In an increasingly complex and challenging world, how can we ensure that our projects not only generate profit, but also contribute to a sustainable future? The answer may lie at the intersection of project management, sustainability and innovation. In this article, I want to explore ways to create purposeful projects that go beyond financial results and leave a positive legacy for generations to come.
Before I go any further, I feel it’s important to make a small disclaimer: although I’ve been working in this area of sustainability for around 20 years, my parents still don’t really understand what I do. Either I don’t explain myself very well, which is a strong possibility, or the area I’ve chosen really isn’t easy to explain, let alone understand. It could also be because the subject really isn’t linear and cuts across several areas, making it difficult to lock it into a neat little box.
So what keeps me going on this journey? Despite the challenges (and my parents’ occasional confusions – I wish it was just them!), what really inspires me are my children, the generation that follows me. For them, the concepts of sustainability and their importance are obvious, and the role of innovation in this journey is a given. This doesn’t mean that they can explain exactly what I do (confirming the theory that I’m the one who doesn’t explain myself well), but they understand that including sustainable concepts in our daily lives is necessary.
It’s already part of their lexicon and, consequently, their actions and life choices. For the generation that follows us, this concept is not just a buzzword, but the key to a better future. In your day-to-day life, milk can also be made from oats, almonds, rice or coconut. Protein doesn’t just come from meat and plastic bags don’t make sense – the shopping bag in your rucksack is a constant. Shampoo comes in bars or is bought in refills, plastic and glass are recycled and, when buying various products, knowing if the packaging is recyclable and if the brand is on the list of brands with production centres in countries without child protection legislation comes before comparing the price.
That’s why I will continue to welcome any opportunity to talk about including these principles in our project management practices. We have a responsibility to leave those who follow us a world that, if not perfect, is at least a little better than the one we inherited. And to teach them to fight for it and demand it.
Innovation, sustainability and project management may seem like separate fields, but when combined they have the potential to create a lasting and positive impact
We live in a world that is changing at a faster pace than ever before. From the growing impacts of climate change, the speed at which the number of inhabitants on the planet is multiplying, everyone needing to eat and fulfil other consumer needs, to the rapid pace of technological innovation, we face unprecedented challenges and opportunities.
What if I told you that the solutions to these challenges could lie in the way we approach project management? By integrating sustainability and innovation into our project management practices, and I would even go further and say project and product design, we can create a more resilient and prosperous future for ourselves and our planet.
Innovation, sustainability and project management may seem like separate fields, but when combined they have the potential to create a lasting and positive impact. By incorporating these principles into every stage of the project management process, we can create a more sustainable future.
I leave you with two commandments that guide me on this path to sustainability:
1. Being responsible or sustainable is directly related to how you make your money, not how you spend it. I don’t get much satisfaction from knowing that a brand donates part of its profits to actions to promote culture, sport or even humanitarian actions if, in order to achieve these results, ethical limits are crossed, human rights are not respected or serious environmental impacts are caused.
2. The importance of analysing the project’s value chain and life cycle. Once again, understanding, for example, where the raw materials come from and how they are collected or exploited, and understanding how the product we are designing is disposed of and its associated impact, is essential in this logic of integrating sustainability into the project management cycle.
A sustainable project goes beyond generating profit; it creates social and environmental value. It is a project that considers the entire life cycle, from the acquisition of raw materials to the disposal of the product. It’s a project that respects human rights, local communities and the environment.
But how can we make our projects more sustainable? Innovation is the key. By adopting new technologies and methodologies, we can optimise processes, reduce costs and create more efficient solutions. For example, the use of recycled materials, renewable energy and the circular economy are some of the practices that can be implemented in projects.
The benefits of sustainability go beyond the environmental impact. Companies that prioritise sustainability tend to be more attractive to talent, investors and clients. In addition, reducing costs and optimising processes can generate a significant financial return.
Incorporating sustainability into project management is now a must
Finally, if you take anything practical away from this reflection, apart from the fact that it may take a few more years for your parents and more distracted friends to understand what working with sustainability is all about, let it be this:
- Sustainability is more than philanthropy: it’s about integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of the business, from sourcing raw materials to managing people.
- The life cycle of a project is fundamental: You need to analyse every stage of the project to identify and mitigate environmental and social impacts.
In short, managing sustainable projects is a journey that requires commitment, innovation and collaboration. By integrating sustainability into our project cycles, we are contributing to a better future for everyone.
I’ll end with a quote from Socrates: ‘If the dishonest knew the advantages of honesty, he would be honest even if only out of dishonesty.’ That’s a topic for a future article.
Are you ready to make a difference? I’ll keep insisting.
