Hardly a day goes by without reading or hearing something about the topic of sustainability. Sustainability, and the idea of creating a world where everyone is doing their part to increase sustainability and improve the planet for future generations, is becoming increasingly important. The big question is what exactly does sustainability mean in the world of project management?
What is project management sustainability?
In simple terms it is all about viewing your projects from a new perspective. For a project manager this can mean making those decisions that are right for the company, its employees and society in general. It really is just about doing the right thing.
Initiatives for Net Zero are just one way in which the world is trying to become more sustainable. A project manager with an interest in enhancing and protecting the environment could find that building a career for a sustainable future becomes an increasingly attractive prospect. Those considering a career in project management would be wise to get on board sooner rather than later to harness the opportunities open to them.
Let’s have a look at why sustainable project management is so important and how it is possible to achieve it in a more holistic manner.
What is sustainable project management?
Sustainability has become an increasingly important focus for all businesses in recent years as they have come to the realisation that it is not a responsible option to take a back seat in this respect. It is widely established that of the top countries across the globe, just over 70% of them have disclosed not only their greenhouse gas emissions but also other important energy metrics.
Unfortunately, sustainability within project management is not as simple as tracking climate change and being environmentally-friendly. It is important to ensure that the use of resources is done in a responsible manner, that individuals are treated equally, as well as being paid a fair wage, and that the wider community is factored into any decisions. Any project manager who works in this field will do well to take a more holistic approach, that allows them to properly assess the environmental, economic and social factors. They will need to work alongside a range of other people including, hydrogeologists, environmental planners and geotechnical engineers who are all experts in related fields that are having a significant impact when it comes to finding ways in which the world can be redesigned for the better.
Assessing the impact of projects
Governments, and business leaders are now fully aware of the impact human activity is having on the climate. The question facing individual project managers is how can they place sustainability at the centre of every project that they undertake?
There are benchmarking tools that project managers can use in order to assess the impact that their plans might have. These include the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). One of the reasons using benchmarking tools can be effective is that they can help to incorporate sustainability across the entire build environment lifecycle, from the first points in the design cycle. Because of this a project manager can make sure that any developments within a project are there to enhance the environment and, therefore, the wellbeing of the individuals who live in it.
Building sustainability into your project plan
It is the role of the project manager to oversee the delivery of a project and also the support process, all while motivating their team to deliver excellence. Both of these have the aim of ensuring that the client will be satisfied with the final outcome. This is the essence of any professional project management role.
Any project manager who has sustainability in the forefront of their thinking is more likely to take an approach that is holistic. The are likely to factor in not only how they might use resources but also consider climate change mitigation, community involvement, property rights and even human rights. It might be considered to be a multifaceted job; however, it is one that can have a significant societal impact when done right. The vision of a project manager is always to create something that has value, whilst also ensuring their project is completed on budget and on time but through execution that is both fair and ethical.
The protection of natural resources is something that everyone needs to be involved with, from the most junior member of a team to the executive levels within any organisation. The protection of the environment is something that everyone is responsible for and making sure that a project is a sustainable one needs to be a collaborative effort.
We may only be in the early stages of achieving sustainability goals, and there are certainly challenges that stand in the way, but when the business works together it is possible to make at least some incremental changes. These small changes over time can become more significant and have a greater impact on society and the environment around us.