Most commissioning tools slow you down before the first test is logged. CxPlanner gets your project structured, your assets defined, and your team assigned in a single setup flow. This guide walks you through every step, from blank project to fully assigned checklists in under five minutes.
When and why to use this
Use this guide when you're kicking off a new data center commissioning project and need to get your structure in place fast. Whether you're defining commissioning levels, onboarding a new asset type, or assigning PFC and FPT checklists to your team, this is your starting point.
Only users with the project role Manager or Admin can create and configure projects. Once set up, the rest of your team gets access automatically based on their checklist assignments.
- Starting a new project: Create your asset-based project structure in one flow.
- Defining commissioning levels: Set up Level 1 through 5, with sub-levels adjustable at any time.
- Structuring assets: Add asset types and quantities. CxPlanner builds your register automatically.
- Assigning checklists: Link PFC, FPT, and Cx checklists to each asset type at each level.
- Planning tests: Assign checklists to users, companies, or groups with start and end dates.
Step 1: Create your project
Start by creating an Asset-Based project. This structure gives you the levels, asset types, and test matrix that data center commissioning requires.
- Go to Projects in the sidebar
- Select Create Asset-Based project
- Enter a project name and choose Data Center as the project type
Step 2: Define your commissioning levels
Levels represent the stages in your commissioning program. Set up the ones you need now. You can add sub-levels like 3A and 3B at any point without rebuilding your structure.
- Select the levels you want to work with, for example Level 1 through 5
- Adjust or add sub-levels if your scope requires it
Step 3: Add asset types and quantities
Tell CxPlanner what you're commissioning. Select from standard data center asset types, specify how many of each you have, and the platform builds your asset register automatically.
- Select relevant asset types, for example: ATS, PDU, Switchgear, Server Racks
- Specify the quantity for each type
- Hit Create project to generate the full asset register
A typical data center setup might include 5 ATS, 10 PDU, 5 server racks, and 10 switchboards. CxPlanner creates a named asset entry for each one.
Step 4: Configure checklists and approval workflows
Set up how your checklists flow through the project. Define dependencies between levels and configure the approval chain that works for your commissioning program.
- Go to Types: Checklists
- Create or edit checklist types for each commissioning level
- Add additional levels if needed
- Define dependencies, for example: Level 2 requires Level 1 completion before it unlocks
- Configure your approval workflow: Complete → Accept → Approve
Step 5: Assign checklists to asset types
Link your checklists to each asset type at each commissioning level. Pull from the Template Center to skip manual setup entirely and reuse proven checklist structures from previous projects.
- Go to Type: Asset
- Select an asset type, for example: ATS
- Add checklists to each level using templates from the Template Center
- Repeat for all relevant asset types and levels
Once your setup is dialed in, save it as a template. Your next data center project starts from a complete structure, not a blank page.
Step 6: Assign checklists to your team
Use Global Test View to assign checklists across your entire project at once. Assign to individual users, companies, or user groups. Add dates and CxPlanner generates your Gantt chart automatically.
- Go to Global Test View
- Navigate to a commissioning level, for example: Level 2
- Select the relevant checklists
- Assign to a user, company, or user group
- Add start and end dates to trigger automatic Gantt scheduling
Assigned users gain immediate access to their checklists. No manual permission setup required.
What your project looks like once it's set up
Once setup is complete, CxPlanner generates your full commissioning structure automatically. Your team sees exactly what needs to happen, in what order, and who is responsible.
- Asset Overview: All assets appear with assigned levels and checklist status. Your full register in one view.
- Pending checklists: Every checklist shows as Pending until work begins. Nothing falls through the cracks.
- Global Test View: A full matrix of levels vs. assets. Your entire test scope on one screen.
- Auto Gantt chart: Add dates to any assignment and CxPlanner generates your scheduling Gantt automatically.
- Team access: Assigned users gain immediate access to their checklists with no manual permission setup.
Which view should you use?
CxPlanner gives you three ways to see your project. Each answers a different question.
- Asset Overview: See your full asset register with levels and checklist status. Start here when reviewing progress by equipment type.
- Global Test View: Manage your full test matrix across all assets and levels at once. Use this for bulk assignments and progress tracking.
- Dashboard: High-level project status, configuration review, and commissioning report generation. Share this view with owners and stakeholders.
Troubleshooting common setup issues
Most setup issues trace back to one of four root causes. Find your problem below and fix it in under a minute.
- Checklists aren't visible: Checklists haven't been assigned to the asset type. Add them in Type: Asset settings.
- Users can't see their checklists: The assignment wasn't completed correctly. Go to Global Test View and reassign to the correct user, company, or group.
- Levels appear empty on assets: Checklist templates haven't been attached to those levels. Go back to Type: Asset and attach templates to each empty level.
- Project structure looks wrong: Levels were configured incorrectly during setup. Edit your level configuration in Project Settings. Structure is always adjustable.
Start your next project in minutes
Stop rebuilding your commissioning structure from scratch in Excel on every project. CxPlanner sets up your full data center program, assets, checklists, levels, assignments, and scheduling, before the first site visit.
Book a demo and we'll walk through your specific project type with you.