Incorporating Sustainability Into a PMO’s Culture

Tasheka Dorsey-Wilson is a Senior Project Manager in Darrow, Louisiana.

  PMO   Sustainability  

When I initiated the first discussion with my PMO about sustainability, I received mixed reactions. They ranged from, “Ugh, something else for me to do? I’m already too busy…” to “Why is this even important?” to “I’m relieved to hear this topic finally being discussed.”

I was not surprised by the candid responses my team provided. In fact, I encourage candid but respectful dialogue in our team meetings. During this discussion, I learned that incorporating sustainability into our PMO would require a mindset shift.

Sustainability in project management can be defined as “the strategic integration of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity throughout the project lifecycle.” Sustainability is not only about how the work gets done, but also how the work continues after a project is delivered. It is a strategic, long-term vision that integrates people, planet, prosperity and purpose.

PMI research found that 55% of projects that prioritize sustainability goals and values deliver on customer satisfaction, compared to 33% of projects that do not. Projects that include sustainability key performance indicators are also two-and-a-half times more likely to be successful. Aligning projects with sustainability and social impact not only enhances customer satisfaction, but also …

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