MSS015019A - Establish metrics for social sustainability

MSS015019A
Establish metrics for social sustainability

This unit of competency covers determining what aspects of social sustainability are to be measured and how to quantify them; then implementing and improving the metrics system. This unit covers quantifying the social aspects of sustainability which are typically hard to measure by converting them to numerical data using indicators and estimations in order to monitor changes.

Application

This unit applies to team leaders/supervisors/managers that are developing systems to support the organisation’s social sustainability, including the development and implementation of policy.

This unit applies where qualitative data is to be collected and converted into quantitative data in order to monitor the effectiveness of social sustainability activities. Qualitative data is converted to quantitative data using simple proxies, indicators or estimations.

The person establishing the system is not required to undertake complex calculations or statistical analysis. However, where these form part of the metrics system they will be allocated to appropriate personnel and/or suitable software solutions used as part of implementing the system.

This unit assumes that a range of social sustainability interactions have already been identified within the organisation and their identification does not form part of this unit. If these interactions have not been identified the skills for identifying social (and other) sustainability interactions and making recommendations to address them are covered in other units, including:

MSS017001A Analyse and determine organisational risk areas in sustainability

MSS017003A Identify and respond to external sustainability factors for an organisation

MSS017004A Lead sustainable strategy deployment

MSS017006A Identify and improve sustainability interactions with the community.

This unit applies to organisations in all sectors of the manufacturing industry and the associated value chains. It may also be applied to all sections of an organisation including, for example, the office, warehouse, transport, logistics and factory.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1	Define the scope of metrics for social sustainability	1.1	Identify the organisation’s values, strategies and goals in social sustainability to define the purpose of monitoring social sustainability issues
		1.2	Consult with stakeholders to identify the social sustainability issues, impacts or sensitivities to be monitored
		1.3	Consult with stakeholders to identify the social sustainability goals to be quantified
		1.4	Identify relevant legislative/regulatory requirements
		1.5	Determine reporting requirements

2	Identify and evaluate options for quantifying the priority aspects of social sustainability	2.1	Source statistical assistance/advice if required
		2.2	Identify how existing approaches to quantifying social sustainability can be applied/adapted to be relevant to the goals
		2.3	Determine options for quantitative proxies and/or indicators relevant to the goals
		2.4	Evaluate options against the purpose and goals and select appropriate metrics
		2.5	Identify the benefits and limitations of the selected proxies and/or indicators for the goals and purpose
		2.6	Ensure adequate resources are available to implement the system

3	Implement the metrics system	3.1	Establish methods for data collection and analysis to fit the selected metrics
		3.2	Set parameters for implementing the selected metrics
		3.3	Provide tools and procedures for data collection and documentation
		3.4	Allocate tasks and responsibilities for data collection and analysis
		3.5	Identify the need for competency development to implement the system and take appropriate action

4	Review social sustainability data	4.1	Collate baseline and follow up data
		4.2	Review the data against the purpose and goals
		4.3	Identify the implications for social sustainability activities taking into account the limitations of the metrics used

5	Apply continuous improvement to the metrics system	5.1	Review the effectiveness of the metrics system in relation to the purpose and goals
		5.2	Identify current industry practices in metrics for social sustainability
		5.3	Engage stakeholders in providing feedback on the metrics system and identifying improvements
		5.4	Evaluate opportunities for improving the metrics system and recommend improvements

6	Communicate to support the metrics system	6.1	Identify stakeholders and their information needs
		6.2	Provide information targeted to stakeholder needs to support the development and implementation of the metrics system
		6.3	Record and report on the implications for social sustainability and the limitations of the metrics used

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

using proxies/indicators and estimations to represent qualitative data as quantitative data

interpreting data based on proxies/indicators or estimations to identify trends and issues

collating and reviewing data to identify social sustainability implications

analysing reports and other information for social sustainability implications

communicating with diverse stakeholders

presenting information on complex concepts to diverse stakeholders

researching and interpreting legislative and regulatory requirements

selecting and implementing data collection methods

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

social sustainability issues, such as:

human rights/exploitation in the supply chain

purchasing/procurement decisions that may affect communities’ employment, food supply, heritage, and access to services in the supply chain

community concerns and perceptions

community engagement

organisational reputation

diversity in the workplace

equity, participation and staff engagement

performance management

bullying, discrimination and harassment

access to skills and development

work conditions

programs that target local recruitment

the impact of environmental issues on people’s health and lifestyle

legislative/regulatory requirements that have social sustainability implications, such as:

Competition and Consumer Act 2010

Commonwealth and state/territory anti-discrimination legislation

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999

state/territory and local government planning legislation

industrial relations legislation and awards

voluntary codes and standards that have social sustainability implications, such as:

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on social responsibility

industry codes, principles and covenants

current industry practices, approaches, metrics and indicators that relate to social sustainability, such as social return on investment, social license to operate, corporate social responsibility, human capital and shared value

methods of quantification and quantitative estimating

the limitations of using proxies/indicators and estimations to quantify social sustainability

methods and tools for collecting social sustainability data, such as:

internet or other sources of existing data

surveys

focus groups or interviews

expert panels (real or nominal)

estimating and quantification

continuous improvement logs

complaints registers

methods for tracking opinions, perceptions and other subjective information (qualitative data):

amount of positive/negative media coverage

number and outcomes of community interactions

number and type of complaints and resolutions

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	A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to develop, implement and improve metrics systems that are relevant to social sustainability issues.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include: establishing processes for quantifying social sustainability to meet organisational goals consulting with and providing information to stakeholders to facilitate development and implementation of the metrics system collecting and interpreting quantitative data on social sustainability applying continuous improvement processes.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace. This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Method of assessment	In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.

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. 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.

Purpose for monitoring social sustainability	Purpose for monitoring social responsibility refers to the organisation’s reason or aim for monitoring social sustainability which might relate to stated or implicit organisational values, strategies or goals. The purpose might be: supporting core values enacting the organisation’s social purpose implementing social sustainability strategy being a good corporate citizen supporting policies, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) or environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) improving the organisation’s reputation, handling of complaints and worker retention supply chain or tender requirements applying voluntary standards or codes, e.g. GRI reporting and ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on social responsibility
Social sustainability goals	Social sustainability goals relate to the activities and programs being implemented and define what will be quantified and monitored in the metrics system. They may already be stated or may need to be defined in establishing the metrics system.
Benefits and limitations of metrics	Benefits and limitations of metrics may include: the relevance and accuracy of data collection methods, indicators and estimations used
Resources	Resources may include: organisational and individual capacity individual skills budget access to people and information
Parameters	Parameters help to define the implementation of the metrics and may include: frequency of data collection and reports locations volume of data to be collected sampling methods tools and documentation to be used

Sectors


Unit sector	Sustainability

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

No occupational licensing requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.