Global warming and environmental consciousness is a worldwide concern that encompasses all industries — project management included. With the ongoing debate over balancing technological success with environmental health, project and program managers are called to take action. The question, however, is how. How can project managers 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 – regardless how the discussions on the issue end up.
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. Major changes often spring from one very simple 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.
Project and program managers’ ultimate goal is to achieve the results intended and to make sure they are documented correctly. 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.
By: John Reiling
Non-profit groups come in quite a few stripes. Take, for example, environmental advocacy. It encompasses both safeguarding the public from environmental threats and securing our natural resources.
As with all advocacy groups, there is an increasing recognition that future success will be tied to improving use technology and best practices.
Managing a firm focused on environmental issues can be extremely challenging. Persistent lack of resource means that many organizations rely on part-time or volunteer team members. Yet, there are a number of best practices and tools that can help such organizations address these challenges.
1. Increase collaboration
California alone has hundreds if not thousands of environmental advocacy groups. And in the last several years, there has been increasing levels of collaboration between environmental advocacy groups across states.
One driver of this pattern may be lower cost airfares, a trend that is now intensifying as fuel costs continue to drop. Another driver is the expansion of communications resources.
This trend can clearly be seen in the growing adoption of conference calling services that provide teleconferencing solutions to such organizations. Many such conferencing services are now offer free conference calling which has further increased the feasibility of collaboration without expensive travel required.
2. Use networking tools
The most successfully managed advocacy groups generate networks of supporters. These networks can take years to build. Whereas the conference calling tools described above are facilitating teleconferencing and collaboration, the new networking tools are facilitating an ongoing sense of feeling connected. Web based resources for networking have now become ubiquitous.
The trick is realizing that online networking is about more than creating a profile. It is about using the whole range of tools including automated updates, blogs, bulletin boards, and photo sharing. These networking tools also help members share the emotional support which is so crucial to sustaining enthusiasm.
3. Remain focused
The best managed environmental groups are ones that stay clearly focused on their mission and do not allow themselves to become distracted. Many environmental advocacy groups are resource constrained. For that reason, committing to five goals with total effort will generally yield superior results compared to tackling ten goals, with one tenth the effort for each goal.
4. Use Desktop Sharing
Some advocacy groups have far flung leadership teams, and it is difficult to have face-to-face meetings. Conferencing can only achieve so much. People often say they want the visual connection. Video conferencing has still not yet seen wide adoption but video conferencing is not the only way to generate a visual connection. Another solution is to use a desktop sharing system
Whether it’s broadcasting a PowerPoint document showing the group’s development efforts or a spreadsheet showing volunteer recruitment stats, desktop sharing can effectively bridge the gap of time and space.
5. Leveraging academic resources
Some people believe that academia is too far removed from environmental politics to be useful. However, many campus programs now offer training in environmental stewardship, policy or advocacy. Such programs are building blocks in the preparation of future leaders and grassroots organizers.
Students who are enrolled in these courses are good candidates to volunteer or lead efforts for your organization. Another effective approach is involving faculty or staff members who can provide perspective and advice. Students come and go but faculty generally remain.
The ideas are not expensive to carry out. Whether its better use of networking tools, free conference calling systems or desktop sharing, the cost of these resources is generally minimal in comparison with the expected benefit.
By: Andy Denis
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