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New Approach for Managing Sustainability in Projects

Author

Listed:
  • María Pilar de la Cruz López

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Escuela Politécnica Superior (EPS), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Campus de Esteiro, C/Mendizábal s/n, 15403 Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain)

  • Juan José Cartelle Barros

    (Departamento de Economía, Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Campus de Elviña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Alfredo del Caño Gochi

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Escuela Politécnica Superior (EPS), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Campus de Esteiro, C/Mendizábal s/n, 15403 Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain)

  • Manuel Lara Coira

    (Departamento de Ciencias de la Navegación e Ingeniería Marina, Escuela Politécnica Superior (EPS), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Campus de Esteiro, C/Mendizábal s/n, 15403 Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain)

Abstract

Despite the work done to date, project sustainability management (PSM) is still at an embryonic stage. The existing literature considers sustainability as a transversal aspect to be incorporated into the traditional management functions (scope, time, cost, quality, etc.). This article proposes sustainability as a key aspect of project management, with three essential components: principles, processes and competences. Regarding principles, the principle of sustainable development should be added to those generally suggested. As for processes, seven are proposed for (1) planning sustainability management; (2) establishing a sustainability breakdown structure; (3) defining the sustainability objective; (4) identifying project alternatives to achieve it; (5) planning and (6) implementing the sustainability strategy; and (7) monitoring and control. The main interrelationships between these processes and those of project initiation, planning, implementation, control, and closure are also analysed. In addition, the competences that the project manager should have in this field are identified, as well as the main criteria to take into account in order to adapt PSM processes to the characteristics of the project and the organisation. Finally, the results of a Delphi analysis carried out to validate these proposals are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • María Pilar de la Cruz López & Juan José Cartelle Barros & Alfredo del Caño Gochi & Manuel Lara Coira, 2021. "New Approach for Managing Sustainability in Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7037-:d:580307
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nasanjargal Erdenekhuu & Balázs Kocsi & Domicián Máté, 2022. "A Risk-Based Analysis Approach to Sustainable Construction by Environmental Impacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Bálint Blaskovics & Zalán Márk Maró & Gábor Klimkó & Viktória Papp-Horváth & Ágnes Csiszárik-Kocsir, 2023. "Differences between Public-Sector and Private-Sector Project Management Practices in Hungary from a Competency Point of View," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Guoli Feng & Shengyue Hao & Xiaoguang Li, 2022. "Project Sustainability and Public-Private Partnership: The Role of Government Relation Orientation and Project Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Oliver Laasch & Dirk C. Moosmayer & Elena P. Antonacopoulou, 2023. "The Interdisciplinary Responsible Management Competence Framework: An Integrative Review of Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability Competences," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(4), pages 733-757, November.

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