Based on its experience with commissioning, Public Works Canada has been examining how the traditional short-term objectives of design and construction can be re-focused to support the long-term objective of life-cycle management in a structured fashion. A useful first step is agreement on what is meant by commissioning in the context of project delivery. Based on that, this paper introduces a management concept that can be used to express the impact of 'Long-term function' on life-cycle performance, after which a conceptual progress is discussed that can be used to develop a technical solution consistent with and supportive of that 'long-term function'. Finally, the management of change in the function of a facility is discussed.

KEYWORDS: maintenance, project managing, coordinating, commissioning, management, service life, performance.