PRiSM: an introduction guide for beginners

Today, sustainable development, ecology and environmental protection are concepts that are part of our daily lives. More and more people and businesses are committed to a greener approach and are adopting more environmentally friendly behaviors. It was therefore logical and necessary for project management to follow the same path. It is possible with the PrisM method.

PRism stands for ProjectS integrating Sustainable Methods, or “projects integrating sustainable methods” in French. This methodology combines project management with environmental protection. Now, businesses can manage their projects with greener processes and thus reduce their impact on the environment.

Definition

There are numerous methodologies to help you manage your projects effectively. You must have already heard ofAgile, Waterfall, Lean or Scrum, to name but a few. But did you know that there is only one that integrates sustainable development into project management? This is the PRiSM method.

In a world where everything is disposable and nothing lasts, the PRiSM method is based on maximizing value as well as sustainable processes and products. The objective is to integrate sustainable development into the heart of the management of your projects, by adopting principles, practices and processes that are more environmentally friendly.

While PRiSM is primarily designed for large-scale real estate development projects or construction or infrastructure projects that may have harmful effects on the environment, it can be used for all types of projects.

Note that PRiSM is a standalone method that can be implemented with most project management methodologies like PRINCE2 or Agile methods.

If your company cares about the environment and wants to adopt an ecological approach, choose the PRiSM method to manage your projects more sustainably and reduce their environmental, social and economic impact.

Origin of the PRiSM method

PrisM was created by the company Green Project Management (GPM) and the first version of the method appeared in 2012.

Green Project Management is a global organization that promotes sustainability in project management in order to preserve natural resources. It offers standards, training and certifications based on the following six principles:

1. Commitment and responsibility : recognize the right of all to a safe, clean and healthy environment, to equal opportunities, to fair remuneration, to ethical procurement and to respect for the rule of law.
2. Ethics and decision-making power : support organizational ethics and decision-making power in accordance with universal principles through the identification, alleviation and prevention of short and long-term harmful impacts on society and the environment.
3. Integration and transparency : encourage the interdependence between economic development, social integrity and environmental protection in all aspects of management, practice and monitoring.
4. Conservation and valorization of resources : conserving and optimizing the natural resources we have by improving the way we develop and use technologies and resources.
5. Social and ecological equity : assess human vulnerability in ecologically sensitive sectors and population centers through demographic dynamics.
6. Economic prosperity : establish fiscal strategies and goals that balance the needs of stakeholders by including immediate needs as well as those of future generations.

The PRiSM method is based on the Green Project Management P5 standard. The 5Ps stand for Process, Products, People, Planet, and Prosperity, (Process, Products, People, Planet, and Prosperity in English). Thus, PRiSM makes it possible to reduce the environmental, social and economic risks that a project may cause while expanding the benefits to be gained. P5 follows the 17 UN sustainable development goals.

How does it work?

First of all, know that adopting the PRiSM method is not enough for your business to become ecological.

Indeed, sustainable development starts with the adoption of a system of values and a way of operating governed by principles. This means that your company must act in accordance with human rights, labor rights, the environment and the fight against corruption. A responsible company applies the same values and principles wherever it operates and knows that good practices in one area do not compensate for the damage caused in another (source: Green Project Management).

P5 makes it possible to identify, analyze and understand the impacts of the activities (processes) and results (products and/or services) of the project on society, the environment and the economy (People, Planet and Prosperity in English) through various qualitative and quantitative indicators as well as data collection. In this way, the project manager can make thoughtful decisions to improve product characteristics and project management practices in order to reduce their negative impact.

To do this, it must take into account:

• The shelf life of the product : ensure that the product is durable;
• product maintenance : ensure that it will be revised and maintained throughout its period of use;
• process efficiency : ensure that the processes used to manage the project provide the expected results;
• the profitability of the processes : ensure that processes allow for maximum productivity;
• Fairness of processes : ensure that everyone involved in the project is treated fairly and with respect.

Conclusion

Thanks to the PRiSM method, project management finally becomes ecological.

By following this methodology and the tools provided, all companies, regardless of their field of activity, can succeed in finding the perfect balance between social responsibility, limited resources and sustainable results for their projects.

By applying the PRiSM method, you not only improve your brand image, but you also reduce your energy expenses, you better manage your waste and you lower your distribution costs. What more could you ask for?

Note that to ensure the effectiveness of this method, the entire company must adhere to its principles and values.