Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Aqeel, the short answer to your question is Yes. CSR and Sustainability can and should be counted as criteria for project success, especially in today's business, social, and environmental context.
In today’s evolving project landscape, success is no longer defined solely by meeting time, cost, and scope. CSR and Sustainability have become critical components of project success, reflecting a broader focus on environmental impact, social equity, and ethical governance. Projects that integrate these elements not only align with stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements but also contribute to long-term value, risk mitigation, and enhanced brand reputation.
It depends. I would say yes, provided it is included in your list of deliverables. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Aqeel Khan Excellent question — and one that is more relevant than ever in light of PMI’s recent publication, Maximizing Project Success (2025).
According to this report, project success is no longer defined by the traditional “iron triangle” of scope, time, and cost. Instead, success is redefined as delivering “value that was worth the effort and expense.”
This includes both tangible outcomes and intangible benefits such as sustainability, ethics, and social impact.
What’s particularly striking is that the report identifies sustainability and social impact as key predictors of project success — not peripheral concerns.
These elements are no longer “nice-to-haves”; they are now part of what makes a project truly valuable and successful in the eyes of stakeholders.
Here’s why CSR and sustainability should absolutely count toward project success:
- They contribute directly to long-term value. CSR and environmental goals are integral to delivering outcomes that endure beyond project closure — and align with strategic objectives.
- They are measurable.
The report emphasizes the need to include sustainability indicators as part of project performance tracking — just like any other success metric.
They reflect modern stakeholder expectations.
Ignoring CSR and sustainability undermines stakeholder trust and may result in reputational risk — even if traditional KPIs are met.
In summary: CSR and sustainability are not optional extras — they are success criteria. They belong in the business case, in the scope, in the benefits realization plan, and ultimately, in the final assessment of whether a project was truly “worth the effort and expense.”
Thank you for raising this timely and critical discussion.
It's exactly the kind of conversation we need to have if we want our profession to remain relevant and value-driven in today’s world.
Aqeel Khan Excellent question — and one that is more relevant than ever in light of PMI’s recent publication, Maximizing Project Success (2025).
According to this report, project success is no longer defined by the traditional “iron triangle” of scope, time, and cost. Instead, success is redefined as delivering “value that was worth the effort and expense.”
This includes both tangible outcomes and intangible benefits such as sustainability, ethics, and social impact.
What’s particularly striking is that the report identifies sustainability and social impact as key predictors of project success — not peripheral concerns.
These elements are no longer “nice-to-haves”; they are now part of what makes a project truly valuable and successful in the eyes of stakeholders.
Here’s why CSR and sustainability should absolutely count toward project success:
- They contribute directly to long-term value. CSR and environmental goals are integral to delivering outcomes that endure beyond project closure — and align with strategic objectives.
- They are measurable.
The report emphasizes the need to include sustainability indicators as part of project performance tracking — just like any other success metric.
They reflect modern stakeholder expectations.
Ignoring CSR and sustainability undermines stakeholder trust and may result in reputational risk — even if traditional KPIs are met.
In summary: CSR and sustainability are not optional extras — they are success criteria. They belong in the business case, in the scope, in the benefits realization plan, and ultimately, in the final assessment of whether a project was truly “worth the effort and expense.”
Thank you for raising this timely and critical discussion.
It's exactly the kind of conversation we need to have if we want our profession to remain relevant and value-driven in today’s world.
Thank you for such valuable insight. Saving Changes...
Aqeel, the short answer to your question is Yes. CSR and Sustainability can and should be counted as criteria for project success, especially in today's business, social, and environmental context.
In today’s evolving project landscape, success is no longer defined solely by meeting time, cost, and scope. CSR and Sustainability have become critical components of project success, reflecting a broader focus on environmental impact, social equity, and ethical governance. Projects that integrate these elements not only align with stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements but also contribute to long-term value, risk mitigation, and enhanced brand reputation.
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