Managing Projects

Once you have set up your profile and learned to navigate the DDx, you can begin to add and manage projects. These help pages detail three ways to add projects - direct input through the DDx, bulk import, and via energy modeling software API - along with specifics on input fields (both required and optional), adding collaborators, reports, project submission, and other basic project management such as navigating the project dashboard and deleting projects.

Firms are encouraged to regularly input and track projects in the DDx on an ongoing basis. Tracking can be done on an ongoing basis, with portfolio submission due March 31 for the preceding calendar year. (For 2020 projects, the deadline has been extended to April 30, 2021, in recognition of the impacts of COVID-19). All design projects meeting the following criteria should be included:

• Was in an active design phase during the report calendar year (Conceptual, Schematic, Design Development, Construction Documents or Construction Administration);
• Architectural projects with minimum scope including HVAC system modifications or substantial envelope modifications;
• OR interiors-only projects which included lighting design.

For projects in the conceptual phases, use type and gross square footage must be established. You also have the option to designate a project as On Hold.

Projects which were not in a design phase during the calendar year should not be included. A project currently under construction should only be included if it was in a design phase during the calendar year or if construction-phase modifications to envelope design or building systems were substantial enough to warrant a revised energy model or code compliance calculation.

There may be some ambiguity on whether to include certain projects. Consider whether: 1) “It could help clients save money by further integrating energy analysis and metrics into my practice”; and/or 2) “It will boost my firm’s profile by developing new sustainability approaches and creating a firm culture that exemplifies sustainable design”.

We don't suggest including a project just because the data looks good, in the same way we don't recommend leaving one out because it is not meeting the goal. Ultimately, the 2030 Commitment is intended to be primarily an internal practice tool to accurately portray your firm’s progress.

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