Step 3.1 Ensure proper resources are allocated

Following completion of Step 2 (Plan for Energy Management), you should now be ready to implement the energy management activities you have been planning for. At this point, you should have thoroughly developed action plans for at least one prioritized energy performance improvement opportunity. Keep in mind though, planning is never truly considered “complete” —a truly mature and continuously improving energy management program will continue to collect and analyze data, which helps to identify and prioritize new energy improvement opportunities. In Step 3 (Implement Energy Management), the “people-factor” is the key to successful implementation. If the right people with the right resources aren’t involved, your energy management program runs the risk of failing. And if people within your organization aren’t aware of opportunities and motivated to act, your energy management program runs the risk of failing. This step begins with ensuring the appropriate resources are allocated.

Advancing from Foundational Level 1 to ISO 50001 Level 2 for Step 3.1

You must ensure the resources for action plan implementation are identified and allocated for ISO 50001 (Level 2) and foundational energy management (Level 1). The resources need to be clearly identified, communicated, and understood by top management. Once approved by top management, there must be follow-through to ensure that those resources actually are made available.

The additional task associated with implementing ISO 50001 is a sanity check on the resources required for the implementation effort. This is a process of stepping back and considering whether new or additional resources are needed to continue the ISO 50001 implementation. Any change in resource needs is communicated to top management for their review and approval.

Advance to Next Level

How to do it

There is one associated task you will need to complete:

3.1.1 Communicate and allocate resources needed for action plans

3.1.1 Communicate and allocate resources needed for action plans

Among the key outputs from Step 2 are the action plan(s) you developed in Step 2.11. To increase the likelihood of success, you should ensure that the people affected by your action plans are aware of the projects to be implemented. To ensure that the improvements are sustained, you should also ensure that other departments and personnel are aware of any needed changes to their operations that are required by the action plan(s). Communications and connections to these other organizational units should be included in the action plan implementation.

In addition, staff should have the time, knowledge, skills and authority to perform the tasks they have been assigned. You should make sure that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and agreed upon for everyone who will be involved in implementing the action plan—including due dates and actions. Have each person review and update any other resources that are necessary for the action plan. Ensure there is a mechanism for the team to ask questions and receive any information needs. There should also be a plan to communicate the results achieved by the team at key milestones.

Resources & Examples

EPA ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management: Contains a step-by-step road map for continuous improvement, based on best practices as compiled by the EPA ENERGY STAR Program. Refer to Step 4.2 of the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for guidance specific to eGuide Step 3.1.
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) for Industry Tool: NEEA’s CEI system provides a methodology and tools that support achieving energy management goals and objectives through progressive steps.
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy MAP: SEAI’s Energy MAP tool provides a step-by-step guide to creating a best practice action plan for energy management. Refer to Step 12 of the SEAI Energy MAP for helpful guidance specific to eGuide Step 3.1.

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