Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish a business case to justify innovative implementation of sustainability in information and communications technology (ICT) planning and design projects, including accessing industry information and applying legislative guidelines.
It applies to individuals who may be working in a role as a project manager, planner and designer, consultant or contractor and who has responsibility for conducting or managing ICT projects to plan and conduct cost–benefit analysis and return on investment for the implementation of sustainable schemes at the enterprise level.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Scope project for establishing business case for integrating sustainability in ICT project | 1.1 Critically analyse proposed ICT project specifications to determine scope and extent of sustainability integration in design aspects 1.2 Critically analyse and evaluate expected goals of project and relate business case to broader organisational goals 1.3 Research appropriate sources of information relevant to project to prepare business case for validation with stakeholders |
2. Plan and conduct business case for sustainable ICT project | 2.1 Evaluate critical success factors to determine vital strategy for project to implement sustainability and gain competitive advantage 2.2 Produce estimate of costs projected over appropriate time period and determine potential for return on investment for proposed design and implementation plan 2.3 Conduct cost–benefit analysis to determine financial gain of derived overall benefit obtained by integrating sustainability into project 2.4 Produce executive summary for stakeholders on proposal, including risk analysis if sustainability component activity is not implemented |
3. Devise management strategies for integrating sustainability into ICT project | 3.1 Initiate and progress sustainable management principles that result in reduced environmental impact 3.2 Establish, regularly review and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) on sustainability performance 3.3 Incorporate innovative planning and design rules for ICT projects that foster sustainability and environmental best practice 3.4 Produce energy usage projection using estimated carbon dioxide emissions with comparable benchmarks and provide detailed report to support long-term benefits |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
establish an effective business case to introduce or improve sustainability in an information and communications technology (ICT) project
produce an accurate cost–benefit analysis showing overall benefit of integrating sustainability into an ICT project
devise, implement and review management strategies showing a measurable improvement using the chosen benchmark indicators.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
compare best practice approaches relevant to sustainability
research and contrast energy consumption and energy audit methodologies
research and critically evaluate environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to the industry and the organisation
evaluate the environmental impacts of products, processes, systems and services
interpret global and national initiatives, legislation, policies and guidelines relevant to project
research and critique the principles, practices and available tools and techniques of sustainability management relevant to the ICT industry
explain quality assurance systems relevant to own organisation
formulate the relevant organisational policies, procedures and protocols required to assist in achieving workplace sustainability
research and apply sustainability assessment tools and key performance indicators and benchmarks
describe sustainable management principles and strategies
critique the various software tools for ICT power consumption and CO2 emissions calculations.
Assessment Conditions
Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the sustainability field of work and include access to:
a range of workplace documentation
personnel associated with a relevant business
legislation, specifications and guidelines
a site on which preparation of a business case may be carried out.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Writing | 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2, 3.3 | Generates complex written reports, business cases and executive summaries, demonstrating control over a broad range of writing styles and purposes Prepare documents requiring precise expression, language and structures suited to intended audience |
Numeracy | 2.2, 2.3 | Analyses and synthesises highly embedded mathematical information for business case, budgets, workforce requirements and related sustainability benchmarks |
Navigate the world of work | 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 | Works autonomously, making high level decisions to achieve and improve organisational goals Develops and implements strategies that ensure organisational policies, procedures and regulatory requirements are being met Monitors and reviews the organisation’s policies, procedures and adherence to legislative requirements to implement and manage change |
Interact with others | 2.4 | Uses a variety of relevant communication tools and strategies in building and maintaining effective working relationships Influences and fosters a collaborative culture, facilitating a sense of commitment and workplace cohesion Understands diversity and seeks to integrate diversity into the work context for managing change, making decisions and achieving shared outcomes |
Get the work done | 1.1-1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1-3.4 | Plans strategic priorities and outcomes within a flexible, efficient and effective context in a diverse environment exposed to competing demands Identifies key factors that impact on decisions and their outcomes, drawing on experience, competing priorities and decision-making strategies where appropriate Explores and incubates new and innovative ideas through unconstrained analysis and critical thinking to develop and improve the organisation’s goals Uses digital technologies to manage business operations and actively investigates new technologies for strategic and operational purposes |
Sectors
Sustainability