Wherever in the world, built environment professionals should have a common cause – to deliver effective buildings that perform as the client expected. Buildings, whatever the use, demand enormous resources throughout their life - and, in many cases, will waste a large proportion. To maintain reputation and risk, many design for conditions that rarely occur, employing unrealistic 'safety' margins delivering compromised installations that often lack proper commissioning due to over-running programmes. Through real-world examples this will show how, by 'putting its head above the parapet' collaboratively working across the whole supply chain HVAC&R professionals can deliver truly effective buildings.