Engaging stakeholders in performance-based building: lessons from the Performance-Based Building (PeBBu) Network

Despite decades of recognition and development, performance-based thinking and practice have not been as widely adopted by industry. To address this, the Performance-Based Building (PeBBu) Networks in Europe and Australia engaged a wide variety of industry stakeholders (on both 'supply' and 'demand' sides) in advancing the application of the performance approach in building processes. The background development, activities and accomplishments of the PeBBu Networks are presented together with some lessons learned from the experience of running the Network programmes. To engage stakeholders effectively, the performance approach should be presented as a business issue rather than primarily as a technical issue. The dominant need is for clear communication of the meaning, application and benefits of the performance approach, with emphasis on actual benefits and value.