Development · October 14, 2026
Building Measurement Belongs in the Development Handoff
By Adam Boskovich | Stevenson Systems
A development team works with drawings from the earliest stages of a project. But a project’s area information still needs an organized handoff when the building moves from design and construction into leasing and operations.
The question is straightforward: what information will the next team rely on, and can it explain what that information represents?
In my work advising ownership groups, developers, asset managers, property managers, leasing, and acquisition teams, I encourage clients to treat building measurement as an ongoing part of portfolio management. For development projects, that process can begin well before the final handoff.
Start with the decision the information must support
Development, design, leasing, and property management teams may use area information for different purposes. Before commissioning or circulating a measurement, define the intended use and the relevant scope.
Which areas need to be documented? Which measurement approach will be used? What source drawings are available? Who will review the results? Clarifying these questions helps the team understand the assignment and its limitations.
Distinguish design information from current building information
A drawing’s date and status matter. A preliminary design, a later revision, and documentation reflecting completed work may describe different versions of the same project.
The handoff should identify the records used, the relevant revision dates, and any items that remain unresolved. If the team has relied on drawings rather than field verification, make that scope clear. If the physical configuration changes, determine whether a review is needed.
The goal is an understandable record of what was measured and the information available at the time.
Give the leasing team an explanation, not just a total
A single area figure leaves important questions unanswered. What does it include? Which methodology and edition support it? Are there separate figures for different purposes? Which supporting documents should be used with it?
A useful handoff gives the leasing team access to the measurement documentation and a clear explanation of the figures. Where marketing materials and lease documents use different definitions, the difference should be identified and reviewed by the appropriate team.
Measurement documentation should inform the process; it does not by itself rewrite contractual terms.
Keep a short exception list
Not every item will be resolved at the same time. A practical handoff can include a list of open questions, the person responsible for each one, and the event that should trigger another review.
Examples might include an area awaiting final configuration, a discrepancy between drawing sets, or a space whose intended use has changed. Recording those exceptions helps keep uncertainty visible rather than allowing it to disappear inside a spreadsheet.
Assign responsibility after delivery
The final report should have a permanent home, a clear version, and an owner within the organization. Establish how future tenant work, renovations, or other relevant changes will be reported and reviewed.
For a developer, a strong handoff means the asset management, property management, and leasing teams can find the same supporting information and understand when it was last evaluated.
Building measurement is most useful when it remains connected to the building’s lifecycle. An organized development handoff is an opportunity to establish that discipline from the start.
About the author: Adam Boskovich advises commercial real estate ownership groups and operating teams at Stevenson Systems. His work focuses on building measurement strategy and documented portfolio measurement programs. Learn more at adamboskovich.com.