Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

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 cost-benefit 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 non-English speaking background may need additional support.
In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.