Module 6: Green Building

Program Planning

Forming a Team

If an office is sufficiently staffed, it may be appropriate to assemble a team to perform the baseline measurements, consider possible improvements, and implement the options selected. Teams must bring enthusiasm and a desire to improve operations in order to effect changes throughout the organization. Other employees will take their cue from the team, so it is important that they sense positive changes are taking place, and that they want to be included.

Background

The background information may include such items as the need for a new building, how the facility may evolve over time, regulatory constraints, resource constraints and other issues that may be unique to the facility.

Records (Bills / Estimates)

Records will include utility bills, estimates of the amount of time the facility is occupied, the size of major areas requiring heating or cooling, water needs, and environmental needs for people, materials and equipment.

Audits

An audit can uncover practices or operations that may affect building design and operation and lead to ideas for improvement in these areas.

Measurements

Where records or audits cannot determine the requirements for new building use, measurements must be taken to either estimate or record potential improvements from operational or structural changes in building design and operation. Decide what elements will need to be measured and make them as simple as possible. Determine what measurements will be used to track progress and find a simple way to display them for all to view on a regular basis. Determine how often reports will be prepared, and how they will be presented.

Securing Support and Resources

In order to begin any new program the commitment in time and resources must be approved by upper management. Before you schedule a meeting with upper management, begin generating publicity about the need for a project and some possible benefits that it may produce. Present the options being considered and a plan for implementing the selected option. Secure from management the ability or permission to review additional data that may not be normally available or compiled. Highlight the potential cost savings, but be conservative. If a pilot program is necessary, outline how it will help achieve the project goals. Stress positive press, and effect on employees and community. Suggest a time frame for completing, with the understanding that it will need to be adjusted for the actual alternative selected. Ask for management help and support – Be Direct! Thank them for their time and consideration. Ask for their support, and stress that they will affect the outcome by their leadership.

Identify Opportunities

Various techniques exist for developing ideas to improve building operation and efficiency. Brainstorming and Brainwriting are two techniques that have been used successfully by P²AD staff in developing such ideas. These techniques are described more fully in the following web site http://creatingminds.org/tools/brainwriting.htm and http://creatingminds.org/tools/brainstorming.htm.

Evaluate Opportunities

Once ideas are generated, they must be evaluated thoroughly in order to properly consider them for implementation. This evaluation should consider costs, difficulty to complete, time required to complete, and benefits (both monetarily and environmentally).

Select an option to implement

Obtain input from all stakeholders and determine what projects are possible in your locality and what projects can your company manage. Are there larger local projects you can become involved in?

Is your office or facility part of a parent company with an existing program that you can become involved in? Which option will provide the greatest benefit for the initial involvement and is most likely to provide demonstrable success that will secure continued support for projects in the future?

Plan the initial program to provide visible progress to all participants and the office in general.

Set goals / Targets

Set progressive but achievable goals and keep management and employees informed and vested in achieving goals. Make sure the goals are specific and measurable.

Develop Timeline

Start with the end in mind and set realistic time periods for tracking and measuring progress. Remember to consider other office priorities when you are setting the timeline.

Create and Assign Tasks and Responsibilities

Determine the tasks required to implement the proposed option and make assignments for each task.