Assessor Resource

ICTSUS6234A
Establish a business case for sustainability and competitive advantage in ICT projects

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Technical managers, supervising technicians, project managers, consultants or contractors who have responsibility for conducting or managing ICT projects apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

This unit will prepare the participant in planning and conducting cost benefit analysis and return on investment for the implementation of sustainable schemes at the enterprise level

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish a business case to justify innovative implementation of sustainability in ICT projects.

Organisations may gain competitive and operational advantage by developing sustainability plans which meet customer and stakeholder expectations and public and regulatory demands.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

candidate's involvement as a key person in establishing a business case to introduce or improve sustainability in an ICT project

implementation strategy, as part of the policy, that has been devised, implemented and reviewed showing a measurable improvement utilising the chosen benchmark indicators

communicating with stakeholders to discuss approaches to sustainability improvements development and implementation, and contributing to the resolution of disputes among stakeholders

using software systems for recording and filing documentation for measurement of current usage and using word processing and other basic software for interpreting charts, flowcharts, graphs and other visual data and information

reviewing and improving policies by identifying improvements and benchmarking against industry best practice and attempting new approaches continuously over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which preparation of a business case for introducing or improving sustainability in an ICT project may be carried out

access to relevant legislation, standards, guidelines, reports and equipment specifications and drawings

access to a range of workplace documentation and personnel, information and resources, such as compliance obligations, organisational plans, work responsibilities.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on the job performance by the candidate

review of policy developed and procedural documentation outlining the approach taken

review of implementation strategy, plans and work plans

analysis of methods used to involve stakeholders in policy development, implementation and review

evaluation of participation in sustainability work practices and programs

observation over time in relation to review of work area relating to policy and procedures being developed to assess measurement of resources used, hazards and compliance.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTPMG6033A Develop project management plan

ICTPMG6034A Prepare a detailed design brief

ICTTEN6206A Produce an ICT network architecture design

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical skills to compare and evaluate effective technical solutions involving introduction or improvement of sustainability

research and writing skills to research and present information, and to prepare written business cases requiring precise expression, language and structures suited to the intended audience

communication skills to:

prepare a press release regarding the level of achievement of sustainability benchmarks, environmental targets and performance highlights

liaise with customers to outline the resulting sustainability benefits

adjust communication to suit different audiences

respond effectively to diversity

work as a member of a team

consult on and validate policy

literacy skills to:

prepare a business case

evaluate complex and formal documents, such as government policy and legislation

interpret technical specifications and related sustainability documentation

document technical requirements and procedures

numeracy skills to:

determine workforce requirements

analyse and confirm capacity requirements

calculate budget requirements and limitations

perform calculations related to life cycle assessment (LCA)

organisational skills to arrange relevant documentation and approvals

planning and organisational skills to:

set out project requirements and priorities

problem solving skills to account for unexpected variations to requirements, and to effectively manage different points of view and dissenting stakeholders

research skills to gain and maintain relevant and current technical product knowledge

technical skills to utilise sustainability software tools

project management skills to undertake or manage a complex project

Required knowledge

best practice approaches relevant to sustainability

environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to industry and organisation

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles and occupational health and safety (OHS) implications of policy being developed

policy development processes and practices

principles, practices and available tools and techniques of sustainability management relevant to the ICT industry

quality assurance systems relevant to own organisation

relevant industry competency

relevant organisational polices, procedures and protocols

relevant systems and procedures to aid in the achievement of workplace sustainability

ICT power consumption calculations

energy consumption and energy audit methodology

environmental impacts of products, processes, systems and services

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Appropriate sources of information may include:

International standards for environmental management - Life cycle assessment

AS/NZS ISO 14040:1998

AS/NZS ISO 14041:1999

AS/NZS ISO 14042:2001

AS/NZS ISO 14043:2001

AS/NZS ISO 14048:2003

AS/NZS 3598:2000

BS EN 16001:2009

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Life Cycle Assessment: Principles and Practice EPA/600/R-06/060 May 2006

Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

Expected goals may include:

achieving best practice in products, processes or services while protecting the environment without sacrificing profitability

enhancing company reputation

guiding new product development to reduction of resources and emissions

improving public perception

providing information on trade-offs of alternative processes, products and materials.

Stakeholders may include:

business partners

community

customers

government organisations

shareholders

staff

technical experts.

Constraints may include:

existing business partnerships and arrangements

existing contracts or service level agreements

reluctance to accept change.

Critical success factors may include:

customer satisfaction

increase in customers

new sources of business

positive cash flow

profit margin

quality of products and services

revenue growth.

Overall benefit may include:

better use of workspace

employee satisfaction

enhanced brand value

enhanced company reputation

improved public perception

more reliable service to customers

tangible benefits and intangible benefits.

Estimate of costs may include:

annual operating costs

capital costs

detailed breakdown of costs

recurring costs

summary of costs by category.

Return on investment (RoI) may include

carbon trading

project life

rate of depreciation

simple RoI calculation.

Alternative options may include:

a range of approaches

an option that achieves same result as preferred option

collaborative delivery

in-house delivery of the project

innovative approaches.

Executive summary may include:

background to the proposal

introduction to the proposal

past and current environment

rationale for establishing the business case at this time.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Evaluate the proposed ICT project to determine the scope and potential of sustainability integration 
Research appropriate sources of information relevant to the project to prepare the business case 
Analyse and evaluate the expectedgoals of the project and relate the business case to broader organisational goals 
Identify and consult with stakeholders to plan and validate options 
Identify and report on any assumptions and known constraints that can impact on the project 
Evaluate the critical success factors to determine the vital strategy for the project to successfully implement sustainability and gain competitive advantage 
Prepare a cost-benefit analysis and estimate overall benefit obtained by introducing or improving sustainability in the project 
Prepare an estimate of costs over an appropriate time period and determine the potential the return on investment (RoI) 
Evaluate and analyse alternative options to determine the benefits, disadvantages, costs and risks 
Validate the options with stakeholders and determine the recommended option 
Prepare an implementation plan for the recommended option for the ICT project 
Produce an executive summary of the proposal including the consequences of not implementing the sustainability activity 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTSUS6234A - Establish a business case for sustainability and competitive advantage in ICT projects
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