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The Integrative Process hinges on documenting the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)—clear performance and functional goals covering energy, water, IAQ, durability, operations, and budget—then translating them into a Basis of Design (BOD) that captures the design team’s technical responses. Involving a commissioning authority (CxA) during design adds independent verification that the evolving drawings and specifications align with the OPR and that performance risks are identified early. This feedback loop at milestones (SD, DD, CD) prevents drift, reduces redesign, and preserves opportunities for cross-disciplinary synergies. Standard specs without targeted verification often fail to reflect project-specific goals. “Buying back” performance with late equipment changes rarely addresses root causes such as envelope loads or control strategies. Post-occupancy surveys are valuable for continuous improvement but cannot replace early alignment. Maintaining OPR/BOD plus CxA review supports LEED commissioning intent, de-risks outcomes, and streamlines documentation during both design and construction.