Transforming a conventional enterprise, business model, and product into a sustainable one.
Once upon a time, we were SolarX — a typical solar company. We sold solar systems that helped reduce energy bills, but our business model was not groundbreaking: high prices, limited accessibility, and products focused more on efficiency than on their full environmental and social impact.
Then we asked: Why not become the most sustainable solar company in the world?
That question began the transformation of SolarX into SustainaSun — a movement to make solar energy affordable for everyone, installable anywhere, and genuinely beneficial to both the planet and society.
SustainaSun is not just a company. It is a movement toward a brighter, fairer future.
SustainableTogether is an open-source initiative by the INCOSE Sustainability Working Group that explores how systems engineering can support the transformation from conventional practices to sustainable business models, enterprise architecture and products for a flourishing future.
In its generic term, the project serves as a platform, where like-minded people come together, solve sustainability challanges and spreads them to the outside world.
Everyone is welcome, every skill is needed to tackle this wicked problem.
This repository serves as a shared knowledge base and collaborative workspace for:
- Methods, processes and tools that supports the transformation to sustainable practices.
- Educational materials, presentations, and webinar content
SustainableTogether/
├── SustainableTogether Approach/ # Governance, methodology, and framework
│ ├── README.md # Generic Approach Framework (8 layers + holistic topics)
│ ├── CLAUDE.md # Guidance for AI contributors in this workspace
│ ├── COLLABORATION_WORKFLOW.md # Detailed issue templates, PR workflow, review process
│ └── WG_Leadership_Tracker_csv.csv # All 18 WG task groups: leads, status, time commitment
│
├── SustainableTogether Projects/ # Concrete case studies and implementations
│ ├── System Model/ # SysML v2/MBSE models for SolarX → SustainaSun
│ │ ├── SolarX/ # AS-IS baseline: PVArray, Inverter, Battery, Controller, Grid
│ │ └── [Future] SustainaSun/ # TO-BE transformation model (Milestone 2)
│ └── Sustainability Stakeholder Mapping/ # Ecosystem analysis: partners, collaborators, target audiences
│
├── Our Presentations/ # Presentations and publications by the working group
├── SustainabilityWebinarSeries/ # Slides from the INCOSE Sustainability Webinar Series
├── docs/ # Full documentation (also published via GitHub Pages)
│
├── README.md # You are here — Vision, contribution paths, milestones
├── CONTRIBUTING.md # How to contribute: issue vs. workstream pathway routing
├── WORKSTREAMS.md # All 18 INCOSE Sustainability WG task groups with descriptions
├── LICENSE # MIT License
└── On-Boarding Document # Introduction to SustainableTogether & INCOSE Sustainability WG
| Directory | Purpose | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| SustainableTogether Approach/ | Framework, governance, contribution guidance, WG tracker | Sustainability WG |
| SustainableTogether Projects/ | Case studies, SysML models, ecosystem analysis | Contributors |
| docs/ | GitHub Pages documentation | Contributors |
| Our Presentations/ | Community outreach and thought leadership | Contributors |
| SustainabilityWebinarSeries/ | Recorded webinar materials | Content workstream |
Full documentation is available at:
thenightfox-1.github.io/SustainableTogether
Topics covered:
We welcome contributions from anyone — you do not need to be a systems engineer or sustainability expert.
Pick a concrete issue from the GitHub Project Board and make a pull request.
Quick Start (3 Steps):
- Browse the issues for an issue that interest you
- Claim an issue by commenting "I'll work on this" — maintainers will assign you
- Follow the workflow:
- Create a branch:
git checkout -b issue-#N-brief-title - Work locally, validate your changes (SysIDE for SysML, LCA pipeline for LCA)
- Open a Pull Request linking to the issue with
Closes #N - Maintainers review and merge
- Create a branch:
Best for: People who want focused, bounded tasks they can complete in 1–2 weeks.
Contribute to one of 18 INCOSE Sustainability WG task groups — ongoing research and community activities.
How to Get Involved:
- Browse the WG Leadership Tracker to see all workstreams
- Find an open role that matches your expertise (Business Models, Digital Engineering, Circular Economy, Risk Analysis, etc.)
- Volunteer — contact the workstream lead or comment on the tracker "I'd like to volunteer for X"
- Contribute asynchronously — sync at monthly WG meetings; coordinate smaller deliverables as needed
Active Workstreams (with assigned leads):
- Systems Thinking / System Dynamics
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Sustainability Requirements
- INCOSE Connect Moderation
- Manage Networking
Open Workstreams (recruiting volunteers):
- Business Models & Circular Economy
- Digital Engineering & MBSE
- GitHub Management & Repo Structure
- Enterprise Architecture
- Enabling Systems & Tools
- Regeneration & Beyond-Sustainability
- Risk Analysis & Regulatory Compliance
- And more — see WORKSTREAMS.md for all 18 with full descriptions
Best for: People who want deeper, ongoing involvement in research, strategy, or community building.
| I want to... | Where | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Work on the SysML model | Pick an architecture issue (#3–#5) from the project board | Intermediate |
| Run LCA analysis | Pick an LCA issue (#6–#8), use openLCA + SimpleLCAIntegration2 pipeline | Advanced |
| Write documentation | Pick a docs issue (#9, #14), or improve guides in docs/ |
Beginner |
| Design SustainaSun strategy | Join the Business Models workstream or pick issues #10–#13 | Intermediate |
| Ask a question | Start a Discussion or comment on an issue | Any |
| Report a bug | Open an issue with error details (SysIDE Problems, LCA validation logs) | Any |
| Share resources | Open an issue or discussion with links/documents | Any |
Getting Started:
- CONTRIBUTING.md — How to contribute, issue vs. workstream pathway routing, PR checklist
- Onboarding Document — Full introduction to SustainableTogether and INCOSE Sustainability WG
Framework & Governance:
- SustainableTogether Approach / README.md — Generic Approach Framework: 8-layer transformation journey with milestone mapping
- WORKSTREAMS.md — All 18 INCOSE Sustainability WG task groups with descriptions, leads, and how to participate
- WG_Leadership_Tracker_csv.csv — Current leads, co-leads, and open roles
Detailed Workflows:
- SustainableTogether Approach / COLLABORATION_WORKFLOW.md — Issue templates, PR workflow, project board columns, review process
- SustainableTogether Approach / CLAUDE.md — Guidance for AI contributors and system implementers
-
SolarX AS-IS Complete ← Current focus (Issues #3–#9)
- Full SysML v2 model (all 9 SYSMOD steps)
- LCA baseline for all 5 components
- Non-engineer documentation
-
SustainaSun v1 (Issues #10–#12)
- Business model transformation (PaaS leasing)
- Enterprise architecture (new capabilities)
- 9R circular economy strategy alignment
-
DPP Integration (Issues #13–#14)
- Digital Product Passport (EU ESPR compliance)
- Regulatory alignment documentation
New to the project? Start with the Onboarding Document for a full introduction to SustainableTogether and the INCOSE Sustainability Working Group.
This project is licensed under the MIT License. Copyright (c) 2024 SustainableTogether Contributors.
Questions or ideas? Reach us at [email protected] or open a Discussion.