2 ‐ Four Methods to Gather Baselines
The following four options can be used to inventory baseline information and eventually
the performance of your priority initiatives against targets at year end. Options one and
two require less resources and time. Option three and four are more complex and will
require more time and resources; however, they will provide more detailed information
that will support more thorough reporting at the end of the first year. Tracking progress
and reporting should be straightforward. Find a balance between reporting and
implementation and ensure they complement each other. Not all of these methods will
work for all initiatives and your organization may want to use a combination of
methods. Measures for success and a self‐assessment survey template are also
included.
Option 1 ‐ Current Program and Infrastructure Assessment
This exercise involves asking select staff members to provide a simple assessment of
what infrastructure is in place in your organization to support green initiatives and to
find out if staff members have received related training.
For example, try and assess the number of recycling bins, video teleconferencing
devices or other things your department already has available that support your
green business initiatives. Also, determine how many people have been trained to
use these devices.
This option does not involve measuring the amount of waste being diverted or how
much energy is being saved, for example. It is only an assessment of infrastructure
and training.
Option 2 ‐ Visual Inspection
This exercise requires a few volunteers to complete a visual inspection of your
business to assess current green business practices.
Option 2 is meant to assess the results of setting up infrastructure and providing
training for green initiatives.
For example, this option could involve inspecting garbage bins to see how much
recyclable material they contain or inspecting offices to see how many lights are
turned off at the end of the week.
This option provides an estimation of baselines or implementation progress, rather
than absolute data.
Option 3 ‐ Self‐Assessment Surveys
This option allows staff to self‐declare their level of participation in green initiatives.
See a survey template is included in Worksheet 2B.
This option can be used in combination with other methods of measuring
performance.