The program management process with sustainability considerations

Program management has been widely accepted as an effective tool for making strategic and tactical changes. A brief review of the program management process showed that the ambiguity-reduction learning loop together with the uncertainty-reduction performance loop would make program management a feasible sustainability-oriented management tool for addressing the needs of a sustainable society. The requirements and impacts of sustainability are becoming important considerations in formulating a program; however, not much related literature can be found within the project management body of knowledge. This paper aims to facilitate the understanding of “Sustainability in Program Management”. Sustainability considerations adopting a three pillars approach is proposed. A “Program Sustainability Assessment Framework” is constructed to help the program manager incorporate sustainability considerations into program management practices. The key factors for aligning program sustainability to corporate sustainability strategy are also discussed.