An IBM methodology for evaluating emerging requirements

The information technology (IT) industry has seen a proliferation of proposed and legislated requirements affecting the environmental characteristics of IT products. In order to better determine the potential impact of these new and proposed requirements, IBM has developed a systematic process to address and document emerging environmental requirements as they relate to IBM(R) product interests. The methodology has been incorporated into IBM's environmental management system under ISO 14001 and is used to help ensure that appropriate focus on specific product design aspects targeted by government initiatives, consumers and special interest groups is applied in IBM's product development and environmental program activities. This paper describes IBM's methodology for evaluating emerging requirements as well as the associated tools used to identify and monitor these requirements.