What is it for?

The BUS analysis method is a quick and thorough but not simplistic way of obtaining professional-level feedback data on building performance, primarily from the occupants. It may be used by itself, or with other techniques as part of a post-occupancy evaluation.

By professional-level we mean:

• useful by advanced design practices and research organisations for obtaining detailed diagnostics on building performance;
• passes examination by Ethical Standards Committees (universities sometimes require internal assessment);
• statistically rigorous, to satisfy high standards of data reporting and analysis;
• interesting and easy to understand for non-specialists;
• incorporating benchmarks which are empirically sound (that is, based on results from real buildings, not simulations, theories or guesswork);
• cross-disciplinary, so that findings are equally useful for designers, managers, researchers, developers and occupiers;
• independent of other commercial interests.