Understanding sustainability and regeneration in project management: a call to action

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, sustainability is more than just a buzzword — it's a crucial aspect of project management that can no longer be ignored. APM has initiated an Interest Network on Sustainability (“Sus IN”), and we invite you to join us on this journey.

The sustainability imperative

Sustainability and regeneration (usually used together) in project management involve balancing environmental, social and economic considerations throughout the project lifecycle. We need to ensure that our projects not only meet current needs but also safeguard resources for future generations.

• Sustainability means not making things worse
• Regeneration means making things better – and putting right the wrongs of past generations.

As project professionals, we have a unique opportunity — and responsibility — to drive sustainable practices in our organisations and industries, and to emphasise the value of sustainable and regenerative outcomes. Everyone can get involved. Whether you're an early career project manager just starting out, a seasoned professional leading complex projects, or a board member shaping organisational strategy, your role in promoting sustainability is crucial.

The role of the APM Sustainability Interest Network

The APM recognises the importance of sustainability in our field. That's why we've established the APM Sustainability Interest Network — a community of like-minded professionals committed to integrating sustainable practices into project management.

This network is a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing challenges and collaborating on solutions. It's a space where you can learn from peers, access valuable resources and contribute to the evolving body of knowledge on sustainable project management.

Engaging with the community: we need your input!

To truly understand the landscape of sustainability in project management, we need to hear from you. Your experiences, challenges and successes are invaluable in shaping our collective approach to sustainable project management. We invite you to participate in our community by answering the following questions on Mentimeter:

1. Sustainability drivers: when you implement sustainability in your projects, what are the primary drivers? Are they:

• Internal to the project (e.g., the project leadership team's initiative)
• External to the project (e.g., organisational sustainability reporting requirements)
• Client-driven (e.g., the project's primary goal is to deliver sustainability or regeneration)

2. Tools and methodologies: what tools or methodologies do you use to incorporate sustainability into your projects? This could include sustainability assessment frameworks, life cycle analysis tools, or specific project management methodologies adapted for sustainability.
3. Barriers to implementation: what challenges do you face when trying to deliver sustainability and regeneration in your projects? These might include budget onstraints, lack of stakeholder buy-in, or difficulties in measuring impact.
4. Success stories: can you share a brief success story of a project where sustainability or regeneration played a key role? We'd love to hear about the project's goals, the strategies you employed and the outcomes achieved.

Your responses to these questions will not only help us understand the current state of sustainable project management, but also inform future discussions, resources and initiatives within the APM Sustainability Interest Network. A future blog will include some of the results.

 

You may also be interested in:

• What is sustainability in project management?
• APM Sustainability Interest Network
• What are sustainable projects and sustainable outcomes?