PGM 4811 Study Unit 5: Managing project execution and control

STUDY UNIT 5: MANAGING PROJECT EXECUTION AND CONTROL

Please note: This study guide should be read in conjunction with the module overview.

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………… 1
LEARNING OUTCOMES .................................................................................................. 1
KEY CONCEPTS............................................................................................................... 2
PRESCRIBED MATERIAL ................................................................................................ 2
Recommended material and additional resources ............................................................ 3
Activity 5.1 ....................................................................................................................... 3
Activity 5.2........................................................................................................................ 4
SUMMARY......................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION

As introduced in the module overview, this unit will take you through the issues related to
sustainability in project management and the reasons why it should be part of the project value
creation process. It will also help you understand the ways of integration of sustainability in
contemporary and future projects to create value at the triple bottom line.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This Study Unit deals with the following Specific Learning Outcome (SLO):
SLO: Interpret the concept of sustainable development and various ways in which it is used in
a project.

This Study Unit will guide you to critically evaluate the need for
application of sustainability principles in projects and its
implementation. It will also assist in understanding the ways
sustainability can be incorporated in the project phases.

After having studied this Study Unit you will be able to:

▪ Describe sustainability and the triple bottom line

▪ Display an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and the importance of incorporating sustainability in
project management phases
▪ Develop an understanding of African context, specifically
sustainability challenges and priorities
▪ Define and analyse the ways in which sustainability
considerations can be incorporated in project implementation and
control

Page 1 of 4 © UNISA Graduate School of Business

Leadership
 PGM 4811 Study Unit 5: Managing project execution and control

KEY CONCEPTS

▪ Sustainability and SDGs

▪ Sustainable Project Management (SPM)
▪ Significance of Sustainable Project Management (SPM)
▪ Sustainability integration in project value creation process

PRESCRIBED MATERIAL

▪ Module slides for Study Unit 5.

▪ Aarseth, W., Ahola, T., Aaltonen, K., Økland, A., & Andersen, B.
(2017). Project sustainability strategies: A systematic literature
review. International Journal of Project Management, 35(6), 1071-
1083.
▪ Brent, A., & Labuschagne, C. (2006). Social indicators for
sustainable project and technology life cycle management in the
process industry (13 pp+ 4). The International Journal of Life
Cycle Assessment, 11(1), 3-15.
▪ Fernández-Sánchez, G., & Rodríguez-López, F. (2010). A
methodology to identify sustainability indicators in construction
project management—Application to infrastructure projects in
Spain. Ecological Indicators, 10(6), 1193-1201
▪ Hueskes, M., Verhoest, K., & Block, T. (2017). Governing public–
private partnerships for sustainability: An analysis of procurement
and governance practices of PPP infrastructure
projects. International journal of project management, 35(6), 1184-
1195.
▪ Shen, L. Y., Tam, V. W., Tam, L., & Ji, Y. B. (2010). Project
feasibility study: the key to successful implementation of
sustainable and socially responsible construction management
practice. Journal of cleaner production, 18(3), 254-259.

Page 2 of 4 © UNISA Graduate School of Business

Leadership
 PGM 4811 Study Unit 5: Managing project execution and control

Recommended material and additional resources

Read

• Sabini, L., Muzio, D., & Alderman, N. (2019). 25 years of

‘sustainable projects’. What we know and what the literature
says. International Journal of Project Management, 37(6), 820-
838.
• https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-
development-goals/
• Brundtland report:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987o
ur-common-future.pdf

Watch

Sustainable project management: definition, importance and debates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neRO_nNtxUg

Environmental sustainability in project management

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIh_p0XQrMQ

From what has been covered in the preceding material, you understand what sustainability is,
why it is important to be integrated in the project value creation process and the ways it can
be done to create triple bottom line value. The subsequent Activities 5.1 and 5.2 will provide
you an opportunity to understand your own organisational projects and the environment they
operate in, in the light of sustainability and SDG knowledge base.

Activity 5.1

Based on what has been covered in Study Units 1–5 and after
reading the prescribed literature and the additional readings, as well
as watching the recommended YouTube clips, please answer the
following question:

▪ What are the main challenges in incorporating sustainability in

projects in your organisational context?

Page 3 of 4 © UNISA Graduate School of Business

Leadership
 PGM 4811 Study Unit 5: Managing project execution and control

REFLECTION

▪ Are you able to identify challenges like unawareness among

leadership and project managers about sustainability in
general and sustainable project indicators specifically, lack of
regulations, lack of clear measurements on all three
dimensions, lack of open communication culture practices
among project partners to name a few? List them in the order
of perceived criticality and analyse why it is so? Is it an
organisational level challenge (no conducive sustainable
project environment), is it a country level challenge or sector
or industry level or discipline level issues? Please explain.

▪ Describe the importance of a sustainable project conducive

environment in the African context.

Activity 5.2

After going through Study Units 1–5, the prescribed readings,

additional readings and videos recommended for your viewing,
identify one of the projects (preferably within your organisation),
reflect on its process and try to examine sustainability aspects
that are covered under its various phases.

REFLECTION

▪ Reflect which aspect most project organisations are focused

on and which aspects are most neglected.

▪ Following your findings, which triple bottom line aspects would

you like to recommend your organisation to focus on and why?
While recommending, do not forget the contextual realities and
priorities of African countries.

SUMMARY
This Study Unit was intended to familiarise you with the concepts of sustainability, sustainable
development and their importance in a project value creation process. It also aimed to develop
your understanding about the way sustainability can be incorporated in project implementation
phases. Furthermore, this Study Unit also makes an attempt to establish the importance of
being relevant to the context throughout the process of incorporation.

Page 4 of 4 © UNISA Graduate School of Business

Leadership