Learning Paths

Role-based sequences through Alpaka.ai resources (so you always know what to do next)

Core3 min

What this is

A Learning Path is a recommended order of resources that gets you a real outcome as fast as possible.

This is not a "course." It's a practical sequence:

  • •Start simple
  • •Build control systems first
  • •Build data pipelines second
  • •Expand into Scope 3 only after Scope 2 is stable

Quick start (3 minutes)

Pick one role path below
Do the first two resources this week
Copy at least one template and start using it immediately
Share the path with your team so everyone uses the same sequence

Stages (public structure)

These are the public stages you'll see on the site:

1
Foundations — vocabulary + orientation
2
Run the Operation — renewals, contracts, invoice controls, vendor governance
3
Carbon Basics — Scope 1/2 foundations (utility data first)
4
Scope 3, Made Practical — screen → focus → improve + category kits
CollectionLeased Assets(within Scope 3)

Finance Path

Goal: predictable savings + auditability + fewer surprises

Week 1 (control plane)

  1. Renewal Control System
  2. Invoice and Change Order Leakage System

Deliverable: Renewal tracker for top vendors; Rule: no extra work billed without change order ID

Week 2 (structure)

  1. Contract Repository Setup Guide
  2. Invoice Variance Root Cause Playbook

Deliverable: Contract links connected to renewal tracker; Variance log with reason codes

Week 3+ (carbon readiness, only when stable)

  1. Scope 2 Utility Data Pipeline Starter Kit

Fastest win: stop one auto-renew or dispute one incorrect invoice line item

Procurement and Ops Path

Goal: regain leverage, stop leakage, and create vendor accountability

Week 1 (leverage)

  1. Renewal Control System
  2. Vendor Scorecard + QBR Kit

Deliverable: Scorecard for top 1–3 vendors; Monthly cadence + QBR schedule

Week 2 (billing integrity)

  1. Invoice and Change Order Leakage System
  2. Invoice Variance Root Cause Playbook

Deliverable: Change order log running; Weekly variance review ritual

Week 3 (contract mechanics)

  1. Auto-Renewal Clause Explainer
  2. Price Escalator Clause Explainer

Fastest win: cut vendor "extra work" creep by enforcing approvals

Sustainability Path

Goal: credible reporting numbers that don't collapse under scrutiny

Week 1 (language + boundaries)

  1. GHG Protocol in Plain English (Real Estate Edition)
  2. Scope 2 Utility Data Pipeline Starter Kit

Deliverable: A clean utility intake table (kWh + billing dates + evidence link)

Week 2 (Scope 1)

  1. Scope 1 Basics for Real Estate Ops

Deliverable: Scope 1 source inventory (fuel + refrigerants if applicable)

Week 3 (Scope 3 without paralysis)

  1. Scope 3 in Plain English (Real Estate Edition)
  2. Scope 3 Screening Playbook (2-week rough estimate)

Week 4+ (supplier engagement)

  1. Supplier Engagement Starter Pack
  2. Category kits (start with Cat 1 / 2 / 5 most often)

Fastest win: stop "we don't have the data" by building a defensible Scope 2 dataset

Leasing and Property Management Path

Goal: make tenant/landlord utility data flow and reduce allocation fights

Week 1 (who has the data)

  1. Utility Responsibility in Real Estate
  2. Tenant Utility Data Playbook (tenant-paid utilities)

Deliverable: A tenant utility roster with assigned collection pathway per tenant

Week 2 (allocations that don't explode)

  1. Allocation Rules Cookbook

Deliverable: A standard allocation method policy + reconciliation checklist

Week 3 (make it permanent)

  1. Green Lease Clauses Starter Pack (Data + Controls)

Deliverable: MVP green lease clause package + "no renewal without data clause" rule

Week 4 (make it measured, not guessed)

  1. Metering Strategy Playbook

Fastest win: get one building's tenant utility data collected and QA'd for a quarter

Vendor / Partner Path

Goal: be easy to work with, win renewals, and reduce friction

Complete sequence

  1. Renewal Control System (understand buyer timelines and notice windows)
  2. Vendor Scorecard + QBR Kit (know how you'll be evaluated)
  3. Supplier Engagement Starter Pack (provide activity data without drama)

Deliverable: A "data readiness pack" (what you can provide, in what format, how often)

If you're not sure which path to pick

Use this rule:

  • •If you're losing money from chaos → Run the Operation first
  • •If you need credible carbon numbers → Carbon Basics first
  • •If leased assets / tenant utilities are your pain → Leasing and PM path
  • •If you're a vendor trying to win accounts → Vendor Path

Beginner rule: Don't start Scope 3 seriously until Scope 2 (kWh + evidence) is stable.

Copy/Paste Templates

Template 1 — Personal Path Tracker (copy into a doc)

My role/path:
My objective (1 sentence):
My "one win" this week:

Resource 1:
Owner:
Deliverable:
Due date:

Resource 2:
Owner:
Deliverable:
Due date:

Blockers:
How I'll prove impact:
Next person I'll share this with:

Template 2 — Team rollout message (Slack/email)

Subject: We're standardizing on one operating path

Team — we're using Alpaka Resources as our default "how-to" library.
Start here: [Start Here URL]

Pick your path:
- Finance
- Procurement and Ops
- Sustainability
- Leasing and Property Management
- Vendors

This week's goal: each person completes the first 2 resources in their path and ships 1 deliverable.
Reply with your path + your deliverable by [date].

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release