The material and information in this document constructs a more detailed perspective of the LEED process than what is presented in the Studio4 6 Step Study Plan for the LEED Green Associate Exam. Many exam candidates begin their exploration into the study process completely overwhelmed by the volume, perceived complexities and, on occasion, inconsistencies and contradictions with available study resources, often starting out in a confused and misguided direction.

It would be difficult to comprehend the information necessary to pass the Green Associate exam without fully understanding the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the mechanisms established under USGBC’s control – the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating Systems. Simply reading the vast amount of material defining each doesn’t necessarily provide the matrix that connects each and how this pyramid functions. As disconcerting as this may seem, perhaps it would be helpful if we developed our analysis of LEED, as a whole, as compared with something more familiar. Shortly it should become apparent the role of the U.S. Green Building Council with regard to environmental stewardship and the organized green movement.