Achieving strong building energy performance requires a virtuous cycle: Design, Measure, Analyze, Adjust, Measure Again. We explore what this means in practice through the experience at a senior housing development in Massachusetts. With efficient design and a VRF system for heating and cooling, the project achieved ENERGY STAR and LEED for Homes certifications. But energy performance did not match expectations. We will present the steps the team took to assess, analyze and address the problem, including retrocommissioning and repositioning equipment. We will compare the energy performance of the property before and after to understand the impact of these actions. Finally, we will use the case study to frame a discussion of strategies that are effective during design and operations to deliver on energy performance expectations.