The Phase State of Control

Written by
Paul Campbell, VP of AI & ML Solutions
Published on
April 2, 2026

Summary

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Automation is rigid, yet transitioning to control phases provides efficacy and fluidity

In this third part of our Controls series, we look at the transition from automation to controls

Consider a better way to think about control in three stages:

  • Automation (Solid): Rigid, low visibility, high manual input
  • Dynamic Control (Liquid): Smarter, but requires constant adjustment
  • Self-Governance (Gas): Systems run in sync with real conditions, with little to no intervention

If the gas phase of automation, self-governance, is possible, why doesn’t every building use it?

Because getting there requires:

  • More sensors and better data (higher fidelity)
  • Integration across systems
  • Investment in computational intelligence

So many organizations choose automation because it's simpler, not because it’s better.

Yet the transition away from automation and toward smarter, more self-governed controls can be eased by looking at how the benefits outweigh the simplicity.



"...Active commanding is a poor substitute for deeper understanding." -- Paul Campbell

Read the full whitepaper for a full explanation of the phase states of control

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Easy? Sí, Facil. Easy? Sí, Facil. Easy? Sí,

Easy? Sí, Facil. Easy? Sí, Facil. Easy? Sí,