Attributes | -- Beginning -- EMS Under Development | -- Deploying -- EMS Registered/In Conformance | -- Maturing -- EMS as a Business Practice |
Timeline | 0-2 years | 2-5 Years | 5+ Years |
| Goals | Develop an EMS but avoid large changes in the way things are done
Registration/conformance | Strengthen linkages within the EMS Demonstrate (cost) benefit of EMS | Define and meet stakeholder needs Achieve/maintain high level of environmental performance, but demonstrate value |
| Activities | Developing new systems or re-tooling established compliance programs Trying to fully understand ISO 14001 requirements; trying to fully grasp the systems approach Learning how to communicate the EMS to the public; training employees Determining, "What do we really want to disclose to the public?" | Continuing alignment and integration with existing management systems:
Developing metrics for EMS/tracking systems Moving away from an EMS Rep-dependent EMS | Improving efficiency through process improvement is a primary activity
Inclusion of environmental data in the strategic planning process and in daily business decisions Tracking of nonconformances with emphasis on prevention. Corrective/preventive action process is well established. |
| Characteristics | It's a one-person EMS Minimal investment Energy/resource intensive Management provides resources but involvement is minimal Objectives and targets set without much management/input Using available or very simple metrics to measure EMS | Corrective (and particularly preventive) action processes weak Documentation boom EMS is still under development/ being refined Focus is still on the present, not the future EMS as part of the business process still largely superficial Cultural change starting | Objectives/targets are stretch goals High level of management involvement EMS serves as a launch pad for new environmental initiatives Environmental metrics are well established and support business goals Linkages within the EMS and with other management systems are well established Employees held accountable for environmental performance through appraisal process |
| Vulnerabilities | EMS linkages are often untested or not recognized | Objectives/targets often modest/limiting | Increased investment without obvious, immediate payback |