# SBA 544: Functional Testing vs Commissioning

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smart-buildings-academy-podcast-teaching-you-building-automation-systems-integration-and-information-technology-1107781/sba-544-functional-testing-vs-commissioning
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smart-buildings-academy-podcast-teaching-you-building-automation-systems-integration-and-information-technology-1107781/sba-544-functional-testing-vs-commissioning.md
Podcast: [The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smart-buildings-academy-podcast-teaching-you-building-automation-systems-integration-and-information-technology-1107781)
Published: 2026-04-30T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/544
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/buildingautomationmonthly/EP544_Functional_Testing_vs_Commissioning.mp3?dest-id=382251
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-smart-buildings-academy-podcast-teaching-you-building-automation-systems-integration-and-information-technology-1107781/episodes/sba-544-functional-testing-vs-commissioning
Duration seconds: 1581

## Resource

If you've ever been on a project where "commissioning" meant checking a few points and signing off, you've seen the problem firsthand. Confusion between functional testing and commissioning shows up everywhere and it quietly impacts project outcomes, budgets, and your credibility. In this episode, you'll start to see where the lines actually are and why understanding them changes how you show up on every job. This isn't about definitions. It's about protecting your work, setting expectations, and delivering buildings that actually perform. Topics Covered Why functional testing and commissioning get mixed up on real projects Where responsibilities break down between contractors and commissioning agents How scope confusion impacts cost, timelines, and accountability The role you play in educating owners and project teams Why positioning commissioning correctly builds long-term trust If you want to speak confidently with owners, GCs, and design teams, this is a conversation you need to hear.

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## Transcript

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