Which of the following is a Design-phase activity?

• A. Write commissioning specifications defining contractor responsibilities
• B. Develop the scope of commissioning
• C. Commissioning is established as part of the project
• D. The owner selects the commissioning authority

Answer: (A)

In design-phase work, you embed how the building will be tested and verified directly into the project documents so everyone knows the expectations from the start. Writing commissioning specifications that define contractor responsibilities does exactly this: it outlines who will test what, how tests will be performed, what constitutes acceptance, and what documentation is required. Placing these requirements in the design phase ensures the commissioning process is planned early, guides contractors during construction, and sets clear performance criteria for later verification.

The other items are more about project setup or procurement than the design documents themselves. Establishing that commissioning is part of the project is a governance/planning step, and selecting the commissioning authority is a procurement decision, both occurring outside the design-phase documentation. Developing the scope of commissioning is an early planning activity but not the concrete design-document action that specifies responsibilities and test criteria.