Abstract
The quantification of Green ICT in the banking sector has been approached in various research papers with a distinct quantifiable measures developed. The rapid quantification of these collective measures in order to achieve a comprehensive ICT assessment is a challenge. There is a concern that sustainability is not given adequate and balanced attention on a broader scale that covers its economic, social, environmental and technical pillars when conducting green ICT assessments.
The objective of this research is to propose a consolidated, accelerated evaluation methodology with a current case study. The evaluation criterion together with base variables, calculations and methods are extracted from various best practice literature. This system is tested via deployment within the banking sector in South Africa. The results of this test deployment can be used to select the best and cost effective transformation path for the organisation. The study uses a company case study that is measured against global green ICT benchmarks to substantiate the argument. The results of the assessment provide expedient information for decision making in order to prioritise actions to optimise data centres according to global green ICT sustainability best practices that help to reduce data centre cost.
The study uses suitable green ICT evaluation indicators gathered from diverse sources to measure the green ICT performance of the organisation case study against benchmarks. The variances between the benchmarks and the case study evaluation indicators provide input to decisions around the best and most cost effective plans to drive the green ICT agenda and improve the data centre green performance. The rapid assessment framework looks at people, processes and technology to assess green ICT in a holistic way that considers diverse factors. This is a different green ICT evaluation paradigm that brings value to the organisation by embedding green ICT from a strategic perspective that includes setting targets and mechanisms that help with improving green ICT posture.
M.Ing.(Engineering Management)