1. SPI Green Firm Certification Program: Is Your Firm Ready? Barbra Batshalom, Executive Director

2. Agenda 1. Purpose of program 2. OVERVIEW: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: What’s not working and why? 3. WHERE THE COMMUNITY REALLY IS: Industry Survey Results 4. DEFINING THE PATH TO EXCELLENCE: Framework, Strategies, Metrics 5. DISCUSSION: Questions & Answers

3. ARE WE “THERE” YET? With all the progress we’ve made to ‘green’ our built environment, we have a long way to go. We face crises of climate change, public health, habitat devastation and economic implosion – so the question remains: What will it take to get “there” – to be on a path towards sustainability?

4. “END OF PIPE” SOLUTIONS AREN’T ENOUGH Building codes and rating systems are “end of pipe” solutions. They help us determine a target and allow us to measure what we’ve done. That’s important, but not enough. USGBC and LEED have dragged us (kicking & screaming) to a place where we finally base our work on performance, using metrics and accountability – but that has not been enough to go ‘up the pipe’ and transform professional practice.

5. WE NEED TO ADDRESS “THE ROOT” OF THE PROBLEM The “root of the problem” is that we are still trying to use the same processes, behavior and mindset to deliver a new product. Green building, LEED, net zero – whatever the project’s goal is – we can’t succeed without addressing our way of doing business. We need to reset our perceptions, expectations and increase collaboration to succeed. Design and construction companies who have done this have realized success and delivered performance!

6. THE CLASSIC CHALLENGE We are a “left brain” community struggling to address “right brain” problems! As engineers, architects and builders, we are generally logical, rational and analytical. The “left brain” is where we thrive, solving problems, delivering solutions. We’re less comfortable dealing with “right brain” functions needed to implement sustainability initiatives: holistic synthesizing, subjective judgments, emotions and creativity. So we need a logical, methodological and rational approach to these issues. The SPI green firm program has done that - and provided a framework to translate behavior and culture to metrics and performance criteria.

7. HOW GREEN IS YOUR FIRM? …INDUSTRY SURVEY RESULTS Before we share our framework and metrics, we’d like to share some context… Our framework has evolved from over 10 years of working in the industry and seeing the challenges companies face. This industry-wide survey we conducted illustrates why our program is needed and what we need to change to succeed . Following are some summary excerpts of the survey. Complete information and statistics can be found at the links below: Links to blog with survey details: Part 1: http://bit.ly/cuIrMa Part 2: http://bit.ly/dhwZvc

8. INDUSTRY SURVEY PARTICIPANTS DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES Of the hundreds who participated in the survey, there was an even distribution between executive and senior company leaders and company or project managers. Firms varied in size from 10 employees to 45,000 (with the majority being in the mid to large size companies)

9. LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY Commitment to sustainability is in public mission statement, website, marketing materials? Although public statements are consistently focused on commitment to sustainability, leadership does not consistently communicate that expectation to staff. Goals are not usually SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, time-bound) and there is often a lack of clear accountability structure for sustainability. Leaders at all levels make clear to staff that sustainability is part of the job? “SMART” goals are consistently set for projects & organization?

10. PROJECT DELIVERY Project management is rooted in an integrative, collaborative process? Clear performance targets not yet being set for every project (regardless of whether its pursuing LEED, BREEAM, etc. or not). Integrative design not yet consistently used as the foundation for managing projects. Inconsistent application of life-cycle costing to evaluate key systems decisions. Every project manager incorporates life cycle costing into projects? All project achieve clear performance goals?

11. INFRASTRUCTURE & SUPPORT Green design and spec standards are maintained & used consistently? Green specifications not always maintained or used consistently. Lack of clear roles and accountability for implementation of sustainability. Critical tools and resources not always available and not used consistently on projects. Performance reviews don’t evaluate sustainable design capability for key roles. HR supports green practice: performance reviews, prof dev, etc Clear roles are defined & accountable to support sustainability?

12. PARTNERING & COLLABORATION All contracts, scopes & fees create conditions conducive for success? Contracts and team structures often create a barriers for integrative project delivery. Teams rarely map their decision making process to achieve key performance targets. Very little proactive team building happens among partners, between project commitments. Roles, responsibilities, and decision making processes mapped clearly on every project? Consistent teambuilding with partners?

13. METRICS – OUTCOMES - PERFORMANCE Company has a program & strategies to reduce its environmental impact over time Although 25% of these companies are not tracking anything, more than 40% have put some sort of program in place to reduce environmental footprint. Over 30% are beginning to track the performance of their portfolio of work! Company tracks (in any way) performance of its portfolio Not tracking anything – either operations or portfolio!

15. LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY STRUCTURE

16. LACK OF CONSISTENCY

17. LACK OF INTEGRATIVE PROCESS

18. LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL

19. LACK OF TOOLS & RESOURCES

20. LACK OF SHARED LEARNINGS

21. DEPENDENCE ON LEED AS A CRUTCHHUMAN NATURE DOESN’T HELP…. (DON’T WE JUST LOVE NEW THINGS?)

22. THE JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCEDEFINING THE PATH This way to excellence in sustainable design! ? So now the question is…where are you on the path to design excellence? If you have organizational “gaps” to close…what path will you take? Our roadmap can help you.

23. THE ORIGINS OF SPI GREEN FIRM CERTIFICATION SPI EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OWNERS HELPING TO CRAFT RFPs DESIGN TEAM SELECTION PROCESS FACILITATION PEER REVIEW STRATEGY A/E/C TRAINING CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT COACHING TOOLS & RESOURCES GREEN FIRM BOOT CAMP TRIBUTARIES LEADING TO CREATION OF SPI CERTIFICATION …Building on 12 years of work with A/E/C and Owners

25. RESOURCES

26. TRAINING

27. ORGANIZATOINAL CERTIFICATION SPI CERTIFICATION EVALUATES AND RECOGNIZES ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY TO DELIVER CONSISTENT, HIGH QUALITY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN SERVICES …ACROSS ALL ASPECTS OF THE COMPANY AND AT ALL LEVELS BEING CERTIFIED TELLS PROPERTY OWNERS THAT YOU ARE RELIABLE AND CAPABLE Program Partners Include:

28. THE JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCEWhere are you? CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT RELIABLE CAPABILITY CERTIFIABLE “EN ROUTE!” ON YOUR WAY JUST STARTING OUT Companies are at different places on their journey to achieving excellence in sustainability practice. No matter where you are – SPI supports you – or recognizes your achievements!

29. SPI Certification Framework LEADERSHIP STRATEGY & POLICY PROJECT DELIVERY TRULY GREEN FIRM = PARTNERING PROCESSES SUPPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE OUTCOMES & METRICS

31. Solutions

33. LEADERSHIP SOLUTIONS Articulate clear goals Make expectations and priorities clear Shift culture to align with goals Implementation / strategic plan Mandate sustainability on all projects METRICS Public materials Internal communications SURVEYS !!! Accountability structure ISSUES Talk doesn’t match actions Lack of SMART goals Staff don’t feel empowered

34. EVIDENCE of CONSISTENT application of sustainable design principles as a basis of design excellence – and ‘institutionalization’ of sustainability approach Integrative design & project delivery is the basis for project management, on all projects Clear performance goals, decision roadmaps and use of analysis to inform decisions applied to all projects. Clear decision-making mapped out to address key performance targets Drawings, specifications and models consistently incorporate green design standards. PROJECTS

35. PROJECTS SOLUTIONS Clear project goals IDP as a foundation for proj. mngmt. Workplans Life cycle costing and other analysis ISSUES No clear goals Only ‘on demand’ Specs/dwgs not consistent Low performance METRICS Meeting notes / agendas Workplans Analysis Drawings & Specs Bldg. Certifications Performance tracking

36. PARTNERING CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS are highly collaborative Creating “TEAMS” – project based and ongoing proactive team building Intentionally creating conditions conducive to success: contracts, scope, deliverables, expectations Enabling IPD and use of key tools, like BIM, amongst a team

37. PARTNERING METRICS Scope/fee charrette Contracts Minutes, agendas, workplans SURVEYS – internal, external SOLUTIONS Proactive team building Project structure and plan Process Mapping ISSUES Barriers to IPD Lack of intentional TRUST building No collaboration plan

38. INFRASTRUCTURE Tools and Resources (green products, analysis, etc) Design/spec standards (institutionalized) Professional Development through many methods (team learning, project based coaching, lecture, etc) HR: Handbook, performance reviews, job descriptions, incentives (non financial) Investment – ongoing – in projects, R&D, etc.

39. INFRASTRUCTURE METRICS Survey to all staff Handbook, office manual New employee orientations Job Descriptions Performance reviews Templates for agendas, workplans, Tools & resources Professional Development plan ISSUES Lack of critical tools Lack of internal standards Lack of effective prof. dev. plans HR doesn’t support sustainability goals SOLUTIONS Clarify perf. expectations Build critical tools Tie prof dev to institutional performance goals Institute clarity in job descriptions, perf reviews Intentional learning and feedback

40. OUTCOMES Track metrics and feedback loops for two scales of your business: • Portfolio-wide performance of projects over time • Environmental footprint of your corporation

41. OUTCOMES SOLUTIONS Request & track performance data Start baseline and prioritize strategies to reduce footprint METRICS LEED – especially EBOM – Estar, etc Standard letter / communication institutionalized Client Surveys Environmental Footprint baseline begun, executed and priorities identified. ISSUES No feedback loops! No baseline or plan to reduce footprint

42. RECOGNITION & TRANSFORMATION Observations of best practices from SPI companies

44. Institutionalization of standard practices/processes (IPD)

45. Partnering: Proactive relationship building using BIM workshops

46. Investment in green on projects from overhead, even when clients don’t ask for it

47. Change in workflow – moving integration function to earlier in the project – lowering costs, reducing risk

48. Project performance improves !

50. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opps, threats)

51. What’s your baseline – how green are you now?

52. What are your biggest challenges as a business?

55. Create early successes that you can measure

58. Assign people to be responsible for implementation

59. Indicators & Metricsneed to be tracked

60. Reporting should occur regularly

61. Put a timeline on achieving your goals

63. SPI Certification Process Dec 10 Lock in Price 1. Register on our website www.greenroundtable.org/certification or email tova@greenroundtable.org 2. Intake information: company profile and context 3. Assessment and then one of two paths to certification: 3a. AUDIT ! (If sustainability is truly institutionalized) 3b. GAP identification (if you have “gaps” to close) We can provide support to address gaps in policy, strategy consulting, education & training, coaching 4. Certification 5. Annual, brief, Check-In 6. Every 3 years, re-certification

64. Owner and Company Endorsements “Knowing a firm is certified tells me they have the leadership & systems in place to back them up. It sets them apart, makes them a leader” Lawrence Healey, Dir. Real Estate Blue Cross/Blue Shield

65. Owner Endorsements Lawrence Healey Director of Real Estate, Design and Planning, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Douglas W. Noonan, PE Head of Group Corporate Real Estate Adidas Group CORENET Global, New England Chapter John Ziegler, AIA Director - Off-Campus Development Princeton University SPI Certification is a great tool for owners!

66. Lawrence Healey Director of Real Estate, Design and Planning, Blue Cross/Blue Shield We will use this as a factor in selecting service provider firms. It makes more of a statement than just knowing that a firm has completed some LEED projects or had LEED trained staff… Knowing the firm is certified tells me they has leadership and systems in place to back them up. If a firm is willing to go through the audit, it tells me something useful about them, that they really take sustainable seriously.It’s something that sets them apart, it makes them a leader.

67. Douglas W. Noonan, PE Head of Group Corporate Real Estate Adidas Group & CORENET Global, NE Chapter SPI certification will absolutely be a factor in my selecting an architect, engineer and contractor. You’re covering something that needs to be covered, moving beyond individual LEED and project LEED. Every service provider that comes to us tells us they’re experts in sustainable design and construction. In truth, there’s no way for them to back that claim up (until now). If the firm has been certified, then I can be comfortable that sustainability is something organic to the way they operate, not something they’ve just added on.

68. John Ziegler, AIA Director - Off-Campus Development, Princeton University The certification puts some real teeth in sustainable design. Showing that sustainable design is really integrated into a firm’s culture over time means much more to me than knowing that the firm has built some LEED buildings or has some LEED accredited staff. It’s also significant to me that your certification process tracks firms over time. Firms getting their buildings LEED certified doesn’t tell me much, it’s just a comment on a point in time. Your certification process is helpful to us because it tracks firms over time.

69. Its in our hands

70. FOLLOW UP READING Truth about green firms, “prequel”: http://bit.ly/greentruth Links to blog with survey details Part 1: http://bit.ly/cuIrMa Part 2: http://bit.ly/dhwZvc “The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building: Redefining the Practice of Sustainability” by 7group, Bill Reed “Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide”, AIA Nat’l, AIA CA “Roadmap for the Integrated Design Process”, Stantec ANSI standard for IPD – Whole Systems Integrative Process

72. THANK YOU 617-374-3740 www.greenroundtable.org info@greenroundtable.org