CAN RISK MANAGEMENT BE USED AS A METHOD TO INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1 Introduction
In the initial response to the discussion question in week 1 it was stated that, the significant population growth across the globe means that there is an increase in demand for providing infrastructure to address the basic needs of humans. This increase in demand, if not managed and planned carefully, has adverse impact on our environment and its ability to sustain human life. (Akef, 2013)
Based on the above, the importance of incorporation of sustainability issues in all stages of projects from planning to design and construction was highlighted. (Akef, 2013)
The following sections discuss if sustainability issues can be incorporated within the project management framework and procedures in particular risk management.
2 Project management and PMBOK® areas of knowledge
In order to select the appropriate way to incorporate sustainability within the project management framework, we must first understand what project management is. We also must gain an understanding of its procedures and methods for implementation of the projects.
Project management is “the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations from a project.” (IEEE, 1999, p 6)
According to Project Management Body of Knowledge or PMBOK® Project Management is broken down to different knowledge areas. The ten PMBOK areas of knowledge are described as (PMI, 2013):
1. Project Integration Management
2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Time Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Human Resource Management
7. Project Communications Management
8. Project Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management
10. Project Stakeholders Management
Each of the above mentioned knowledge areas provide methods and procedures for delivery of the project and to ensure that the project meets its objectives.
3 How sustainability can be incorporated into project
In the initial response to the discussion question in week 1 it was stated that, the significant population growth across the globe means that there is an increase in demand for providing infrastructure to address the basic needs of humans. This increase in demand, if not managed and planned carefully, has adverse impact on our environment and its ability to sustain human life. (Akef, 2013)
Based on the above, the importance of incorporation of sustainability issues in all stages of projects from planning to design and construction was highlighted. (Akef, 2013)
The following sections discuss if sustainability issues can be incorporated within the project management framework and procedures in particular risk management.
2 Project management and PMBOK® areas of knowledge
In order to select the appropriate way to incorporate sustainability within the project management framework, we must first understand what project management is. We also must gain an understanding of its procedures and methods for implementation of the projects.
Project management is “the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations from a project.” (IEEE, 1999, p 6)
According to Project Management Body of Knowledge or PMBOK® Project Management is broken down to different knowledge areas. The ten PMBOK areas of knowledge are described as (PMI, 2013):
1. Project Integration Management
2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Time Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Human Resource Management
7. Project Communications Management
8. Project Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management
10. Project Stakeholders Management
Each of the above mentioned knowledge areas provide methods and procedures for delivery of the project and to ensure that the project meets its objectives.
3 How sustainability can be incorporated into project
References: [1] Akef, S. (2013) Week 1DQ - Participating in a global classroom!, Discussion Question (MA), KMGT-680 Intro to Project Management.201420-21, Week 1, University of Liverpool in partnership with Laureate Education. [2] IEEE (1999) IEEE Guide - Adoption Of PMI Standard - A Guide To The Project Management Body Of Knowledge. 4th Ed. University of Liverpool Catalogue. EBSCOhost [Online]. Available at: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.ezproxy.liv.ac.uk/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=769888 (Accessed: 13 October 2013). [3] PMI (2013), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. 5th Ed. Project Management Institute. [4] Silvius, A.J.G and Van den Brink, J (No Date), Taking Responsibility: The integration of Sustainability and Project Management [online]. Available at: http://www.carpenetwork.org/~/media/HU-PORTAL/Docs/Carpe/Sustainability/A.J.%20Gilbert%20Silvius%20Book%20Presentation.pdf (Accessed: 13 October 2013) [5] MacAskill, K. and Guthrie, P. (2013) 'Risk-based approaches to sustainability in civil engineering ', Engineering Sustainability, 166, 4, pp. 181-190, [Online]. Available at: http://www.icevirtuallibrary.com.ezproxy.liv.ac.uk/content/article/10.1680/ensu.12.00001 (Accessed: 13 October 2013).