October 22nd, 2007
Creating a green IT action plan
Tapping into the green meme, Forrester analyst Christopher Mines has developed an action plan for CIOs for implementing green IT principles. According to Mines’s report ($379 US) , green mandates are funded by multiple motives–saving money (reduce energy spend, improve IT equipment utilization, benefit from tax breaks), enhancing public perception and doing the right thing (corporate social responsibility).
One key aspect of planning is establishing priorities and tradeoffs.
Mines’ action plan covers a broad range of tasks, such as qualifying suppliers based on their green initiatives; understanding potential barriers and inhibitors to green It; revising processes and metrics; favoring products manufactured with smaller carbon footprints; finding and executing quick wins; creating platforms for employee brainstorming; fostering employee buy-in; and giving organizations time to adapt.
See also: ZDNet’s green tech blogs
Dan Farber, editor-in-chief of CNET News.com, has more than 20 years of experience as an editor and journalist covering technology. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
