IMPACT9

Transform IT Organizations with Sustainable Goals, Actions, and KPIs—Designed for Impact Across Design, Processes, and Operations

Drive IT Sustainability with the IMPACT9 Framework

Design & Innovation

SUFFICIENCY

Governance & Processes

Efficiency

Operation & Infrastructure

Consistency

The IMPACT9 Framework empowers IT organizations to align with global sustainability goals, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Science Based Targets (SBTs).The IMPACT9 Framework is structured as a 3×3 grid, providing a clear and intuitive guide to addressing IT sustainability objectives effectively and holistically. By adopting this model, IT Organisations can lead the way in reducing emissions and waste, improving resource utilization, and fostering a sustainable digital landscape.

At its core, the IMPACT9 Framework aligns with the principles of Sufficiency, Efficiency, and Consistency, addressing the entire lifecycle of IT—from design to processes and operations. This comprehensive structure ensures that sustainability is not just an afterthought but an integral part of IT strategy.

The IMPACT9 Framework

IT-DESIGN
(Sufficiency)

Design Goals

Goals on Scope 1+3

Sufficiency: Avoidance of unnecessary emissions.

Design Actions

Optimize IT architecture and user centric need assessment

Design KPI

Scope 3: Number of Applications to SUR

Metric: System Utilization Rate

IT-PROCESSES
(Efficiency)

Process Goals

Goals on Scope 1+2

Efficiency: Minimize resource consumption, eliminate waste, and enhance performance.

Process Actions

Automate and develop resource- and energy-efficient processes

Process KPI

Scope 2: Number of Applications to Energy consumption

Metric: kilowatt hours (kWh) or tCO₂e

IT-OPERATIONS
(Consistency)

OPS Goals

Goals on Scope 1+3

Consistency: Use of sustainable materials and resources in direct IT operations

OPS Actions

Implement renewable energy solutions

OPS KPI

Scope 1: Renewable Energy Utilization Rate in %

Metric: renewable energy resources vs. nonrenewable resources

The primary goal of IT design through the lens of sufficiency is to create solutions that minimize waste, maximize utility, and avoid unnecessary resource consumption from the very beginning.

Sufficiency in IT design emphasizes the importance of „doing more with less“ by consciously avoiding over-specification, redundant functionalities, and resource-intensive features. This approach directly contributes to sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint of IT systems during their development and usage.

Key activities within sufficiency-driven IT design include streamlined system architectures, user-centric needs assessment, and avoidance of over-engineering. These efforts ensure that IT systems are optimized for their intended purpose without unnecessary resource overheads.

Quantifiable metrics play a pivotal role in steering sufficiency-focused designs. For example:

  • Energy Efficiency per Operation (kWh/transaction) to measure power savings.
  • Material Usage Index to track the reduction in raw material needs.
  • System Utilization Rate to gauge effective resource deployment.

By targeting measurable outcomes, sufficiency in IT design ensures that sustainability is not just an abstract goal but a clearly defined and actionable objective, fostering a greener, more efficient digital future.

The primary goal of efficiency in IT processes is to minimize resource consumption, eliminate waste, and enhance performance by streamlining workflows and optimizing resource allocation.

Efficiency in IT processes focuses on achieving maximum output with minimal input by optimizing the use of energy, time, and resources. This contributes directly to sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of IT systems while ensuring operational effectiveness and cost efficiency.

Key activities within efficiency-driven IT processes include:

  • Automation of repetitive tasks to reduce manual interventions and errors, saving time and energy.
  • Resource optimization by consolidating workloads, reducing idle times, and ensuring efficient server utilization.
  • Energy-efficient workflows to minimize the power consumption of IT operations, such as dynamic resource scaling in cloud environments.

Quantifiable metrics to measure and guide these efforts include:

  • Energy Consumption per Process (kWh/process) to track energy savings.
  • Process Automation Rate, reflecting the percentage of tasks streamlined through automation.
  • Server Utilization Efficiency, measuring the percentage of server resources effectively used.

By focusing on measurable outcomes and targeted strategies, efficiency in IT processes ensures that organizations can reduce their ecological footprint while maintaining high levels of productivity and innovation.

The main goal of IT operations through the lens of consistency is to ensure efficient use, reuse, and recycling of resources, aligning operational practices with the principles of circular economy and long-term sustainability.

Consistency in IT operations emphasizes a shift from linear consumption models toward circular practices, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, and waste is minimized through recycling and re-purposing. This approach enhances sustainability by reducing the ecological impact of IT infrastructure and extending the lifecycle of valuable materials.

Core activities within consistency-driven IT operations include:

  • Implementing end-of-life management strategies for hardware, ensuring recycling or re-purposing of obsolete equipment.
  • Adopting energy optimization practices such as green data centers and renewable energy sourcing.
  • Monitoring resource efficiency across IT assets to avoid redundancies and maximize value.

Key measurable metrics to guide these efforts include:

  • E-waste Reduction Rate, tracking the percentage of hardware diverted from landfills.
  • Renewable Energy Utilization (%), reflecting the proportion of operations powered by sustainable energy sources.
  • Lifecycle Extension Ratio, measuring the longevity of IT equipment through maintenance and upgrades.

By setting actionable goals and tracking progress with quantifiable KPIs, consistency in IT operations enables organizations to align their day-to-day practices with broader sustainability targets, fostering a resilient and eco-conscious IT environment.

IMPACT9 for the Future

Sustainability in IT has become a critical focus for organizations striving to align technological advancements with global environmental goals. 

By addressing key dimensions such as design sufficiency, process efficiency, and operational consistency, this resource provides actionable insights and frameworks to reduce environmental impact while maintaining innovation and productivity. It empowers IT leaders to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, ensuring measurable progress toward a more sustainable digital future.

The following overview serves as a scientific reference and practical orientation, offering IT organizations a structured approach to adopting a Net Zero strategy.

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Sience Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
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ESG
ESG als zukünftiges Kernelement der IT-Strategie Die IT-Organisation stellt Technologien und Fähigkeiten für ESG bereit. „Nachhaltigkeit wird zum Eckpfeiler der IT- Strategie, zur Design-Prämisse bei der Definition der IT-Infrastruktur, zum Wegweiser für ganzheitliche Technologieentscheidungen und zum Leitbild für die Gewinnung neuer Ressourcen und die Realisierung von Wachstum.“ Silke Schelkmann,Partnerin CIO Advisory bei PwC Deutschland
Zum ganzen Bericht
MONSCH Consulting
Discover how MONSCH Consulting can transform your organization with tailored advisory services based on the IMPACT9 framework. Drive sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in your IT operations while achieving your net-zero goals.
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