The SFTool is a robust, practical and engaging resource for facility managers, purchasing agents, designers, tenants, and the general public to understand why sustainability matters and how to take practical steps to create healthier, more comfortable, high-performance workplaces. SFTool explains sustainable options and enables informed decision-making by making it easy to learn about sustainability topics, view planning strategies, explore virtual spaces, identify federal sustainability requirements, practice managing a building, read case studies and share knowledge.
Type of Material:
Simulation
Recommended Uses:
The Sustainable Facilities Tool is intended for not only facility managers, purchasing agents, designers, tenants, or those who care about efficient, healthy buildings and environmentally-responsible purchasing. The tool prepares the user to take action by providing a one-stop shop for information, activites and more under the topic headings: LEARN, PLAN, EXPLORE, PROCURE, ASSESS, & SHARE. It would be appropriate for in-class or homework, individual or small group use.
Technical Requirements:
Browser based website
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Inform professionals as well as the general public on a variety of topics related to buiding or renovating structures and grounds in ways that are sustainable and cost-effective
Provide a plethora of resources for people specifically involved in facilities management, as well as others who want to understand more about how to plan for sustainability
Assist learners in understanding related laws, regulations and practices associated with building and renovating various sized buildings for sustainability
Facilitate the application of the material with a well-designed simulation
Target Student Population:
College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Helpful to have some understanding of facilities planning, though a novice would still have much to learn from the resource
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Comprehensive set of resources available that are well-organized and easy to navigate
Resource attends to current trends, issues and laws as well as future implications, along with specific case studies and examples from around the country
Simulation allows user to experiment with various designs aligned with sustainability principles and requirements
Concerns:
The tool is of high quality.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Learner using this site will find they can easily narrow down to exactly what they need to learn whether they are beginners or advanced professionals. This tool could be used throughout the training of sustainablility professional or someone who wants to incorporate sustainability for a specific purpose.
User Guides are provided for each potential role so that the user can zero in on the exact skills and abilities required for understanding sustainability from a particular perspective. Each role is broken down into areas which essentially are the equivalent of Goals and each includes a list of objectives. The four roles and three areas included are as follows:
Facility Managers
I. Building & Grounds Management II. Space Management III. Procurement Management
Project Managers
I. Managing Project Requirements II. Meeting Project Goals III. Accounting for Project Impacts
Procurement Professionals
I. Value-Based Purchasing II. Regulation and FAR Compliance III. Purchasing Activity
Leasing Specialist
I Fulfill Environmental Criteria II. Property Management III. Community
Learners have the opportunity to manipulate actual visuals that makes this site an interactive and engaging tool that could be used for a variety of assignment types.
Concerns:
New sustainability learners might get distracted by the interesting information at the site and find themselves off task.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is very easy to navigate because each section is consistent within itself. For example, the Planning section includes Overall Strategies, Project Types & Planning for the Future and the Procure section is broken down into Products or Services, so the user can easily narrow down to exactly where they are in the planning process or what they need to buy.
Contact information is provided, the site is updated regularly and everything works as it should.
Concerns:
None
Other Issues and Comments:
This Sustainablity Tool is FREE and because it is very comprehensive and useful for a wide variety of levels and learners, it could easily be used in place of a textbook. It is clear that the materials are regularly updated, and that those responsible for maintaining the site want to information about existing resources related to sustainability, as well as specific training sessions that are available
Creative Commons:
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