If you think sustainability is just about recycling your coffee cups, then think again. To stay competitive in a modernising workplace, you need to understand the implications of adhering to sustainable policy.
The big challenge we face is incorporating sustainable practices in all aspects of our lives, including work and project management. At Execview, we understand the role projects play in creating sustainable business practices. We believe our software aids your projects to improve the levels of sustainability.
Why Sustainable?
Project managers do already practice sustainability. To be an effective PM you must manage a budget, handle resources, and adhere to a strict time scale. This fits in well with practising fiscal and environmental sustainability. But also consider the need for social sustainability; think about how your project impacts relevant stakeholders, your employees, the consumer, and the wider community. Sustainable project management is not just about recycling, it also encompasses the practice of taking responsibility for ensuring fair trade and fair labour, investing in individual’s development, and ensuring there is equal opportunity.
So why is this important?
Well, sustainable practices are mutually beneficial for both a company and the society it operates in. Society requires companies to provide employment and build social infrastructure. While the companies in turn require a successfully performing workforce who can perform their role well. This demonstrates the need for decisions to have a common benefit, therefore companies have a responsibility to consider not just their own performance concerning a business decision, but also the impact on stakeholders and wider society. The benefits however are all-encompassing, as the end goal is continuous mutual growth.
Embracing sustainability now will get you ahead of the curve. A recent study found 93% of corporate CEO’s identified sustainability as a critical aspect of their future success. Also, integrating sustainability into your project is simply effective risk management. The aim is to bridge the gap between current laws and legislations, and good business practice, e.g., promoting honesty and transparency. By acting ahead now, ahead of future changes to law or legislation, you will be well placed to not only realise the benefits of transformation but will also enjoy a shifting cultural change to reflect new practices.
Sustainable project management using Execview
Listed below are some key areas of project management that can incorporate sustainable practice, and how Execview aids this:
Human Resources
Do individuals have everything they need to succeed? Building a sustainable work environment involves addressing practices that support individual employees. However, assessing the needs of everyone is a large undertaking that often results in some needs being left behind. Execview allows you to micro-manage operations within your business and ensure everyone is being invested in and their experience fits within your sustainable philosophy. How is their work-life balance? Are they getting the right training?
Resource and procurement management
Ensuring resources and services are delivered sustainably across the supply chain is a challenge for project managers. If you are subscribing to a long-term view of sustainability for your business, you must be mindful to avoid unsustainable resource and service suppliers. Execview offers tracking of resource and service suppliers both internal, external, or outsourced, allowing for transparency across the chain and the ability to identify unsustainable practices. Our platform is also entirely electronic, eliminating the need for physical resources. Additionally, our software allows you to manage your resources ensuring waste is minimised.
Risk Management
The risk assessment of sustainable practice is all about being able to predict the direction of society’s expectations, do you appear to be avoiding bad practice or driving good practice? Execview’s risk assessment tool ensures potential risks are flagged early to allow managers to make decisions ahead of time. Evaluating, assessing, and tracking risk enables project managers to commit to the responsibility of sustainable practice, that is asking whether their practice is ‘right’ in meeting the needs of the future. Impacts of environmental or social challenges can have severe impacts on a project or the wider reputation of the company at large. Execview’s software offers effective risk management, allowing you to assess the risk of your project’s sustainability.
Communications Management
Sustainable practice must be effectively communicated, everyone involved must be asking how we are meeting the demands of today while also considering the needs of tomorrow. Execview’s platform allows for easy collaboration across your company, ensuring your message of sustainability remains consistent and aligned. Our powerful reporting software will ensure all involved parties can clearly identify the progress of your projects and aims.
