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Environmental Consciousness For Project And Program Managers

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Published: 20Dec2008
Word count: 457
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For many years, the debate over global warming and environmental consciousness has raged. This debate has become deeply embedded into the political consciousness, in most places around the world. This debate will surely continue for a long time to come, and it will be a long time before any claims are proven to be indisputably accurate. However, when the rhetoric and debate is all cleared away, what is it that Project Managers and Program Managers can do now to incorporate environmental consciousness into our projects and programs? How can every day projects and programs "go green"?

Project and program managers are all responsible for "delivering the goods" — for delivering the products of their projects and programs on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. For programs, "delivering the goods" also entails the broader aspects of delivering on certain strategic goals within their organization. So, where does environmental consciousness fit into this scheme of "delivering the goods" for their projects and programs?

Here are a few things that can be readily incorporated into the thinking and actions of project and program managers, and how environmental consciousness can be incorporated into any project or program - easily and inexpensively - no matter how the political debate on the environment turns out.

1. Establish best practices for recycling. It is usually quite easy to appoint someone at each location to take on this small but significant responsibility.

2. Consider the environment in all decisions. In checklists and meetings, discussions and briefs, papers and documentation, it is not much more effort to include environmental considerations.

3. Practice good conservation of heat and waste management, just as everyone would or should in our homes. This can be facilitated by appointing one team member at each location to take responsibility.

4. Incorporate environmental considerations into any product design. Often, changes for the better can be made simply because someone asked the question. Making this a standard item for consideration can have a definite impact on achieving "green design".

5. Consider the end game on the product of the projects, such as "Will something need to be thrown away?" Doing a little brainstorming about this, perhaps at the same time other considerations are being discussed, can add a little "green consciousness" to everyone's awareness.

The important thing on projects and programs continues to be to achieve the results intended and documented in the charter. However, it is notable that it is just as easy, if not easier, to execute on these responsibilities and still at all times maintain the highest level of accountability related to the environment. In so doing, project and program managers can leave the political debate to others, but be good "earth citizens" and make a collective contribution to environmental preservation.

John Reiling, PMP, PE, MBA is an experienced Project Manager and certified Project Management Professional. John's web site, Project Management Training Online provides online project management training for beginning managers and for PMP exam prep and PDUs. John also writes regularly in his blog, PMcrunch.com .

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