Sustainable project management

Sustainability. A term that is increasingly used too often, even so often that the word hardly makes an impression anymore. You see slogans like: 'sustainable choice!' in the supermarket or 'we are working towards a sustainable business' in a job posting, but what is meant by this? Sustainability has evolved into a catch-all term, it is supposed to cover the entire gamut, but as a result it does not really mean anything anymore. Because of this sustainability hype, sustainability is also increasingly cited as a requirement in project and organisational objectives. Project managers are faced with the challenge of taking sustainability into account in their projects from various sides, but how do you ensure that sustainability does impress?

Sustainability themes in project management

To set up a sustainable project, or to better manage sustainability, it is good to be specific. Shift the focus from general sustainability to the different aspects of sustainability that are relevant for setting up or implementing a project. This includes whether your project itself is sustainable (sustainability of the project) or whether your project is emulating a sustainable change (sustainability through the project).[1]

Ecological sustainability

The first association often made when talking about sustainability is sustainability in relation to the environment. If you want to understand the relationship between your project and the environment, it is of course good to think about your direct impact on the environment by asking critical questions. Think about: do people have to travel unnecessarily for this project? Does my project have a direct impact on a piece of nature or biodiversity? But indirect impact on the environment also contributes to a sustainable project. For example, MVO Nederland helps companies make their entire (production) chain transparent. In addition, circular economy is a topic to think about: where do your materials come from and can products be recycled at the end of their lifespan?

Economic sustainability

Something that is less likely to come to mind, but which is certainly a relevant aspect of sustainability, is economic sustainability. Projects are all about making changes that are not only financially viable, but also contribute to long-term economic growth and stability. Be aware of the impact of your project at all project stages and after project completion. It is also good to consider the stakeholders involved in the project. Be aware that you are not economically disadvantaging other stakeholders for your own gain. By striving for economic sustainability, project managers ensure that their projects not only create value for immediate stakeholders in the short term, but also have a positive impact on the wider economy and future generations.

Social sustainability

In the broad sense, social sustainability is about striving to improve people's quality of life, in current and future generations. If you want to link this to your project, you can, for instance, think about the products your project delivers: do they contribute to (affordable) amenities and do these amenities contribute to people's well-being? The social impact of your project can also reflect on the people involved in the project: does the project contribute to the development of your team? Are you using positive discrimination to provide fair opportunities for employees or the surrounding area? It is good to be aware of the social impact of a project and think about how you can show this to the environment and stakeholders, for example.

Long-term thinking

Sustainability is of course about meeting needs now, but also in the future. An important aspect of sustainable project management is thinking about how your project will continue to add value in the future. Here, be particularly alert to knowledge exchange; make sure there are processes in place that ensure knowledge can be transferred. Securing knowledge prevents something from suddenly losing its value when a knowledge holder retires. Finally, it is always valuable to clarify the sustainable objectives and long-term effects of a project in the project plan. This demonstrates to all stakeholders that this has been considered and prevents unpleasant surprises in the future.

CSRD

CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) as a new requirement is now a must for large companies. They are obliged to report on their human and climate impact. As a project manager, you can ensure that this topic is no longer seen as an obligation, but as an added value for an organisation. Of course, this is not so easy, because how can you use the insights from CSRD to improve your own organisation or project without being accused of greenwashing in the process? Implementing CSRD involves looking at potential sustainability opportunities and risks, metrics, targets and determining how this will be applied in the organisation. For project managers, implementing CSRD represents a shift towards greater transparency and accountability in how projects are planned, executed and reported. This CSRD information offers the chance to serve a dual purpose; namely, you can also present this information as sustainability indicators of your project.

SDGs as indicators

As a final indicator, we highlight the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) of the United Nations that deal with sustainable development; to make the world a better place. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers several aspects mentioned above, such as environmental, economic and social sustainability, but incorporated into a variety of topics. It is good to consider which SDGs your project actually touches upon. The SDGs are clear and easily understandable topics that you can use to make concrete to your stakeholders which sustainability aspects affect your project. Evaluate the project's impact on the SDGs regularly to monitor progress and adjust your project if necessary. And above all, share your experiences with others!

From theory to practice: what can you do yourself?

Thus, the term sustainability covers a broad scope and can be used for many aspects of sustainability. For many people, the Sustainable Development Goals are recognisable indicators of sustainability and can be used to specify an organisation's sustainability goals. Select a number of SDGs that fit your organisation's strategy and use them to compare and prioritise various projects within your portfolio.

So when writing the project proposal, think about working out the impact of your project on a number of specific aspects of sustainability. By communicating transparently about this with all stakeholders, you show that you are aware of the different aspects of sustainability and sound choices can be made!

Radiagram sustainability is part of the IMPROVEN toolbox. IMPROVEN offers a variety of tools, templates and methods to successfully set up and implement projects, programmes and portfolios.

Feel free to contact Emy van Oers (Emy.van.Oers@improven.nl) and Elbert Jochemsen (Elbert.Jochemsen@improven.nl) for more information!

[1] Huemann, M. and Silvius, A.J.G. (2017), Projects to create the future: Managing projects meets sustainable development, International Journal of Project Management, 35(6), 1066-1070.