Small firms may complete the diagnostic exam in a matter of hours, while larger ones designate teams and split up questions. It may be beneficial to answer the questions in the diagnostic survey as a team to learn together and designate team leaders in different areas of the survey. The Diagnostic Survey is an 86-question, comprehensive assessment of your organization in the areas of People, Planet, and Performance.
Upon submitting the questionnaire, a business or non-profit receives feedback in the form of a Diagnostic Report within a maximum of 30 days from our staff and grad student fellows. The Diagnostic Report contains targeted, customized feedback from Sustainability Fellows on your organization’s sustainability performance, strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity based on your responses to the Diagnostic Survey.
Beginning August 1, 2010, an average score of 40% will be required to become a Green Plus Mover and be listed in the National Directory. To qualify for Green Plus™ certification, you must achieve an overall score of 80% or higher and at least 70% in each category of People, Planet and Performance. Note that achieving a passing score does not guarantee certification. Additionally, your organization must demonstrate the following: 1) communication of sustainability practices to its stakeholders, such as customers and suppliers, 2) employee involvement in sustainability (i.e. incorporate sustainability in to the business culture), and 3) mission, vision and/or values must include a commitment to sustainability.
If a business meets all the conditions above it may move directly to Step 5.
If an organization falls short in one or more categories, the next step is to review the survey questions and answers and develop an action plan to implement new practices. A typical organization will take one to four quarters to roll out new sustainable practices. Additionally, Sustainability Fellows in business, law, environmental studies and public policy are available to help coach the enterprise in how to become more sustainable and thereby improve its score.
The business Implements planned changes and logs back in to their account to update answers and resubmit the Diagnostic Survey.
