RACKING THE BUILDING HANDOVER CODE

Simon Joss of KEO International Consultants and Mark Docherty of Optima, unpack the pitfalls and best practices in testing, commissioning, and handover

- 

When a new building rises on the city skyline, the spotlight often shines on its design, engineering marvels, or cutting-edge amenities. Yet, behind every successful project lies a critical, often underappreciated phase: the transition from construction to operation. Across many metro cities in India, where ambitious developments are the norm, mastering this transition is essential for delivering assets that perform as promised. Not just on opening day, but for decades to come.

To unpack the complexities of this process, we sat down with two industry experts Simon Joss, Project Director at KEO International Consultants, and Mark Docherty, the Operations Director at OPTIMA, KEO'S FM arm. Docherty and Joss discussed the realities, challenges, and future of testing and commissioning (T&C), and handover.

THE ART OF HANDOVER

For both Joss and Docherty, a successful handover is about more than ticking boxes or meeting deadlines. “We strive for a smooth closeout, which means comprehensive documentation and clear alignment between construction and operational readiness,” Joss explains. “Nobody wants surprises post-handover. The client's business objectives and operational needs must be met from day one.”

Docherty echoes this, emphasising the client's perspective: “Zero noise, zero pain points. The goal is to take the asset from day one and maximise return on investment. Any delays, missing information, or incomplete tasks can have major impacts.”

THE HIDDEN FRICTION