Building performance evaluation v post-occupancy evaluation
Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) is a form of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) which can be used at any point in a building's life to assess energy performance and occupant comfort and to make comparisons with design targets.
Post occupancy evaluation (POE) is the process of evaluating a completed development to determine:
- How successful its delivery was.
- How successful the completed development is.
- Where there is potential for further improvement
- What lessons can be learned for future projects.
BSRIA suggest that “Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) constitutes the activities of the BPE process once the building is occupied and in use, focussing on the operational performance and the occupants of the building. It is important to know to what extent the building maintains its occupants’ satisfaction and perceived comfort. To do this in a systematic and structured way, post-occupancy evaluation (POE) can be employed as a major part of BPE. This would involve collecting feedback (soft data) from the occupants through survey questionnaires, interviews and / or workshops, ideally at least one year after building occupation to cover at least on seasonal cycle.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building performance evaluation.
- Building performance evaluation in non-domestic buildings guide – an introduction to the tests and methods in non-domestic buildings.
- Building performance metrics.
- Client commissioning.
- Defects liability period.
- Extended aftercare.
- Handover to client.
- Initial aftercare.
- Lessons learned report.
- Performance in use.
- Post occupancy evaluation.
- Post project review.
- Smart meters and building performance evaluation.
- Snagging.
- Soft landings.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.