ISO 9004 Sustainability Evaluation

Part 1 — Sustainability Concepts

This part of the questionnaire will help you to verify your knowledge and awareness in key areas related to sustainability concepts.

Please select all appropriate answers:

1. Sustainable development, as defined by the Report of the Brundtland Commission “Our Common Future”, is focused on: a) respecting and making prudent use of natural resources b) meeting the needs in the present without compromising the needs of the future c) merging environment and economics in decision making to achieve long term success d) elimination of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization e) all of the above

2. Sustainability of an organization, as defined by ISO 9004, is the ability of an organization to: a) apply process approach to manage economic, social and ecological issues b) manage and address interests of all interested parties c) maintain or develop its performance in the long term d) all of the above e) none of the above

3. According to the Mission statement of Global 100 Sustainable Corporations, evaluation of a company’s competitive potential is based on the analysis of: a) tangible assets (property, equipment, vehicles, computers, etc.) b) intangible assets (patents, copyrights, brands, social image, etc.) c) both tangible and intangible assets d) more tangible than intangible assets e) more intangible than tangible assets

4. What sources of information are used to determine the Dow Jones Sustainability Index? a) online questionnaire b) submitted documentation c) self-assessment data d) benchmarking data e) contact with companies

5. What factors are included in the calculation of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes? a) Corporate Governance b) Codes of Conduct c) Customer Relationship Management d) Labor Practice Indicators e) all of the above

Part 1 — Sustainability Concepts (continued)

Please select all appropriate answers:

6. The Principles for Responsible Investment are based on addressing ESG issues in investment policies. ESG stands for: a) Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance b) Economic Growth, Social Equity, and Global Environmental Management c) Environment, Sustainability, and Growth d) Business Ethics, Social Reporting, and Global Citizenship e) Environment Protection, Supply-Chain Management, and Global Compliance

7. More and more corporations issue annual sustainability reports to: a) inform of potential risks associated with their activities in economic, environmental and social aspects b) provide transparency on commitments in economic, environmental and social aspects c) explain their policies and strategy in economic, environmental and social aspects d) comply with mandatory policies and regulations e) develop relationships with customers, businesses, employees and partners

8. Leading technology providers (Cisco Systems, Inc. as an example) have found growing demand for sustainability solutions that can help their customers to: a) control and reduce energy consumption b) reduce facility needs and carbon-centric travel c) reduce inventory and overproduction costs d) minimize waste through operational efficiency e) all of the above

9. Based on the Report of the Brundtland Commission “Our Common Future”, key elements for reducing environmental impact at the organizational level are: a) reorienting technology to environmental factors b) risk management c) technological innovation d) life cycle analysis e) environmental labeling

10. According to ISO Strategic Plan 2005–2010, the intent of ISO International Standards is to contribute to a sustainable world through: a) facilitation of global trade b) environment and consumer protection c) the rational use of natural resources d) global dissemination of good practices e) all of the above

Part 2 — Sustainability Milestones

This part of the questionnaire is focused on timelines of the most important milestones in the development of sustainability theories and practices.

Please choose the correct year from the drop-down list:

1. Sustainable development is defined by the Brundtland Commission.

2. ISO publishes “Horizon 2010 — Standards for a Sustainable World.”

3. The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World project was launched.

4. Technical Committee TC 207 is created to establish international environmental management standards.

5. The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes were launched.

6. UN declares a decade of education for sustainable development.

7. The Principles for Responsible Investment based on sustainability are launched.

8. The World Summit for Sustainable Development is held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

9. A Working Group was established within ISO to develop International Standards on social responsibility.

10. ISO 9004 “Managing for sustainability — A quality management approach” was issued.

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends

Dr. Gary Cort and Natalia Scriabina have identified the most critical trends for achieving sustained success of an organization. The seven sustainability trends provide a strong platform for building intangible values focused on achieving sustainable success.

In this part of the evaluation you will verify your awareness in the areas of increasing importance for both sustainability and quality, through the prism of ISO 9004.

#1 Innovation Management

Please choose the most appropriate answer:

1. Innovation can be measured and managed as a process.

True False

2. Innovation is not mentioned in any other standard of ISO series 9000 and/or other version of ISO 9004, except ISO 9004.

True False

3. There are two main categories of innovation.

True False

4. ISO 9004 suggests that it is necessary to plan and prioritize innovations.

True False

5. Based on the contents of ISO 9004, there are no criteria to clearly differentiate innovations from improvements.

True False

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends (continued)

#2 Proactive Learning

Please choose the most appropriate answer:

1. Approaches to learning can be fully evaluated by reviewing competence, awareness and training processes.

True False

Questions 2 through 5 reference the contents of ISO 9004.

2. A learning culture that treats weaknesses as opportunities is characteristic of the highest maturity level for sustained success.

True False

3. Learning generated only from systematic analysis of problems can be characterized as reactive and is an attribute of low maturity levels for sustained success.

True False

4. The foundation for improvements and innovations is the ability to obtain reliable information from external sources.

True False

5. Knowledge management systems, tools and formal processes are cited as important factors in achieving sustained success.

True False

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends (continued)

#3 Strategic Partnership

The following questions reference the contents of ISO 9004.

Please choose the most appropriate answer:

1. Partners can include suppliers, technological and financial institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, customers, owners, employees, and society.

True False

2. Sharing of profits or losses with partners is one characteristic of the highest maturity level for sustained success.

True False

3. Availability of data that demonstrate engagement and contribution of partners is a characteristic of the highest maturity level for achieving sustained success.

True False

4. Risk evaluation doesn’t apply to partner selection in efforts to achieve sustained success.

True False

5. Establishing relationship processes with key partners is important to achieving sustained success.

True False

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends (continued)

#4 Adaptive Planning

Please choose the most appropriate answer:

1. The continually changing and uncertain business environment is a theme that runs through all versions of ISO 9004.

True False

According to ISO 9004, in order to achieve sustained success, it is necessary to:

2. have a long term planning perspective

True False

3. monitor the organization’s environment

True False

4. address upcoming opportunities through the change management process

True False

5. apply a “just in time” approach to identify future resource needs

True False

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends (continued)

#5 Information Management

Please choose the most appropriate answer:

1. Warren Buffett is quoted as saying: “Information flow is the primary differentiator in the digital age. How you gather, manage, and use information will determine whether you win or lose.”

True False

According to ISO 9004, factors that can indicate a high level of maturity for sustained success are:

2. a documented information security policy

True False

3. established processes to identify, obtain, maintain, protect, and use information

True False

4. regular internal information security audits and/or reviews

True False

5. benchmarking of the results achieved in the area of information management

True False

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends (continued)

#6 Service and Process Management

According to ISO 9004, factors that can indicate a high maturity level for sustained success are:

Please choose the most appropriate answer:

1. Anticipated service/process upgrades are planned and evaluated.

True False

2. Service/process parameters are above the average sector.

True False

3. Process/service is defined and managed.

True False

4. Process responsibilities are defined clearly.

True False

5. Learning is shared between process owners and interested parties.

True False

Part 3 — Sustainability Trends (continued)

#7 Social Responsibility

According to ISO 26000, the core subjects and issues of social responsibility are:

Please choose the most appropriate answer (True or False):

1. Organizational governance

True False

2. Philanthropy

True False

3. The environment

True False

4. Business Continuity

True False

5. Labor practices

True False

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