DEVELOPING A SMARTER PLANET
D/505/5400
LEVEL 3
LO1 - Understand what is meant by a
smarter planet
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AIM AND PURPOSE OF THE UNIT
The Smarter Planet is an initiative developed by the IBM
corporation to encourage individuals and organisations to
think and develop solutions to processes or problems
innovatively. The purpose is to encourage individuals and
businesses to review their current practice to identify what
they could change to reduce the impact on the planet/
environment. The Smarter Planet initiative can be applied
cross sector and this unit encourages learners to consider the
ways in which improvements to processes may include cost
savings, environmental impact and system efficiencies.
The smarter ideas which learners may identify may initially be
small but may then grow and the focus is on constant
improvements, developments to “make the planet smarter”.
They should look at technological developments across a
range of sectors to consider whether these can be adapted to
other sectors and they should also identify activities or
processes they think can be improved in everyday life and
consider innovative solutions that may be developed.
Scenario
Criteria
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9
Assessment
Learning Outcome (LO)
The learner will:
Pass
The assessment criteria are
the pass requirements for this
unit.
The learner can:
1
P1
Explain how changes
in technology have
evolved over the last
century
P2
2
3
Understand what is
meant by a smarter
planet
Understand the
changing smarter
business environment
Understand how
smarter planet
technologies could be
further developed
Scenario
Criteria
1
2
Merit
For merit the evidence
must show that, in
addition to the pass
criteria, the learner is
able to:
Distinction
For distinction the
evidence must show
that, in addition to the
pass and merit criteria,
the learner is able to:
explain how evolutions
in technology have
impacted on everyday
life
M1 - Evaluate the wider
uses of these
technological
developments within
an identified sector
D1 - Discuss why the
smarter planet concept
is important to society
as a whole
P3
Explain the benefits
and beneficiaries of
improved technologies
to business
M1 - Describe how
organisations promote
their business using ecommerce
P4
Explain how advances
across business
sectors have brought
additional challenges
P5
Explain how advances
to technology could be
improved or extended
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4
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M2 - Discuss how
technologies could be
adapted to different
business purposes
9
Assessment
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They could start by reviewing what technology they use every day from getting a
bus or driving in the morning to their place of work or study. This would require
them to consider the traffic infrastructure, the technology used to power the
mode of transport, the way they identified a route, the way they sourced
timetables etc. By working as a group they could identify the other technologies
they use and as smaller groups should research the development of these. The
more they research the more they will be able to identify how these
developments have evolved potentially from different original purposes.
They should then identify, explain and discuss how life and environments have
changed over the last century or even longer. This research and discussion will
then give the learners an appreciation of how life, society, the environment and
business has changed over the period and even the past 20- 30 years.
The IBM Smarter Planet initiative is supported by a number of resources to allow
learners to understand the core principles, objectives and activities. The learners
can also identify the developments in technology made by IBM that have
advanced the technologies they use i.e. the Bar Code and magnetic strip.
The group with tutor facilitation should then consider the “by-products” of the
technological advances such as information and data although this could be
taught further and in more depth in related units.
Scenario
Criteria
1
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9
Assessment
 For
P1 learners must explain how
changes in technology have evolved
over the last century. This is not
restricted to computers and
technology but should consider a
wide range of technologies across a
number of sectors. Evidence could
be in the form of a time line
showing stages of the evolution.
Scenario
Criteria
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Assessment
In 2007, the world crossed an epochal threshold. For the first time in
history, the majority of the human population lived in cities. And
this urbanisation is accelerating. By 2013, there was 24 cities with
populations greater than 10 million, the definition of a Megacity.
The largest of these are the metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Delhi,
Mexico City, New York and Shanghai: each of these has a population
excess of 20 million inhabitants. If the trend continues, the world's
population as a whole will double every 45 years.
 With this comes urban problems that before 1996 when the current
students were born, were not such a global issue. These issues
include Slums, Homelessness, Traffic Congestion, Urban Sprawls,
Gentrification, Environmental Issues and Air Pollution.
Task 1 – P1.1 – Using research and one example each, define the
current problem with population expansion and urbanisation of
society.
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Slums
Homelessness
Gentrification
Scenario
Criteria
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Air Pollution
Environmental Issues
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Assessment
Urban Sprawls
Traffic Congestion
In response to society changes, the changes and developments in
technology are designed to address these issues but also change in
time with demands, sales, social pressure and advances in skills
and developments. For every thing we have in our daily life there
has been a development of some degree, not all of which is
obvious just as the reasons for change are not obvious.
 Cars still have 4 wheels, typewriters are still Qwerty, radios still
need tuning, radar and sonar still is still circular in tracking.
These things have not changed but the technologies within them
have advanced. Discuss the benefits in the technological change
and the social impact this change has made to society and
personal usage. From the selection below, discuss the scope of
change within these latent technologies:
 Cars, radar, sonar, typewriters, computers, radio, bicycles, trains,
impact clothing, kitchenware and white goods.
Scenario
Criteria
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Assessment
Technical Change – Describe the technical changes, what is different,
what has developed, use comparison tables of before and current.
 Condition for change – Why did it change, what was the demand, what
was wrong with the old systems, what in society is different to force this
change.
 Impact of Change – Describe the current rate of progression, what is
better with it, what impact has it had on technologies that are
dependant on it.
 Benefits of Change – Describe how we are better off for instance in
terms of economics, availability, quality of life, safety, speed and
reliability.
 Fallout of change – Discuss the consequences of the change in terms of
by-products, waste, employment, obsolescence, loss of practical skill
and independence.
Task 2 – P1.2 – Discuss the scope of change within three latent
technologies and the social impact these changes have made on society.
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Technical
Change
Scenario
Criteria
Condition for
change
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Impact of
Change
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Benefits of
change
Assessment
Fallout of
change
The continued automation of digital devices has been the main obvious form of
progress we see from day to day. This comes at a cost, specifically when this
technology is transferred to societies with less technical advancements as
western culture. It also has an impact on employments with the reduction in
staffing, the increase of unemployment and the need for reskilling.
 Digital devices – Even signing things has disappeared, count the amount of
technological devices in the standard household, digital television, landlines,
tablets, pads, sensors etc.
 Switches – Look at the old Star Trek vs. the New, no longer lights and buttons but
switches, the automation of everything we used to physically use is inevitable.
 Manufacturing – One worker when a thousand would once suffice, mechanised
production processes, automation of sales processes, streamlining of business
functions.
 Health support machines – the technical improvements in health monitoring
devices, biometric monitoring, personalised heart measures, pulse and calorie
monitors. Think of how much a professional runner uses technology in their daily
routines.
Task 3 – P1.3 – Discuss the scope of automation within three automated
technologies and the social impact these changes have made on society.
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Technical
Change
Scenario
Criteria
Condition for
change
1
2
3
4
5
Impact of
Change
6
7
8
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Benefits of
change
Assessment
Fallout of
change
The biggest obvious change we see around us and assume
that this is progress is our Phones and the way we
communicate. The technology in the way the information
travels has changed once in twenty five years in that we now
use signal towers to transfer the information instead of
satellites.
 Changes that are less obvious but push the demand for newer
and more capable technology includes screens, batteries,
storage, apps, size and design. Currently there are 6billion
phone subscriptions in use and the number of phones per
person is due to exceed one per person this year.
 In the next three years the blurred line between Phone and
Tablet will diminish as phones get more capable. The number
of text messages is already 5000 per second and 6billion in
December alone. Add to this Twitter and Instant Messaging it
is surprising we have time to talk.
Task 4 – P1.4 – Discuss the scope of automation within three
automated technologies and the social impact these changes
have made on society.
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Technical Change
Scenario
Criteria
Condition for
change
1
2
3
4
5
Impact of Change
6
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Benefits of
change
Assessment
Fallout of change
In reality most of the technical changes to our life happen over a
period rather than suddenly. We do not make technological leaps in
our society, nothing new has been invented, just better ways of
improving the efficiency of the old. When trains were introduced to
society in Britain between 1802 and 1814 they revolutionised the way
coal and steel was moved. When trains first opened across America in
1869, this opened up the western country for trade for the first time.
 Now we get progressive technology in place through stages. We see
Magnetic strips and bar codes on goods as a given, buy train tickets
online without thought, Rfid, Electricity, Digital Times Watches, Video
Cameras, Credit Cards, The internet, Technology in Flying and Remote
Controls, Car Engine dashboards and Dynamic Bus and Train Stop
Signs.
Task 5 – P1.5 – Discuss the scope of Embedded technology within three
accepted technologies and the social and business impact these changes
have made on society.
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Technical Change
Scenario
Criteria
Condition for
change
1
2
3
4
5
Impact of Change
6
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8
9
Benefits of
change
Assessment
Fallout of change
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Instead of dramatic changes and sudden revolutionary
inventions, we have had evolutions, some over a period of years,
some over decades. Some of these started off as improvements
to original developments before replacing them over a period
like CD’s replacing Tapes, or DVD’s replacing VHS. Others were
replaced through corporate pressure, better marketing, or a
social need. Examples of change through evolution include:
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Radio to DAB
Telephones to mobile
VHS to DVD
Analog Television to Digital
Manual to automated machinery
Walkman to iPod
Task 6 – P1.6 – Discuss the scope of Evolved technology within three different
spheres and the social and business impact these changes have made on the
individual.
Technical Change
Scenario
Criteria
Condition for
change
1
2
3
4
Impact of Change
5
6
7
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9
Benefits of
change
Assessment
Fallout of change
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Why change happens is open to debate. There are ethical arguments
that change is necessary for the advancement of technology, there are
business reasons that include sales, cost of production etc. and practical
reasons like the technology was out-dated, inconvenient or merely lost
its appeal.
Reduce manpower requirements - companies often industrialise or automate so they can
have less staff, because it is cheaper to produce through automated processes or because
smaller technologies require less parts.
Improve quality of life - it is argued by some that technology is bad but developments and
change is there for the benefit of the individual. Medical technology, car technology to
improve driving safety, white goods and kitchen ware to make cooking easier.
3 year cycle – cyclical changes in technology are common, xbox for xbox 360, laptops
doubling memory every 3 years, 3 year built in obsolescence. Cars for most people get
replaced every few years, next one is faster, better technology, more comfortable, more
rounded.
Development changes – technology gets smaller, manufacturers develop new methods to
reduce the size, reduce production costs, reduce power capacities. The biggest reason the
original mobile was so large was the battery supply necessary, now they are so small and the
requirements for housing has been reduced.
Task 7 – P1.7 – Discuss the different purposes driving technology change and the influences
of society on these changes.
Reduce manpower requirements
Scenario
Criteria
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Improve quality of life
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3 year cycle
Assessment
Development changes
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Those who argue that change is good and necessary usually focus on speed, efficiency,
reduction of waste by products and that change is bound to be environmentally friendly.
These arguments are negotiable and often the selling point of companies in their
marketing.
Speed processes - My car is faster than yours, my phone, my bike, my watch. This is the
most common argument with change and for the demand for change. Faster means better,
faster means you can do more things afterwards or during.
Improve efficiency – New products and technologies are designed to improve efficiency,
reduce accidents, be safe. Drills now have shield guards, cars now have airbags, phones
can be dropped with less risk of damage. Consider prams, they have lower centre of
gravity that the older prams, have 8 wheels instead of 4 for manoeuvrability.
Reduce waste and inefficiency - Newer products tend to be more cost effective to run and
reduce down losses, in theory. Cars are definitely more fuel efficient, phones take less
battery life to run or have better batteries. Inventions that take half the time to do twice as
much are common, combine harvesters vitalised the American Agricultural Economy in
1934.
Harness natural resources – New products and new production processes that involve
exploiting more natural resources, green fuel, green cars, recycled clothing, pulped and
recycled papers, reclaimed land, Fair-trade goods.
Task 8 – P1.8 – Discuss the ethical, business and justification purposes driving technology
change and the influences of society on these changes.
Speed Processes
Scenario
Criteria
Improve Efficiency
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Reduce Waste and inefficiency
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Assessment
Harness Natural Resources
“Smarter planet - For five years, IBM’ers have been working with companies, cities and
communities around the world to build a Smarter Planet. We've seen enormous
advances, as leaders are using an explosion of data to transform their enterprises and
institutions through analytics, mobile technology, social business and the cloud.
 We've also seen how this new era is starting to create winners. They’re changing how
their decisions are made. They're redesigning how their teams work, reassessing how
to serve their customers, and changing the very nature of business.
 It's the ability to harness data that gives these leaders their competitive advantage in
the era of "smart.“ Today, conventions once universally held are giving way to new
perspectives, new ways of working, and new solutions across industries. Roles are
changing. And more than ever, leaders need a partner to help them adapt.”
Task 9 – P1.9 - Using the three documents, PPT1, PPT2 and PPT3, review and evidence
the documentation based on the Focus, Objectives and Principles.
 Click here for further information on IBM’s Smarter Planet scheme.
 Focus/objectives – outline the focus and objectives of the Smarter Planet initiative and
what it hoper to achieve in terms of ultimate goal.
 Principles e.g.
◦ Information - How we use data..
◦ Instrumented - How industries collaborate
◦ Interconnected - How we make a smarter planet.
◦ Relevance – How change matters
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Scenario
Criteria
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Assessment
Task 1 – P1.1 – Using research and one example each, define the current problem
with population expansion and urbanisation of society.
Task 2 – P1.2 – Discuss the scope of change within three latent technologies and the
social impact these changes have made on society.
Task 3 – P1.3 – Discuss the scope of automation within three automated
technologies and the social impact these changes have made on society.
Task 4 – P1.4 – Discuss the scope of automation within three automated
technologies and the social impact these changes have made on society.
Task 5 – P1.5 – Discuss the scope of Embedded technology within three accepted
technologies and the social and business impact these changes have made on
society.
Task 6 – P1.6 – Discuss the scope of Evolved technology within three different
spheres and the social and business impact these changes have made on the
individual.
Task 7 – P1.7 – Discuss the different purposes driving technology change and the
influences of society on these changes.
Task 8 – P1.8 – Discuss the ethical, business and justification purposes driving
technology change and the influences of society on these changes.
Task 9 – P1.9 - Using the three documents, PPT1, PPT2 and PPT3, review and
evidence the documentation based on the Focus, Objectives and Principles.
Scenario
Criteria
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Assessment