Sustainable Project management

Abstract

(NEW)

(OLD) Sustainable project management refers to overseeing projects that work towards a strategic goal of creating outcomes and benefits that help meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Ref.UN.Def.Sustainability).

Executing such projects encompass close maintenance by the project manager of the 3 main objectives: 1. Definition and assessment of agreeable sustainable outcomes together with stakeholders both in short and long term 2. Establish clear and science-based reporting on sustainable outcome goals (ISO) 3. Continuous monitoring of these goals through the project and its resources.

Definition aspect aligns companies project goals with commonly known goals such as Social Development Goals (UN ref) with sponsors and stakeholder needs. Furthermore, tools such as lifecycle assessment allow projects to make note of both long-term resource usage and the project's influence on indirect stakeholders.

The aligned Reporting aspect is essential for projects outcomes to be recognised and assessed for positive impact towards sustainable development. GRI reporting and Science-based target guidelines provide principles to ensure it.

Continuous monitoring aspect throughout the project ensures that the resource usage and execution of the project aligns with the definition of sustainable outcomes and provides opportunities to reassess them.

This article explains each aspect more in detail and finally makes note of several pitfalls, such as the 'rebound effect' and long-term view that stand in the way of achieving these objectives. Such management serves a purpose to bring accountability to company resource usage across programs and influence upon social dynamics of both internal and external stakeholders.

References

To be sorted and done right