>
<div id="attachment_142923" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-142923" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-142923" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Why-Get-an-ISO-17025-Certification_2022.png" alt="Why Get an ISO 17025 Certification" width="700" height="400" /><p id="caption-attachment-142923" class="wp-caption-text">Why Get an ISO 17025 Certification</p></div>
<p>Gaining an ISO 17025 certification merits an organization the following benefits:</p>
<ul>
<li>Proactive culture of safety</li>
<li>Optimized quality management</li>
<li>Established credibility</li>
<li>Improved customer confidence</li>
</ul>
<p>To get ISO 17025-certified, follow the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/iso-17025/#stepscertification">practical steps outlined in our checklist guide</a>.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Create Your Own ISO 17025 Audit Checklist&#8221;]</p>
<h3>ISO 17025 training</h3>
<p>Making sure that your workers, managers, and leaders are well-informed and skilled in laboratory <a href="https://safetyculture.com/safety/">safety</a> and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/quality/">quality</a> practices is key to building a sustainable system of industry-standard processes. Provide ample <a href="https://safetyculture.com/training/">training</a> programs so that ISO 17025 compliance measures can be improved, strictly enforced, and maintained. Along the way, encourage employees to always practice putting consumer safety and legal obligations in mind and at the heart of what they do.</p>


A Guide to Understanding ISO 17025

ISO 17025

<h2><a id="History-of-Modern-Hotels"></a>History of Modern Hotels</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As long-distance travel in the medieval ages took days, it was common to seek shelter in the middle of one’s trip to rest for the night. Initially, travelers stayed in people’s homes, borrowing a room or bed, or anywhere they’re allowed in the property. These rooms were called “</span><a href="https://tourismteacher.com/the-history-of-the-hotel-industry-understanding-tourism/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hospitia</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,” derived from the word “hospitality.” From there, businessmen realized that housing travelers can be a profitable business, leading to hospitia rooms being commercialized and the creation of inns. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most of the first inns were found around Europe and were catered to pilgrims and government workers. These inns provided lodging and no food or other amenities, as their primary purpose was to give travelers a place to rest in. However, as time passed, in-house restaurants began growing famous, followed by a wide variety of amenities offered for leisure. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It wasn’t until the introduction of guest registers that inns slowly became the modern hotels of today. They began to provide more to their guests, turning the act of staying in an inn or hotel into something leisurely. Following the industrial revolution, travel became easier and hotel establishments also changed their plumbing and structural forms, providing guests with baths and later, free soaps. They also began employing staff members to come in regularly and take days off as they pleased, turning hotels into a place of work as well. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With travel becoming easier and more affordable, different types of hotels were created in time with a boom in tourism worldwide. This led to a boom in hotels as well, creating more management processes and thus creating the modern hotel management system today. </span></p>
<h2><a id="Difference-Between-Hospitality-Management-and-Hotel-Management"></a>Difference Between Hospitality Management and Hotel Management</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hotel management and </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/hospitality-management/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hospitality management</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are both parts of the tourism sector and deal with interactions with customers. However, their main </span><a href="https://www.torontosom.ca/blog/difference-between-hospitality-management-and-hotel-management" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">difference </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">lies in the nature of their work.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jobs related to hospitality management are concerned with different industries such as food and beverage, travel, event management, casino management, resort management, and more, making it an umbrella term. On the other hand, hotel management is different as they only focus on the hotel industry. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the principles of hotel management are also tied to hospitality, making it fall under hospitality management. This is because hotel managers carry out the same tasks while still putting hospitality at the center of their work, but centralizing it to their establishment. </span></p>
<h2><a id="Importance-of-Hotel-Management-Systems"></a>Importance of Hotel Management Systems</h2>
<div id="attachment_124906" style="width: 631px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/hotel-checklist" rel="noopener"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-124906" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-124906 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Hotel-Checklist-Template.png" alt="Hotel Checklist Template" width="621" height="873" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-124906" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/hotel-checklist">Hotel Checklist Template | SafetyCulture</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Managing the different aspects of a hotel can be a stressful task, especially for head hotel managers who have to oversee everything. With the rise in customers and hotels around the world, hotel managers have switched from using traditional guest lists and other checklists and using digital templates instead. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hotel management systems and software or apps today are now substituting the traditional pen and paper ways of documentation. With these, hotel managers can oversee their establishments and workers from anywhere in the hotel and anytime, all in one place. This can save them time from doing multiple rounds of inspection on foot, personally approaching their staff, and watching all of their tasks at once. The time spent can then be used on other essential tasks that need more concentration and effort. Having their documents digitized also promotes less waste in the workplace as it removes the need for paper and stores all digital paperwork in the cloud. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some </span><a href="https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4092670.html" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">things having a hotel management system can help with </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keeping track of guest lists and reservations</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Managing customer data and customer service </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Creating and maintaining <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/hotel-housekeeping/">housekeeping</a> schedules </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://safetyculture.com/training/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Training </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">housekeeping and other related <a href="https://www.edapp.com/search/?searchTerm=hotel">hotel</a> management staff on work, health, and safety procedures</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="iAuditor-for-Managing-Hotels"></a>SafetyCulture for Managing Hotels</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A hotel management app hotel managers can consider using is <a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/">SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor)</a>. SafetyCulture can help with hotel management by making processes more seamless and efficient with its smart checklists that can be used for related tasks. Hotel managers can choose to create their own checklists from scratch, upload their existing ones into the app, or use a pre-existing template from the </span><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/search/?q=hotel%20management&amp;page=1" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Public Library</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and modify accordingly based on their needs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using SafetyCulture, hotel managers can improve safety in the workplace by making it easier for employees to alert others of problems by reporting </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/issues/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Issues</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, assigning </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/actions/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actions </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">to address them, and raising a </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/heads-up/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heads Up</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to their team. Reported problems can also </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">prompt certain actions to be taken</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or for </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">additional fields </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">to appear for employees to provide more details, as well as photos, videos, and notes. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other things possible with SafetyCulture are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">QR codes</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for faster inspections of guest rooms, service areas, and other amenities while on the go</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Generating</span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/reporting-analytics/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> analytical reports</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> based on completed inspections </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Monitoring temperature-sensitive locations and tasks by </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/monitoring/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">integrating sensor readings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> into checklists </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Managing cleaning, housekeeping, and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/hotel-maintenance/">maintenance</a> shifts by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">scheduling inspection and cleaning times</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in-app</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sharing templates and completed inspection checklists to the whole organization or to specific individuals only </span></li>
<li>Ensuring compliance with different hotel standards such as the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/hotel-management/forbes-standards/">Forbes standards</a> and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/hospitality-management/lqa-standards/">Leading Quality Assurance (LQA) standards</a></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more about how SafetyCulture can help with hotel management with </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/customers/accor-hotel-group/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Accor Hotel Group</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">’s story. SafetyCulture has not only improved their hotel management, but also their revenue and their reputation among customers and other hotels. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using SafetyCulture, they were able to address customers’ issues promptly, save time, and improve on their operational efficiency with minimal effort. All audits are synchronized in real time and stored in one place, making it easy for all leaders to gather data immediately and make changes to their processes as needed. </span></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Discover how Accor delivered 5-star service while staying COVID-safe" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/io6em1a1_iE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>


A Short Guide to Hotel Management

Hospitality Management

Hotel Management

<p>ISO 14001 belongs to the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/iso-14000/">ISO 14000 family</a> of EMS standards, with its latest version published in 2015. On the other hand, <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/iso-14004/">ISO 14004</a> complements this standard by laying out guidelines for proper implementation.</p>
<h2><a id="Why-Should-I-Get-Certified"></a>Why Should I Get Certified?</h2>
<p>While not a requirement, obtaining an ISO 14001 certification offers numerous advantages to your company.</p>
<p>First, the <a href="https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100371.pdf">ISO 14001 standard</a> provides a holistic framework for managing and addressing environmental issues. It enables you to enhance your environmental performance through decreased utility consumption and optimal use of resources. And in doing so, it paves the way for more efficient processes across the board, thereby reducing operational costs.</p>
<p>Aside from financial gains, an ISO-certified EMS also gives your organization a competitive edge. Communicating your environmental efforts builds trust and confidence in your brand, especially for environmentally-conscious stakeholders. These consumers would gladly subscribe to your product or service, given the causes you put forward.</p>
<p>Lastly, getting certified for <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/iso-14001/">ISO 14001</a> shows your readiness to comply with environmental and other relevant legislation and demonstrates your commitment to caring for the environment.</p>
<h2><a id="Scope"></a>Scope</h2>
<p>The ISO 14001 standard encompasses environmental systems, auditing mechanisms, communication channels, labels, and operational analyses, among other things. Moreover, it tackles an array of <a href="https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100372.pdf">environmental issues</a> ranging from the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pollution</li>
<li>Water and sewage systems</li>
<li>Waste management</li>
<li>Soil contamination</li>
<li>Efficient use of resources</li>
<li>Climate change</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="Requirements"></a>Requirements</h2>
<p>ISO 14001 is composed of the following requirements that organizations must follow to implement a high-standard <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/environmental-management-system/">EMS</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Environmental policy</strong> – This document expresses the organization’s commitment to upholding its environmental responsibilities in line with its goals and legal obligations.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental objectives</strong> – The upper management develops these targets to help them create environmental decisions for the business. It should specify the responsible personnel, timeline, and monitoring mechanisms for every objective.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental risk and opportunities assessment</strong> – It identifies and analyzes potential hazards and improvement opportunities associated with the organization’s business activities, in line with the standard’s risk-based approach. An example of this is having an <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/ehs-audit/" rel="noopener">Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) audit</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental evaluation</strong> – It examines the environmental effects of the organization’s operations and measures their <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/environmental-aspects-and-impacts-register/">impacts</a> using a risk rating system. Activities include utilities, waste generation, effluent disposal mechanisms, and air emissions.</li>
<li><strong>Operational control processes</strong> – The ISO 14001 standard allows organizations to implement EMS operational controls that suit their business and industry needs. Documenting these procedures, however, is a must to observe compliance with legal requirements and environmental objectives.</li>
<li><strong>Emergency preparedness and response protocols</strong> – Organizations must enforce a plan to prepare for and handle emergency cases while minimizing their <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/environmental-impact-assessment-template/">environmental impact</a>. Examples of emergencies include chemical spills, power loss, and floods.</li>
<li><strong>List of interested parties, regulatory, and other requirements</strong> – This document specifies the parties integral to the organization’s functions and their obligations to those stakeholders. It also outlines strategies to meet said obligations without harming the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Documentation of compliance obligations</strong> – This procedure takes note of and reviews the organization’s existing legal obligations, including the changes made throughout the process.</li>
<li><strong>Proof of competence</strong> – This record proves that the organization’s employees can follow their environmental responsibilities. It includes training, assessment, and upskilling programs.</li>
<li><strong>Communication records</strong> – This criterion ensures that internal and external stakeholders are informed of the environmental objectives and their roles in contributing to the cause. It involves communication materials inside and outside the organization through email, meetings, contracts, and more.</li>
<li><strong>Performance monitoring</strong> – Organizations must also keep track of their performance status and how it matches the set objectives. Gauging the effectiveness of the current protocols involve knowing what, when, and how to measure the organization’s environmental performance.</li>
<li><strong>Internal audit programs</strong> – Organizations must also report their findings from the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/environmental-audit/">environmental audits</a> they conduct internally. It should describe the organization’s environmental performance and note opportunities for improvement.</li>
<li><strong>Management review</strong> – Maintaining an effective EMS requires periodic assessments from the top leaders. Recording the results of <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/management-review-template/">these reviews</a> is essential to determine if the current strategies are still in line with the ISO 14001 standard.</li>
<li><strong>Nonconformity and corrective actions</strong> – ISO 14001 requires organizations to monitor instances where the standards were not followed and describe how they were resolved.</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="Steps-for-ISO-14001-Certification"></a>7 Steps for ISO 14001 Certification</h2>
<p>After discussing the scope and requirements, it’s time to learn the process to gain an ISO 14001 certification. This section briefly runs through the certification process to help you get started.</p>
<p>It’s important to note ISO itself doesn’t issue the certificates, so it’s best to look into third-party accreditation bodies for this procedure.</p>
<h3>Step 1: Understand How the Certification Works.</h3>
<p>Carrying out ISO’s EMS standards becomes futile without fully understanding what they entail. For this reason, it’s crucial to research and read how ISO 14001 works and how to implement it in your organization effectively. Plenty of online sources and guides are available at your disposal, starting with the <a href="https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:14001:ed-3:v1:en">ISO website</a>.</p>
<h3>Step 2: Perform Internal Audits to Identify Gaps in Your Current EMS.</h3>
<p>The next step is to conduct an <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/environmental-audit/">internal audit of your EMS operations</a>. This audit imparts valuable insights into your EMS’ strengths and deficiencies compared to the ISO’s standards. The following <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/iso-14001/">checklists</a> can help you determine how your current EMS aligns with ISO 14001.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Create Your Own ISO 14001 Audit Checklist&#8221;]</p>
<h3>Step 3: Plan out an ISO-compliant EMS strategy.</h3>
<p>Findings from your preliminary EMS audit become valuable data for the next step: planning. Integrate these results in your EMS <a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/iso-14001-legal-compliance-audit">compliance</a> and <a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/iso-14001-ems-monitoring-plan">monitoring plan</a> to ensure your operations align with the ISO 14001 requirements. Preparing a plan beforehand sets the pace and guides you in systematically managing environmental issues stemming from your processes.</p>
<h3>Step 4: Train Your Employees.</h3>
<p>Before carrying out the plan, you must first <a href="https://safetyculture.com/training/">train</a> your staff members about the modifications in your EMS procedures and, if needed, provide learning materials about ISO 14001. This procedure equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their responsibilities and comply with ISO standards.</p>
<h3>Step 5: Carry Out the EMS Plan.</h3>
<p>After developing a plan and training your employees, you are now ready to carry out the ISO-aligned EMS. This <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/iso-14001/">guide</a> presents the <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/pdca/">Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)</a> way of implementing ISO 14001 standards in your processes.</p>
<p>Be sure to monitor your progress at set intervals (e.g., weekly, monthly, bi-monthly) and observe any recurring patterns that can hinder you from effectively fulfilling the criteria of ISO 14001.</p>
<h3>Step 6: Document Your Operations Accordingly.</h3>
<p>Documentation is an integral part of the ISO 14001 certification process. It’s critical to record the results of implementing the EMS plan, as it proves that your operations comply with ISO’s EMS standards.</p>
<p>Keeping track and updating your records becomes easier with digital tools. Not only is it better for the environment by replacing paper documents with digital forms, but it also stores your data in a secured online space, so you won’t need to worry about losing any documents.</p>
<h3>Step 7: Find an Accreditation Body.</h3>
<p>Once you’re confident with your preparations, it’s time to apply for the certification. You can find legitimate certifying bodies in your country using the <a href="https://www.iafcertsearch.org/search/certification-bodies">International Accreditation Forum CertSearch</a>, a portal from ISO.</p>
<p>Your chosen institution will run an audit to verify if your EMS complies with the criteria set in the ISO 14001 standards. Once your organization satisfies the requirements, the accrediting body will grant you the ISO EMS certification.</p>


Enhancing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) with ISO 14001

inspectores que realizan una auditoría para iso 14001

ISO 14001

<h2><a id="Importance-and-Uses"></a>Importance and Uses </h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the general </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/">commissioning</a> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">process, a commissioning plan serves as the basis or foundation for all tasks and schedules. Not only does the commissioning plan have the list of responsibilities of those involved in a project, but it also contains the tasks to be done, schedules to be followed, goals to be achieved, and target dates. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A commissioning plan also details safety and health requirements to be followed for the whole commissioning process. Additionally, a commissioning plan also contains the quality standards to be followed by everyone involved for every process, ensuring everyone is aligned when it comes to quality and safety protocols. Having a commissioning plan also makes it easy to hand over projects should there be a change in leadership, as the plan would have all the necessary information for carrying out the project. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although some processes and needs may change along the way, having a commissioning plan </span><a href="https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Commissioning_plan" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">as early as possible</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is important to any project. Even though it can change throughout the project process, creating a commissioning plan first can help visualize the steps to take, the roadblocks that can be encountered, and the expected costs to prepare for at the onset of the project. These can be changed later depending on the situation. </span></p>
<h2><a id="Elements-of-a-Commissioning-Plan"></a>Elements of a Commissioning Plan</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is no strict way to create a commissioning plan. Each can be modified depending on the industry, product to be evaluated, and the need for the commissioning, as well as on the conditions under which a project is expected to be carried out. For example, there can be a specific commissioning plan for</span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/hvac-commissioning/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) commissioning</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span></a><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/building-commissioning/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">building commissioning</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and electrical or energy commissioning. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, generally, a commissioning plan should have the </span><a href="https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Commissioning_plan" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">following</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Description, goals, and scope of the project as agreed upon by all parties</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Responsibilities of those involved in the project</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">List of materials needed and </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/supplier-selection/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">where to get them</span></a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Checklists used and to be used in the project </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.wbdg.org/building-commissioning" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Diagrams </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">of products and sites to be evaluated or modified </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Installation processes and schedules to be followed </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For all the elements of the commissioning plan, checklists are essential. There are </span><a href="https://commissioningandstartup.com/the-commissioning-process-a-step-by-step-guide/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pre-commissioning checklists</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that are made before and during the commissioning plan creation stage, and there are checklists that are also created during the commissioning process itself. These checklists ensure that all processes agreed upon are followed, as well as all equipment needed is obtained and maintained discussed. Using checklists in commissioning plans and in the project itself can also ensure all safety and quality standards are being followed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Said commissioning plan checklists also have no certain rules for their creation. Similar to commissioning plans, there are different ways to </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklist-app/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">create and maintain checklists</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> depending on the nature of the project. Using a digital checklist tool for commissioning plan checklists will also be more beneficial as digital checklists are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">easier to share and use on the go;</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">faster to set up and organize;</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">more efficient to compile; and</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">more flexible.  </span></li>
</ul>
<p><div id="attachment_143253" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/commissioning-checklist-Q4Gk4" rel="noopener"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-143253" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-143253 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Commissioning-Checklist-1.png" alt="Sample equipment commissioning checklist for a commissioning plan" width="600" height="800" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-143253" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/commissioning-checklist-Q4Gk4">Commissioning Checklist | SafetyCulture</a></p></div> <div id="attachment_143267" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/equipment-commissioning-checklist" rel="noopener"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-143267" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-143267 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Equipment-Commissioning-Checklist-1.png" alt="Sample equipment commissioning checklist for a commissioning plan" width="600" height="800" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-143267" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/equipment-commissioning-checklist" rel="noopener">Equipment Commissioning Checklist | SafetyCulture</a></p></div> <div id="attachment_143273" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/hvac-commissioning-checklist" rel="noopener"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-143273" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-143273 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/HVAC-Commissioning-Checklist-1.png" alt="Sample HVAC-specific commissioning checklist for a commissioning plan" width="600" height="800" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-143273" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/products/hvac-commissioning-checklist">HVAC Commissioning Checklist | SafetyCulture</a></p></div></p>
<h2><a id="iAuditor-for-Commissioning"></a>SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) for Commissioning </h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consider using <a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/" rel="noopener">SafetyCulture</a> for creating and maintaining your commissioning plan. </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SafetyCulture</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">is a digital inspection and checklist tool that can be used for all your commissioning needs. With <a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/" rel="noopener">SafetyCulture</a>, you can convert your existing commissioning plan templates from Excel for use in the app, use a </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/commissioning-ultimate-collection/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">commissioning template</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from the </span><a href="https://public-library.safetyculture.io/search/?q=Commissioning&amp;page=1" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Public Library</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and modify it as needed, or create a new one from scratch. After, you can share your checklists with those you authorize, such as your team members, your commissioning team, and your superiors. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All <a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/" rel="noopener">SafetyCulture</a> checklists are also uploaded to the cloud where they can be accessed anytime and anywhere, allowing for quick inspections and audits on the go. Changes in any checklists are also reflected in real-time, including offline work—which immediately syncs back to the cloud once the internet connection is restored.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other things <a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/" rel="noopener">SafetyCulture</a> allows you to do are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use </span><a href="https://help.safetyculture.com/en_us/1704001579-Sk7k9qbjv" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">QR codes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for faster inspections </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://help.safetyculture.com/en_us/1064010777-SJ8X8DtVv" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schedule </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">inspections to check up on the commissioning process or to ensure that the commissioning plan is being followed </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Report problems in the commissioning plan by raising </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/issues/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Issues</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, assigning </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/actions/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actions </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">to specific people to address them, and providing a </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/heads-up/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heads Up</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to the team</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">View data reported in checklists at a glance using the </span><a href="https://safetyculture.com/reporting-analytics/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">analytics </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">tool</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://safetyculture.com/integrations/" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Integrate </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">with different work and project management apps such as Microsoft Excel, </span><a href="https://help.safetyculture.com/en_us/1514571103-SkUXQp9Hv" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Power BI</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://help.safetyculture.com/en_us/1063814620-ryHCOvYED" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tableau</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and more</span></li>
</ul>


A Short Guide on Commissioning Plans

Commissioning Plan

<p>Building <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/">commissioning</a> is critical for facilities wanting to be compliant with regulations and obtain sustainability certifications such as <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/leed/">LEED</a> and <a href="https://www.energystar.gov/">ENERGY STAR</a>. Commissioning agents work together with the project architects and contractors to perform the following tasks:</p>
<ul>
<li>Examine and cross-check construction documents</li>
<li>Assess claims about construction materials</li>
<li>Test and validate equipment upon installation</li>
<li>Check if Operations and Maintenance (O&amp;M) personnel receive adequate training</li>
<li>Follow <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/good-documentation-practices/">good documentation practices</a> for building systems</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="Why-is-it-Important"></a>Why is it Important?</h2>
<p>Building commissioning is an integral element of a successful construction project. Certain green energy laws even require this process to ensure the readiness and reliability of a building for occupancy. But how exactly does it benefit property owners and construction teams?</p>
<h3>Improving Energy Usage</h3>
<p>Energy efficiency is one of the major advantages of building commissioning. This process offers a cost-effective way to <a href="https://www.wbdg.org/building-commissioning">minimize energy and water use in buildings</a>, allowing owners to conserve energy and boost their environmental performance.</p>
<h3>Identifying Gaps in Construction</h3>
<p>Architects, contractors, and project managers handle a huge bulk of the construction work. Even so, many details can get lost in the process if things are left solely in their hands and without proper coordination that building commissioning can provide. There arises a need for another set of eyes to monitor, document, and verify regulatory compliance and building quality.</p>
<p>This is where commissioning agents come into the picture. It’s their job to spot and resolve deficiencies early in the design and construction phase before opening the facility for public use.</p>
<h3>Minimizing O&amp;M Costs</h3>
<p>Building commissioning also helps decrease operational and maintenance costs. Incorporating it in the construction process allows owners and managers to detect issues early and avoid potential expenses if caught later.</p>
<p>A study from the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/new-doe-research-strengthens-business-case-building-commissioning">Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA)</a> reported that commissioning led to lower construction costs per square foot and in totality for newly-built facilities.</p>
<h3>Enhancing Overall Building Performance</h3>
<p>Ultimately, building commissioning is all about optimizing building systems for better performance. <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/new-doe-research-strengthens-business-case-building-commissioning">Research</a> shows that building commissioning elevates an existing facility’s performance by:</p>
<ul>
<li>enhancing thermal comfort;</li>
<li>improving the air quality inside the building;</li>
<li>streamlining O&amp;M systems through documentation;</li>
<li>meeting the expectations of the property owner; and</li>
<li>addressing and mitigating risks associated with poor building performance.</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="Building-Systems-for-Commissioning"></a>Building Systems for Commissioning</h2>
<p>Building commissioning often includes a thorough check of the building’s internal and external systems. Commissioners must ensure that the following systems function as intended and are in their best condition before signing them off to the owner:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Mechanical</strong> – <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/hvac-commissioning/">Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems</a>, elevators, building automation systems</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/electrical-hazards/">Electrical</a></strong> – switches, transformers, generators, and emergency power sources</li>
<li><strong>Lighting</strong> – energy-efficient lighting sources and lighting controls</li>
<li><a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/plumbing-inspection/"><strong>Plumbing</strong></a> – pipes, water supply channels, and more</li>
<li><strong>Building envelope</strong> – wall assembly, foundation, roofing, and window glazing</li>
<li><strong>Laboratories</strong> – toxic gas monitoring, gas distribution, and process cooling water systems</li>
<li><strong>Life safety</strong> – <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/fire-extinguisher/">fire extinguishers</a>, alarms, sprinklers, and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/smoke-detector-inspection/">smoke detectors</a></li>
</ul>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Digitize the way you Work&#8221; body=&#8221;Empower your team with SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, and automate tasks with our digital platform.&#8221; btn_txt=&#8221;Get Started for Free&#8221; btn_link=&#8221;https://app.safetyculture.com/sign-up&#8221;]</p>
<h2><a id="Building-Commissioning-Process-Documents"></a>Building Commissioning Process Documents</h2>
<p>Documentation is crucial to the success of a building commissioning process. Not only does it demonstrate regulatory compliance, but it also serves as reference material for the entire project team throughout the building construction process.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/12/f5/sustainable_guide_ch9.pdf">U.S. Department of Energy</a> provides a list of documents you must prepare at every stage of the building commissioning process.</p>
<h3>Conceptualization</h3>
<ul>
<li>Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)</li>
<li>Design bid specifications document</li>
<li>Project design intent documentation</li>
</ul>
<h3>Baseline Development</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/commissioning-plan/">Commissioning plan</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Final Design</h3>
<ul>
<li>Construction bid documents</li>
<li>Pre-functional checklists</li>
</ul>
<h3>Construction</h3>
<ul>
<li>Functional performance test procedures</li>
<li>Functional performance test checklists</li>
</ul>
<h3>Verification</h3>
<ul>
<li>Commissioning report</li>
<li>Training materials</li>
<li>O&amp;M manuals</li>
<li>Recommissioning management manuals</li>
</ul>
<h3>Operations</h3>
<ul>
<li>Post-occupancy optimization report</li>
</ul>
<h2><a id="Challenges-in-Commissioning-Buildings"></a>Challenges in Commissioning Buildings</h2>
<p>After walking through the process and necessary documents, it’s time to discuss the challenges with commissioning buildings. Here are four common obstacles that building owners and commissioning agents alike might encounter during the building commissioning process.</p>
<h3>Aligning Owner and Tenant Goals</h3>
<p>At their core, most commissioning projects compose of ready-made buildings for tenants. The builders have already added the necessary systems and furnishings to make the building functional. However, the tenant might have different goals in mind when occupying the facility.</p>
<p>For example, a facility will have basic electrical and airflow systems. But the tenant might want to use it for storing food items, as per the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, they might require additional fixtures to transform their space into an FDA-approved facility.</p>
<h3>Adhering to Building Commissioning Regulations</h3>
<p>Aside from the OPR, building commissioning must also follow various national, regional, and local laws. These laws often entail different sets of requirements that might be difficult to keep track of.</p>
<p>Proper documentation at all stages is key to solving this problem. This helps commissioning agents determine if they are incorporating these regulatory requirements into the entire commissioning process.</p>
<h3>Documenting Building Performance</h3>
<p>Building performance is essential for green building rating programs such as LEED, <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/breeam/">BREEAM</a>, Green Globes, and ENERGY STAR. And these standards come with varying performance requirements that commissioning agents should assess during the entire process.</p>
<p>For this reason, it’s a must to document every step of the building process. However, doing so can become tedious given the complexities of building performance reporting.</p>
<p>Fortunately, digital systems such as <a href="https://safetyculture.com/platform/">SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor)</a> contain features for streamlining these tasks while minimizing human error and improving accuracy.</p>


A Brief Guide to Building Commissioning

Facility Management

Maintenance

Building Commissioning

<h2><strong><a id="importance"></a>Importance</strong></h2>
<p>Building owners, contractors, and engineers must have proper documentation on how the HVAC systems are functioning. This is so they can pinpoint and resolve issues, and further improve HVAC performance. Also, HVAC commissioning is vital to ensure that the project requirements are met and to avoid the need for repairs and callbacks in the long run.</p>
<h2><strong><a id="benefits"></a>Benefits</strong></h2>
<p>Take a look at how HVAC commissioning benefits various settings:</p>
<h3>Efficiency</h3>
<p>In the general context of commercial buildings, HVAC systems are usually one of the biggest energy consumers. If the installation doesn’t operate correctly, it can affect the overall performance of the system and further increase energy consumption.</p>
<h3>Safety</h3>
<p>In the workplace, a well-functioning and properly maintained <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/hvac-systems/">HVAC system</a> is essential to provide employees with a safe, comfortable, and pleasant working environment. This makes the workplace conducive to productivity and helps in avoiding <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/heat-stress/">heat stress</a>, which, if not addressed, can then lead to <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/heat-illness/">heat illness</a>.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/hvac-commissioning">US Office of Energy Efficiency &amp; Renewable Energy (EERE)</a> cites that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommend that building owners and contractors must perform measures to ensure that HVAC systems are functioning properly, especially for schools, among others.</p>
<p>[sc_cta title=&#8221;Digitize the way you Work&#8221; body=&#8221;Empower your team with SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, and automate tasks with our digital platform.&#8221; btn_txt=&#8221;Get Started for Free&#8221; btn_link=&#8221;https://app.safetyculture.com/sign-up&#8221;]</p>
<h2><strong><a id="main-types-of-HVAC-commissioning"></a>3 Main Types of HVAC Commissioning</strong></h2>
<p>Similar to the main types of the general <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/">commissioning</a> process, the method of HVAC commissioning also takes various forms:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Initial <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/commissioning-ultimate-collection/">Commissioning</a>:</strong> Such a process is done to HVAC systems that are less than a year old, and those that are first installed in new or existing <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/building-commissioning/">buildings</a>. This may also refer to post-construction commissioning.</li>
<li><strong>Retro-Commissioning:</strong> On the other hand, this type of commissioning is performed on HVAC systems that are more than a year old, and haven’t been commissioned yet when the building’s construction was completed.</li>
<li><strong>Re-Commissioning:</strong> This happens when the building owner wants to verify, enhance, or document how the current system works. Hence, re-commissioning applies to existing HVAC systems that were commissioned already and need another process of commissioning.</li>
</ul>
<p>It’s important to note that before any construction work begins, the type of HVAC commissioning must be determined according to how the building or infrastructure requires it.</p>
<h2><strong><a id="process"></a>Process</strong></h2>
<p>HVAC commissioning must also be part of the 4 stages of building <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/construction-safety/">construction</a> to carry out its most effective results. Here’s a brief overview of an ideal process:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Pre-design:</strong> The draft of the initial <a href="https://safetyculture.com/topics/commissioning/commissioning-plan/">commissioning plan</a>, which contains the detailed processes and guidelines in building construction, must also include the building owner’s expectations of how the HVAC system should operate. This is to ensure that the necessary commissioning team will be assembled and the standard requirements will be met.</li>
<li><strong>Design:</strong> HVAC commissioning engineers and providers must work hand-in-hand with mechanical contractors to be aligned with the commissioning requirements based on the needs of the building.</li>
<li><strong>Construction:</strong> HVAC commissioning in the construction phase usually involves thorough verification of the system if the correct equipment was delivered to the site. As such, any changes to the contract documents must be recorded accordingly.</li>
<li><strong>Occupancy:</strong> During this phase, the HVAC commissioning plan or manual must be created so that stakeholders have a guiding document moving forward.</li>
</ol>
<p>Moreover, the HVAC commissioning procedure involves the following steps:</p>
<div id="attachment_143304" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-143304" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-143304 size-full" src="https://wp-website.safetyculture.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/HVAC-Commissioning-Process-1.png" alt="HVAC Commissioning Process" width="700" height="400" /><p id="caption-attachment-143304" class="wp-caption-text">HVAC Commissioning Process</p></div>
<h3>Inspecting the HVAC system</h3>
<p>Once the mechanical contractor confirms the successful <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/hvac-installation/">installation of the HVAC system</a>, it’s now up for a thorough check by an HVAC commissioning engineer. The verification process involves assessing if the equipment has been correctly installed in its proper location. Moreover, commissioning engineers are in charge of ensuring that the installation is up to the requirements of the manufacturer. Using standardized checklists in conducting <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/hvac-maintenance/">HVAC maintenance</a>, inspections, and <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/hvac-commissioning/">commissioning</a> is highly recommended.</p>
<h3>Checking how the equipment operates</h3>
<p>Now that the installation is verified, HVAC engineers or operators now have to observe the equipment and how it’s working. Through in-depth inspection and documentation, they need to double-check and record the equipment’s key functions: startup, shutdown, and sequence of operation. If and when system issues arise, those are then reported to the mechanical contractors in a timely manner.</p>
<h3>Performing TAB</h3>
<p>Once installation, verification, and observation are all done, the HVAC system is now ready for Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB). TAB is the systematic method of <a href="https://safetyculture.com/checklists/calibration-forms/">calibrating</a> HVAC units and it is conducted by HVAC contractors, especially on commercial buildings. Its goal is to measure, adjust, and improve air and water flows to meet specific requirements and achieve optimal air quality. Ultimately, conducting TAB in the commissioning of HVAC systems helps in maintaining their overall performance and life span.</p>


A Short Guide to HVAC Commissioning

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