Sustainability: Redefining Success in Project Management
Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D.
Global Leader in Project Management | Pioneer in AI Applied to Projects | Founder of PMOtto.ai and Macrosolutions | Board Member (IBGC - CCA) | IPMA-A | PMI Past Chairman | PMI Fellow | Author | Venture Capitalist
Sustainability: Redefining Success in Project Management
In This Issue
Sustainable Value in Project Management
I would like to start this newsletter with a simple yet profound question: What does it mean to deliver value?
We often talk about completing projects on time and within budget, but I believe there’s much more at stake.
This brings me to an existential aspect of what we do. What we, as project managers, can contribute to society beyond the traditional metrics of success.
We should be asking ourselves, “Now what?” What follows the successful delivery of a project? Are we truly making a positive impact?
From a young age, I have been passionate about transforming ideas into reality.
I’ve always been more interested in making toys than playing with them. For me, the act of creating is the real fun — that's where I find the true value in any project.
Fortunately, I’ve been able to turn this passion into a profession.
What fascinates me most about project management is its unique ability to address a diverse range of topics that can produce a sustainable impact in our organizations and also in our society.
However, the notion of what a sustainable impact is has become increasingly challenging to understand.
Is completing a project on time and within budget enough if it ultimately harms society? For example, developing a new game or creating social media platforms that foster addiction and isolate people from each other is hardly a sustainable outcome.
We must look beyond merely completing tasks to understand the broader implications of our work.
It’s not just about “doing things right,” but “doing the right things right.”
And this goes for every project, including the ever-challenging AI landscape. Recent insights from McKinsey emphasize the role of AI in promoting sustainable business practices.
In the report, McKinsey's AI division, QuantumBlack, collaborated with the One Ocean Foundation to analyze sustainability reports from approximately 2,500 companies across 17 sectors, representing over 70% of global market capitalization. Utilizing generative AI, they processed around 300,000 pages of data to assess corporate actions supporting ocean sustainability. This approach not only automated the analysis, reducing production time by about 90% but also uncovered previously unknown initiatives, such as the adoption of eco-design principles in industries beyond textiles, including food sectors.
A common mistake is to think that project success is only about the final result.
Just because a project yields a desirable output doesn’t mean it was executed correctly.
Output may not generate the outcomes we want. A bridge can be built impeccably, but if nobody uses it, it is just a waste of money, time, and energy.
Life is often random, and sometimes luck plays a large role. Becoming rich by winning the lottery doesn’t signify mastery of skills but rather a mere chance occurrence.
This makes me reflect on my recent experiences, particularly one that is very special to me: the release of my new workshop called Sustainability Pulse in Angola, attended by four thousand eager professionals.
This event reinforced my belief in the need for projects to focus not only on immediate results but also on their long-term societal impacts.
In line with this, I launched a new free sustainability course in partnership with LinkedIn Learning, reinforcing the concept that it is not only about being “green.” Sustainability goes above and beyond that. You can learn more about it here.
When we speak of sustainability, we must go beyond environmental considerations.
Sustainability involves creating products that generate positive results for society, the economy, and the environment.
This perspective is echoed in PMI’s recent advocacy for a new era of project success, which highlights that successful project management must encompass value delivery that benefits all stakeholders.
By integrating these principles into our projects, we position ourselves to make meaningful contributions to our communities and foster thriving environments rather than merely existing.
Now, let’s discuss a critical question: Can we overlook the negative societal impacts just because they align with our project charters?
This is an easy question to answer, at least on paper. But in reality, it is brutally hard. At the end of the day, we need to pay our bills, move on with our jobs, etc.
How can we balance these challenges and act in a responsible way to elevate our profession and our impact on society?
I remember back in 2008 when I led the strategic planning of PMI as a board member. One of our critical tasks was to redefine the term “project.”
We recognized that projects encompass far more than simple tasks; they involve the disciplines of projects, programs, and portfolios, as well as the intrinsic value to all stakeholders associated with them.
This was officially embraced by PMI at the end of 2008, 16 years ago, and marked a significant shift towards recognizing the value in project management above simply budget and schedule.
We must understand that value cannot be limited to financial gain. Of course, financial sustainability is crucial - no question about it. However, we must also ask ourselves how we create positive societal impacts.
Are we creating something that our kids and future generations will be proud of?
For example, consider a school with no students, a hospital that does not have a single patient, and software aiming to connect people and improve their bonds and friendships that become a platform for hate and bullying.
Such projects fail to deliver value, regardless of their construction quality and the profits they can generate for those who own them. They damage society, destroy the environment, and are not economically sustainable.
This is exactly what happened with the Soda Bridge in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany, built in the 1970s. If you see the photo at the start of this newsletter, you will realize that the bridge connects nothing to nowhere.
It serves as a strong reminder that project success cannot be measured solely by adherence to timelines and budgets; we must also consider how meaningful the impact of our work is.
Even well-executed projects can fail to connect with their intended audience if they lack a clear purpose.
This principle resonates with the discussions around sustainable project management and the need for projects to contribute positively to society.
One other illustrative case is the unquestionable failure of Disney’s Star Wars hotel. One of the best videos I watched about this topic was Jenny Nicholson’s 4-hour video review, which reached 10 million views on YouTube.
Despite being a highly anticipated project, it became one of the company's significant failures, demonstrating a lack of value delivery despite the brand's rich legacy.
A thorough review of the hotel highlighted its shortcomings in meeting the expectations of fans and visitors alike. This serves as a reminder that even well-resourced projects can derail easily if they lack a clear purpose and fail to connect meaningfully with their audience.
On the economic side, I will never forget Kate Raworth’s TED Talk, which I had the chance to watch live at TED2018. In the talk, she encourages us to rethink our economic models and project goals to foster well-being rather than merely pursuing growth. Her insights remind us that the ultimate aim of any project should be to enhance the quality of life of individuals and communities.
It encourages us to think critically about our contributions to society and the economy, pushing us to create projects that are genuinely beneficial.
As we navigate the complexities of project management, I encourage you to reflect on the projects you are involved in.
Are they contributing positively to society, or are they merely extracting value without giving back?
This consideration is paramount in our current climate, where societal, economic, and environmental challenges abound.
One of my personal guiding principles that I often share with my daughters is the idea of being “net positive.”
When assessing our impact on the world, we should ask ourselves whether our existence generates more good than harm.
Did my actions and projects lead to a net gain for society in general, or did they merely extract resources without producing anything sustainable down the road?
Let’s work to ensure that our projects not only meet deadlines and budgets but also enhance the world we live in.
Let’s stop building bridges that lead to nowhere.
What Has Been on My Radar Recently??
How ChatGPTo1 Revolutionizes Problem-Solving in Project Management
I wanted to share with you my new YouTube video: "Using ChatGPTo1 to Solve a Challenging Project Assignment".
In this video, I show how ChatGPTo1’s advanced "thinking" abilities can tackle a complex project problem in real-time.
First, I posted a challenge,?and I was surprised to see that?not a single person had answered it correctly in the comments within 2 hours, despite 4,460 views!
It could be due to time constraints, but I also believe this illustrates the game-changing power of AI.
In the video, ChatGPTo1 solved the problem correctly in 126 seconds, showing how AI can enhance our problem-solving processes and revolutionize project management.
I invite you to watch the video and see this transformation firsthand.
A big thank you to my video team, who did an incredible job making this project happen.
If you’re enjoying the content, I’d be grateful if you considered subscribing to my channel here – it helps us continue creating meaningful content for everyone!
领英推荐
Africa’s Largest Sustainable Infrastructure Project in Nairobi
As you probably heard, Nairobi is set to launch Africa's first zero-carbon city, a pioneering project aimed at establishing a sustainable urban environment powered entirely by renewable energy.
This city will feature advanced water treatment systems and low-impact architecture, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational areas.
This initiative enhances the quality of life for its inhabitants while prioritizing environmental conservation, serving as a model for future city planning in Africa.
The importance of effective project management in such sustainable initiatives cannot be overstated.
It ensures the efficient allocation of resources, adherence to timelines, and stakeholder engagement throughout the process.
For example, Kenya’s Climate Works project, launched by President William Ruto in September 2024, aims to engage 20,000 youths in Nairobi in river restoration and tree planting, highlighting the importance of community involvement and ecological balance.
These projects highlight how integrating sustainability into project management can create long-term value and resilience.
To learn more about the Climate Works project, you can read more about it here.
10 AI Movies That I Recommend
After sharing my favorite AI tools and courses, I’ve been receiving numerous requests to create more posts like these, showing more casual ways to learn more about our current AI transformation.
So I did! ?? I’m excited to recommend ten movies about AI that I highly encourage you to watch!
As a huge fan of cinema and Artificial Intelligence, I believe the lessons that movies can teach us are invaluable. They offer a fun and engaging way to explore complex topics, making them fantastic learning tools.
The films I’ve chosen provide a broad perspective that is perfect for understanding the universe of technology and AI. Some are more disruptive than others, but they are all excellent, in my opinion.
Here’s my list of recommended AI movies:
If you enjoy these recommendations or would like me to discuss other topics, let me know!
Each of these films explores different aspects of AI, raising questions about technology’s impact on our lives, ethics, and the future.
As the weekend approaches and the colder weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to watch some of these movies.
Have you watched any already? Do you have other recommendations? ??
I hope you find these recommendations helpful and inspiring!
Quick Announcements
Celebrating 162 Certified AIPM Professionals
We are thrilled to announce that we have reached a significant milestone on October 31: 162 individuals are now AIPM Credential certified!
It’s hard to believe that Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez and I were able to achieve this remarkable feat.
This success is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication.
I also did the exam myself and passed!! I know it sounds funny, but yes, even we had to take the exam and pass just like everyone else! ??
The AIPM Credential was developed in collaboration with APMG International — one of the world’s leading accreditation and exam institutes— and aims to transform how project managers integrate AI into their projects.
This certification not only enhances your skill set but also prepares you for the future of project management.
You can learn more about the certification here.
Join Us for International Project Management Day on November 7th
I am beyond thrilled to share that we are hosting a special event on November 7th to celebrate International Project Management Day.
The day aims to celebrate our profession and it is also an opportunity to give back to the society. This is exactly what is behind this event. It is our opportunity to give back to this fantastic community, bringing someone very special to talk at this free event.
The speaker will be Manoel Lemos. We studied together at MIT in 2010, and since that time, we have become close friends. He is the source of many insights I had in my professional life related to tech.
As a partner at RedPoint e-ventures, he lives in Silicon Valley and, in my opinion, is one of the most brilliant minds when it comes to understanding and explaining current trends.
He graciously accepted our invitation and will spend 45 minutes with us, sharing his insights on what’s happening.
It's an opportunity to have a special class about what is happening in technology that is shaping the AI world we are living in.
I watched the same lecture Manoel is going to deliver to us on Nov 7th a few months ago (Portuguese version). It was one of the best insights on tech I’ve had recently.
Mark your calendars and click here for more details!
Let's make this an unforgettable event together! ??
New LinkedIn Learning Course on Sustainability in Project Management
Last week, LinkedIn released my new course, which was fully recorded at LinkedIn Studios. This time, it covers the topic of sustainability in projects, with a strong focus on social and economic sustainability.
The course is part of the LinkedIn Catalog and is available for everyone here.
Sustainability Pulse? Release
I am beyond thrilled to announce that the Sustainability Pulse project, a vision I have held dear for many years, is finally coming to life!
This workshop is designed to equip project managers with the insights and frameworks needed to integrate sustainability into their project practices.
With Sustainability Pulse, we’re creating a vital resource for those eager to make a lasting, positive impact in their communities and the environment.
This new workshop will join the family of PMDome, PMRank, Uncertainty Cycle, and PMFits.
Currently, the workshop is only available for corporate clients, but I am working hard to make it available to wider audiences. Stay tuned!
?? You can learn more about the Sustainability Pulse here.
Last AI-Driven PM Revolution Masterclass of the Year
Time is ticking! This is your last chance to join our final Masterclass of the year, which is happening next month! Let’s end 2024 on a high note together.
In this Masterclass, we’ll explore the cutting-edge AI trends that are reshaping project management today and will continue to define the future. Expect practical insights, bold ideas, and a forward-thinking vision for the coming year. Believe me—this session will be epic!
Spaces are limited and going fast.
Don’t wait—secure your spot now to be part of this exclusive year-end event!
?? More information and registration here.
Project Director | Program Director | Head of Project Office | PMO Director | Portfolio Director | Strategy Office Director
2 周I agree on the need of focusing on sustainability but most of the times I wonder if this is something that it will ever happen in a capitalist world where growth is the key driver of the system
“Doing the right things right” . A picture says thousand words ? Thanks Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D.
Portfolio, programme, project & PMO expert
2 周Dear Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D. I haven’t read your post, but have started your LinkedIn course. However, What motivated me to write is the picture of the bridge that you posted. As you know I moved to S?o Paulo Brazil em 1986. I worked 6 years in a textile factory that belonged to Levi Strauss & Co. in Cotia in the suburbs of S?o Paulo. Each day I used to commute back and forth . The distance was 22 km but I had to go 31 km and and return by a bridge ???further down the highway, though there were one bridge ??? at 24th km. But the access to the highway ??? was not constructed, just like the photo that you posted. I did that during 3 years and one day the state government decided to complete the works. This saved me a full thank of gasoline ?? per month. In other words, unfinished infrastructure has negative economic externalities and they can be objectively measured. Thanks for sharing ??????
CEO & Founder, Executive Coach, Strategic Planner, Trainer, Board Member (Semi-Retired)
2 周Thanks Ricardo. Very much enjoyed this much broader view of value. Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.