Sustainable Project Management Practices

This assignment delves into the crucial role of sustainability in project management. It examines how to implement strategies that minimize environmental impact through energy-saving practices and reduced carbon emissions. The analysis highlights the importance of technology integration and innovative planning for achieving social, economic, and environmental sustainability in projects.

Integrate sustainability in
ICT planning and design
projects

TABLE OF CONTENTS
introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Integrating sustainability in the software application project......................................................1
Negotiate with the stakeholders...................................................................................................1
Suitable technology solutions applicable to the project..............................................................1
Implementation of short term technology solutions....................................................................2
Change management....................................................................................................................2
Key performance indicators (KPI)...............................................................................................2
Innovative plan............................................................................................................................2
Potential energy savings and payback periods............................................................................3
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.................................................................................................3
Evaluation of the estimated CO2 emissions with comparable benchmarks................................3
Recommendations........................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
References........................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
At present project manager focuses on integrating sustainability in the phase of planning
and designing because it plays important role in reducing carbon emission and total project cost.
The current research study is based on development of a software application project for UFG
Global Corporation (Andersen, Dysvik and Vaagaasar, 2009). This project will be completed by
ABC IT consultancy which follows sustainability concepts and policies into ICT planning and
design projects. The current study will comprise different planning strategies for incorporating
sustainability into this project. Further, it will also shed light on energy audit data and way to
reduce carbon emission.
Integrating sustainability in the software application project
There are three specific spheres of sustainability which needs to be considered by project
manager at the time of integrating sustainability in software application project. These include
environmental, social and economic spheres. Effective utilization of natural resources such as
air, water, land and waste will help in maintaining environmental sustainability (Purvis and
Grainger, 2013). Social sphere focuses on providing appropriate opportunity of job, standard of
living, community and equal opportunity. Including this, economic sustainability can be
integrated by maintaining profit, cost saving, economic growth and research and development.
Therefore, all these activities will help in integrating sustainability in software application
project.
Negotiate with the stakeholders
Major stakeholders of this project include competitors, customers, employees, investors,
government and society. Project manager will use internet and digital methods of communication
for negotiating with stakeholders. It will help in determining their needs, requirements and
interest which will play important role in improving social sustainability of the project
(Sustainability in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Projects, 2009).
Suitable technology solutions applicable to the project
There are number of technological solutions which can be used by project manager for
integrating sustainability in software application project of UFG Global Corporation. These
include data storage, firewall, multiplexer, printer, router, server, switch, telephone system and
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workstation. These technological equipment will help in improving communication, increasing
speed of project progress and achieving all project deliverables in effective manner (Hess, 2013).
Implementation of short term technology solutions
Reducing the electronic consumption is one of the major objective to maintain
sustainability in software application project. There are number of energy efficient hardware
such as integration of hard drive, LCD monitor and work station will help in saving energy.
Along with this, use of multifunctional device, remote energy management system, and
videoconference technology can help in reducing the consumption of power. Including this,
project manager can also replace the computer system with thin clients and virtualization of
server will also improve the electricity consumption process. Therefore, all the above suggested
short term technology solution will help in reducing energy consumption (Baker, 2006).
Change management
For reducing the environmental impact project manager can change different strategies
such as waste management process. Along with this, reduction in the use of air conditioner will
help in energy saving. Along with this, changes in supply chain and procurement management
strategies will help in reducing the negative impact on environment. For instance, project
manager can influence the existing suppliers to make availability of energy efficient products
and services for improving supply chain management (Hobbs, 2009). Further, changes in
environmental policies and procedures will also help in improving procurement management in
the software application project.
Key performance indicators (KPI)
Key performance indicator of software application project will include emission of
Carbon, percentage of timber used, optimum utilization of resources and appropriate
communication between different branches of UFG Global Corporation. Review of all these key
performance indicators will help in managing the overall performance of project.
Innovative plan
Development of appropriate innovative plan will help in incorporating and designing
rules for the project which foster sustainability and environmental best practice. This plan
includes different steps such as research on organization and institute which will help in
determining needs and requirements for software application project (Darren, 2012). Along with
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this, it will also help in implementing sustainability and technology to achieve goals and
objectives in effective manner. In addition, project manager needs to make appropriate
communication with venders and suppliers of products about local standards and costs.
Potential energy savings and payback periods
As per the estimation changes in innovative plan will help in saving 50% energy
consumption. Along with this, software application project will require huge investment so,
through the return on investment this investment amount can get in coming three years. So,
estimated payback period for this project is 3 years. It has reflected that software application
project will help in maintaining sustainability in project planning and designing (Hess, 2013).
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
Time power device is also one of the major technical solution which can create own
electricity and stay of grid completely. It will play important role in reducing carbon emission by
close to 100%.
Evaluation of the estimated CO2 emissions with comparable benchmarks
There are some specific benchmarks for CO2 emission such as Account Ability AA1000
Assurance Standard (2008), BSI Benchmark, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Dow Jones
Sustainability Index (DJSI) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines
(telecommunications) (Baker, 2006). Comparison with these benchmark has reflected that
software application project and suggested technical solution will help in achieving the all
standards in effective manner.
Recommendations
In order of priority basis project manager needs to focus on team management and use of
short term technical solution for software application project. It will help in energy saving and
reducing carbon emission. Along with this, project manager should follow innovative plan
because it will help maintaining social, environmental and economic sustainability in this project
(Darren, 2012).
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CONCLUSION
The current research project has concluded that appropriate technology and strategies
needs to be implemented by project manager for maintaining sustainability during project
planning and designing.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Andersen, S. E., Dysvik, A. and Vaagaasar, L. A., 2009. Organizational rationality and project
management. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. 2(4). pp.479 –
498.
Baker, S., 2006. Sustainable Development. Routledge.
Darren, D., 2012. The nature of project management: A reflection on The Anatomy of Major
Projects by Morris and Hough. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
5(4). Pp. 643 - 660.
Hess, N. P., 2013. Economic Growth and Sustainable Development. Routledge.
Hobbs, P., 2009. Project Management. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
Purvis, M. and Grainger, A., 2013. Exploring Sustainable Development: Geographical
Perspectives. Earthscan.
Online
Sustainability in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Projects. 2009. [pdf].
Available through: <http://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1100&context=ciima>. [Accessed on 18th November 2016].
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