A Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) evaluates the results of the design and delivery processes, with the emphasis on evaluating the actual performance of the building and its occupants post construction.  The POE evaluates the actual performance of the building in terms of energy and water use, carbon emissions, ease of operation and maintenance, and building occupant satisfaction and comfort. The data is analyzed and compared to original design calculations, as well as nationally and regionally recognized industry standards to see how the building is performing.

The objective of any POE is to help the building owner procure, contract, plan, design, construct, occupy, maintain, and utilize facilities more effectively by measuring a project’s successes and failures through a variety of perspectives. A POE can help:

• Identify short and long-term problems in the building and outline possible solutions.
• Guide current building energy and utilization performance.
• Enhance space utilization and productivity based on feedback from building occupants.
• Improve the staff’s ability to maintain a facility based on observation from operations and maintenance personnel.
• Establish strategies, lessons learned, best practices, and processes for future construction projects of a similar nature.