Monitoring protocols emphasize the methodological aspects of building monitoring projects, as opposed to hardware and/or data logging aspects. Too often project planning tends to be hardware oriented, with insufficient emphasis on data analysis and development of data products that meet the project’s goals and objectives. Monitoring projects have also been criticized for gathering excessive data for which there is no clear use. The development and use of monitoring p[otocols can resolve these shortcomings. However, the diverse nature of monitoring projects realistically precludes a universal protocol applicable to all monitoring efforts.

A workable procedure for monitoring protocol development and dissemination should include the following major elements:

A classification system for defining building monitoring activities and associated protocols.

A "guide specification," which provides a consistent format for communicating the methodological requirements of a particular protocol.

Standard terminology and definitions that further specify the monitoring protocol requirements.

This paper describes and recommends a uniform, but flexible procedure for the development of such protocols for a broad range of building monitoring activities. Also described is a consistent format (or guide specification) for the documentation of tested monitoring protocols and dissemination to interested parties on a voluntary basis.