Enabling sustainable development through project management: Identifying obstacles, opportunities, and best practices.

Abstract

The importance of integrating sustainability considerations into project management has been increasingly emphasized due to the growing pressure on companies to operate sustainably and responsibly. The primary objective of the research was to identify the barriers and enablers faced by organizations and project managers when attempting to integrate sustainability into their project management practices. Furthermore, successful practices that could be utilized to enhance sustainability performance were identified. To achieve these goals, sustainability and project management literature were extensively reviewed, covering fundamental concepts, theories, and approaches. The present study primarily relied on survey methodology to gather quantitative data, supplemented by in-depth interviews conducted with project managers to obtain qualitative data, followed by a thorough analysis. The key barriers and enablers to integrating sustainability into project management, along with the best practices that have emerged, were revealed in the findings. The results provide valuable insights that can guide the development of effective sustainability strategies and inform decision-making. Practical recommendations presented in the report can help project managers improve the sustainability performance of their projects. The significance of the results is useful for organizations of different sizes, sectors, and industries. In conclusion, this research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the integration of sustainability into project management and provides insights that can inform future research in this field.