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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Scope the project for establishing a business case for integrating sustainability in IT project
  2. Plan and conduct the business case for a sustainable IT project
  3. Devise management strategies for integrating sustainability into an IT project

Required Skills

Required skills

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

communication skills to

adjust communication to suit different audiences

consult on and validate policy

liaise with stakeholders to outline the resulting sustainability benefits

respond effectively to diversity

work as a member of a team

literacy skills to

prepare reports and an executive summary regarding the level of achievement of sustainability benchmarks environmental targets and performance highlights

document technical requirements and procedures

evaluate complex and formal documents such as government policy and legislation

interpret technical specifications and related sustainability documentation

prepare a business case

numeracy skills to

analyse and confirm business requirements

calculate budget requirements and limitations

determine workforce requirements

perform calculations related to life cycle assessment LCA and carbon dioxide CO emissions

organisational skills to

arrange relevant documentation and approvals

set out project requirements and priorities

problemsolving skills to

account for unexpected variations to requirements

manage different points of view and dissenting stakeholders

projectmanagement skills to undertake or manage a complex project

research and writing skills to

prepare written business cases requiring precise expression language and structures suited to intended audience

research and present information

gain and maintain relevant and current technology driving sustainability

technical skills to use sustainability software tools

Required knowledge

best practice approaches relevant to sustainability

energy consumption and energy audit methodology

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

environmental impacts of products processes systems and services

equal employment opportunity equity and diversity principles and OHS implications of policy being developed

global and national initiatives legislation policies and guidelines

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 knowledge

relevant organisational policies procedures and protocols to assist in achieving workplace sustainability

sustainability assessment tools

sustainable management principles and strategies

software tools for IT power consumption and CO emissions calculations

Evidence Required

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 ability to

establish a business case to introduce or improve sustainability in an IT project

produce a costbenefit analysis showing overall benefit of integrating sustainability into an IT project

devise implement and review management strategies showing a measurable improvement using the chosen benchmark indicators

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment for people with special needs

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

relevant legislation standards guidelines reports and equipment specifications and drawings

range of workplace documentation and personnel information and resources such as compliance obligations organisational plans and 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

review of policy developed by candidate and procedural documentation outlining the approach taken

review of implementation strategy plans and work plans prepared by candidate

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

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 where appropriate

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

Indigenous people and other people from a nonEnglish speaking background may need additional support

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge


Range Statement

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.

IT project may include:

content delivery or distribution network

data storage networks

equipment upgrades

introduction of new technology

media networking

new data centre

new IP network

security network

server network

software upgrade

unified communication.

Expected goals may include:

achieving best practice while protecting the environment without sacrificing profitability

better return on investment

improving public perception of company image

meeting sustainability targets

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

reducing resources and emissions.

Appropriate sources of information may include:

AS/NZS 3598:2000

BS EN 16001:2009

Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI)

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

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

Stakeholders may include:

business partners

community

customers

government organisations

industry associations

investors

shareholders

staff

technical experts.

Critical success factors may include:

better customer satisfaction

improved profit margin

improved quality of products and services

improved revenue growth

increase in customer numbers

increase in new sources of business

positive cash flow.

Estimate of costs may include:

annual operating costs

capital costs

detailed breakdown of costs

recurring costs

summary of costs by category.

Return on investment may include:

carbon trading

project life

rate of depreciation

simple return on investment calculation.

Overall benefit may include:

improved:

employee satisfaction

operational expenditure

use of workspace

organisation performance and efficiency

public perception of company

more reliable service to customers

carbon tax trade-offs.

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.

Sustainable management principles may include:

audit waste-management procedures

improving the energy efficiency of IT network equipment:

reducing the need for air conditioning

shutting down equipment during low demand

procurement strategies:

assessing suppliers’ environmental policies and procedures

lowering energy consumption or environmental impact of replacement products or services

managing the environmental impacts of electrical and electronic equipment

using energy consumption and environmental impact as criteria in the process of awarding contracts

supply chain:

driving ethical values through the supply chain

engaging supplier involvement in emissions reporting and continual improvement

engaging suppliers who provide information on energy consumption and product lifecycles

influencing suppliers to provide energy efficient products and services.

Key performance indicators may include:

kg CO2 emissions from company car fleet

kg CO2 emitted per floor area occupied in permanent buildings

percentage of timber from well-managed, sustainable sources used in construction

percentage volume of material from sustainable sources

reduction of quantity (in 1000’s kg) of ozone depleting gases used in air-conditioning equipment.

Benchmarks may include:

AccountAbility AA1000 Assurance Standard (2008)

BSI BenchMark

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

DJSI

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines (telecommunications sector supplement).

Detailed report may include:

calculated estimated CO2 emissions for nominated project

calculated potential energy savings and payback periods for recommended actions

innovative approaches

recommendations in order of priority on range of activities with sustainable outcomes.