IS v2.1, the newest version of the Infrastructure Sustainability Design/As-Built rating tool developed by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC), is on the horizon for contractors across Australia. While many existing projects still operate under v1.2, getting your organisation ready to adapt to the requirements of v2.1 is crucial.

This article will offer an overview of the significant changes between the two versions, explain how these changes will impact your team's structure and approach to meeting them, and highlight key challenges and risks to consider.

So what's changing?

While the ISC’s website offers a comprehensive overview of v2.1, our focus here is on reviewing what these changes signify for contractors tasked with delivering IS outcomes on projects. In summary:

• There will be heightened oversight and engagement with specific project disciplines.
• Increased reliance on subject matter experts (SMEs) to fulfil discrete credit criteria.
• More frequent review of plans and processes.
• Enhanced clarity regarding credit criteria through the implementation of Must statements.
• Improved layout of the Credit Summary Form (CSF) to ensure clarity and conciseness.

Below, we delve into what these changes entail for your project team, budgeting, and internal sustainability resources.

How will this influence your project team’s structure?

Positively, our sustainability project teams have historically been geared towards meeting IS contractual outcomes, providing a solid foundation of understanding. With the transition to v2.1, we're not facing a change but rather an evolution in how we collaborate and involve our project teams to achieve these outcomes.

The challenge lies in evolving each project team member's comprehension of their IS responsibilities. Some categories, like Sustainable Procurement, have undergone significant shifts in requirements, necessitating a re-evaluation of expectations and participation. Additionally, newly introduced categories like Workforce Sustainability demand the establishment of formalised requirements among project team disciplines that may have previously been informal or non-existent.

Hence, it's crucial to conduct an internal stakeholder mapping exercise at the project's outset, linking IS criteria requirements with project disciplines. This exercise informs the sustainability team's approach in engaging with the broader project team.

Internally, within the sustainability team, the focus should be on empowering the team to effectively execute this approach. Rather than solely focusing on implementation, the team must influence and enable the project team to adapt to the new requirements.

What are the key risks & challenges?

Transitioning to v2.1 brings forth several notable considerations:

• The sustainability team for the project must be adequately resourced from the project's inception. Unlike in previous versions, there's no room for catching up or hastily assembling a submission. Requirements for document and process review, coupled with the need to fulfill specific criteria at designated project milestones, may render certain credits unattainable early on.
• Increased review and audit demands necessitate meticulous forecasting from the project's outset. Do you possess internal resources to meet these demands? If not, how will you ensure compliance?
• Moreover, the heightened need for subject matter expertise (SME) within credit criteria calls for budgetary allocation. Do you have access to the required resources, and are they available when needed?
• If internal capabilities fall short, budgeting for external support becomes imperative. Multiple reviews may be necessary for certain aspects. Although audits and reviews were prerequisites in v1.2, their scale and frequency have escalated in v2.1. Factor this into your sustainability budgeting process.

Takeaways

ISC v2.1 sets a new benchmark, influenced by the successes and evolution of the IS rating tool. This version emphasises greater involvement from a broader spectrum of our project team, leading to project outcomes that seamlessly integrate sustainability principles. Recognising and embracing this shift in our approach to delivering IS ratings is crucial for ensuring a positive experience for our projects.

Arch Artifex is uniquely equipped to assist you with your IS rating needs, boasting direct management experience with ISC v2.1 ratings in NSW and Victoria. Our team members all hail from contractor backgrounds, bringing expertise across all project phases to the table.

If you would like to discuss this further or have any questions, please get in touch by message or booking a 15 minute session through my profile header.

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