Last updated on Feb 18, 2024

How do you add sustainability to your project management?

Sustainability is not only a buzzword, but also a strategic priority for many organizations and project managers. But how do you add sustainability to your project management practices and processes? In this article, we will explore some practical tips and examples to help you integrate environmental, social, and economic aspects into your project planning, execution, and evaluation.

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1 Define your sustainability goals

The first step to add sustainability to your project management is to define your sustainability goals and objectives. What are the desired outcomes and impacts of your project on the environment, society, and economy? How do they align with your organization's vision and mission? How do they contribute to the global sustainability agenda, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? You can use tools such as the Sustainability Scorecard or the Sustainability Triangle to help you identify and prioritize your sustainability goals and indicators.

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Manahil Elhassan, PMP®

Project Manager | Construction Manager | Senior Architect | Contracts Management |19+ years of hands-on Design Management & Construction Supervision
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Adhere to environmental standards: Incorporate environmentally friendly practices throughout the project lifecycle. Integration of social inclusiveness and promoting economic opportunities to the local communities

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Eduardo Ramos Guzman

Gerente de Sustentabilidad Corporativa en Grupo Zucarmex
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El tener claridad en la Visión de la compañía y conocer sus riesgos y oportunidades, ayudará en la planificación y gestión de la sostenibilidad… Siempre habrá que tener en cuenta el sector Social, Ambiental y Económico para trabajar sobre temas materiales que los grupos de interés demandarán a la compañía atender… Si no hay previo análisis se correrá el riesgo de que los proyectos no cristalicen y que su gestión esté simplemente llena de obstáculos. Quizás viéndolo desde la perspectiva de la objetividad del desarrollo sostenible, apegarse a las metas e KPIs de los ODS puede ayudar a que los proyectos sean sostenibles o al menos sean considerados como tal… Bajo un esquema de la sostenibilidad..

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2 Assess your sustainability risks and opportunities

The next step is to assess your sustainability risks and opportunities in relation to your project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and stakeholders. What are the potential positive and negative effects of your project on the environment, society, and economy? How can you mitigate the risks and maximize the opportunities? How can you incorporate sustainability criteria into your project selection, procurement, and contracting processes? You can use tools such as the Sustainability SWOT Analysis or the Sustainability Risk Register to help you analyze and manage your sustainability risks and opportunities.

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3 Implement your sustainability actions

The third step is to implement your sustainability actions throughout your project life cycle. How can you apply sustainability principles and practices to your project design, development, delivery, and closure? How can you monitor and measure your sustainability performance and progress? How can you communicate and report your sustainability results and achievements to your project team, sponsors, clients, and other stakeholders? You can use tools such as the Sustainability Action Plan or the Sustainability Dashboard to help you execute and control your sustainability actions.

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4 Evaluate your sustainability outcomes and impacts

The final step is to evaluate your sustainability outcomes and impacts after your project is completed. How did your project affect the environment, society, and economy? How did you meet your sustainability goals and objectives? How did you address your sustainability risks and opportunities? How did you learn from your sustainability successes and failures? How can you improve your sustainability practices and processes for future projects? You can use tools such as the Sustainability Evaluation Framework or the Sustainability Impact Assessment to help you review and reflect on your sustainability outcomes and impacts.

By following these steps, you can add sustainability to your project management and create more value for your organization, your stakeholders, and the planet. Sustainability is not only a moral duty, but also a competitive advantage and a source of innovation and differentiation for project managers in the 21st century.

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Manahil Elhassan, PMP®

Project Manager | Construction Manager | Senior Architect | Contracts Management |19+ years of hands-on Design Management & Construction Supervision
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Develop partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, international development agencies, and other stakeholders to leverage their expertise, resources, and networks. Partnerships can help enhance project outcomes and ensure sustainability beyond project completion.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Edmilson Azevedo

Estagiário em Sustentabilidade | Gestão de Projetos | Excel | Cacau | ESG | Cargill
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O foco de um bom projeto é principalmente não sua elaboração, todavia é preciso sempre fornecer uma tenção especial na hora de implementá-lo e acompanhar corriqueiramente os percentuais atingidos para que seja possível avaliar melhoras ou mesmo novas ideais e soluções. Elaborar é um campo teórico, quando implementamos um projeto existem variáveis do ambiente que não foram consideradas e que podem resultar numa baixa dos atingidos. Por isso que a Resiliência é Improvisação são aspectos essenciais na gestão de projetos. De modo a se chegar um objetivo sustentável!

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How do you add sustainability to your project management?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Define your sustainability goals

2 Assess your sustainability risks and opportunities

3 Implement your sustainability actions

4 Evaluate your sustainability outcomes and impacts

5 Here’s what else to consider

Project Management

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How do you add sustainability to your project management?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Define your sustainability goals

2 Assess your sustainability risks and opportunities

3 Implement your sustainability actions

4 Evaluate your sustainability outcomes and impacts

5 Here’s what else to consider

Project Management

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