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In our book, we wrote about DESERTEC.

It’s nice to see that it’s:

  • more than a dream
  • employing project managers
  • employing project team workers
  • setting an example for renewable energy

See this really nice and very new video:

 

Note the aspects of social, economic, and ecological sustainability involved.

And note the importance of project management to the effort.

THIS is a good example of a solid intersection of sustainability and project management.

What do you think?

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Visiting family in Washington, DC (The capitol of the USA, and the core of the play-on-words of the title) this weekend, I was able to enjoy an absolutely wonderful dinner at a restaurant there called Founding Farmers.

Immediately I was struck with connections to EarthPM and our book on Green Project Management.  One of our themes is to have a strong connection between idea/vision/values and operations.  Here’s what this restaurant says about itself (and this came through sincerely via our waitress right from the start):

The American family farmer is truly at the heart of Founding Farmers because the restaurant is owned by genuine, hardworking, American family farmers.

We believe it is the right of all diners and food lovers to enjoy of a good “meal away from home” that is fulfilling, delicious and honest, made with ingredients from high-quality sources. We strive to source the best products seasonally and regionally whenever possible, and our meals are prepared with the utmost care and attention by our talented chefs and kitchen staff. “Strive” is an important word, because in today’s world and today’s economy, it isn’t always possible to source or buy the ideal products.

The Founding Farmers name represents a combination of ideas: it is a celebration of the land and the American family farmer; it is a nod to the founding fathers of our country, many of whom owned and farmed land that surrounds Washington, D.C.; and it is a place where true, sustainably farmed, grown and harvested American foods are brought to our guests.

So their mission is not only clear, it goes right into the menu and the service.  A connection is made between Ideation and Operations.  In our business (and discipline) of project management, we say that is what brews success.

This restaurant is always packed, always highly-regarded, and we can say from personal experience, does a fantastic job.  Everything about our visit was an 11 on a 10-point scale.

Since the restaurant has such a sustainability theme, we decided to check their web presence, and were delighted with a highly-informative site with a dedicated page on farming and restaurant sustainability.

Check out their “why we care” page.  It’s a great resource.

What we found interesting was their tenets that describe how they expect their suppliers (farms) to act.  Again, this links to project management in that procurement practices can also have these tenets.  They may not be exactly the same because all projects don’t necessarily deal with farms, but you can transpose the idea.  Here are their tenets:

  • Conservation and Preservation: What is taken out of the environment is put back in, so land and resources such as water, soil and air can be replenished and are available to future generations. The waste from sustainable farming stays within the farm’s ecosystem and cannot cause buildup or pollution. In addition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize transportation costs and fossil fuel use and is as locally based as possible.
  • Biodiversity: Farms raise different plants and animals, which are rotated around the fields to enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Chemical pesticides are used minimally and only when necessary. Many sustainable farms do not use any form of chemicals.
  • Animal Welfare: Animals are treated humanely and respectfully and are well cared for. They are permitted to carry out their natural behaviors — such as grazing, rooting or pecking — and are fed a natural diet appropriate for their species.
  • Economic Viability: Farmers are paid a fair wage and are not dependent on subsidies from the government. Sustainable farmers help strengthen rural communities.
  • Socially Just: Workers are treated fairly and paid competitive wages and benefits. They work in a safe environment and are offered proper living conditions and good food.

So, if you’re ever in or near Washington, DC, stop by this restaurant and have one of the best dining experiences you’ll ever enjoy – and you’ll learn a little, too!

Click on the image below to go to their home page.

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An article in yesterday’s Boston Globe describes a project in Gloucester (pronounced “Gloss-tah”*), Massachusetts, in which the city will power its school and city buildings fully from wind power.  The windmills will save Gloucester at least $450,000 per year and more than $11 million over the next 25 years.  Located in one of the windiest areas of the state, averaging over 16 miles per hour, and away from any neighborhoods, this project has received little in the way of protest.

Investment in the project is about $10M, and with the savings from the agreement, the town is now jumpstarting two other projects in the next two years, a new police and fire safety building and a new elementary school.

So: project begets project begets project, and the city ends up with ongoing savings that pay back on its original investment.

Not a bad deal – winding up with savings.  And not a bad deal for all of the project managers who’ll be gainfully employed to bring these deliverables in on time, within budget, and with proper scope management.

 

 

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

 

*really!

 

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Despite the image and the play on words, this is actually a very serious and urgent posting regarding exposure.

It has nothing to do with being too “revealing” or getting too cold.

Rather it has to do with an “Exposure Draft” which the Project Management Institute (PMI) has made available for comment, and it’s only open for comment until 14-January.

The document is The Standard for Portfolio Management.  And it’s only open as an Exposure Draft until 14-January-2012

Here is a link to the page that explains how you can make comments and suggestions on the Exposure Draft of the Standard for Portfolio Management.

http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards/Standards-Current-PMI-Standards-Projects.aspx

We are urging our readers to go there and to review the document for how well (or poorly) it integrates sustainability thinking.  Already in our initial review we notice some problems.  For example, when it discusses ‘Organizational Value’, it says that

“Organizational Value … also includes other forms of value such as employee or customer satisfaction, contribution to the community, enhancement or protection of the environment…”

” Also?”

Like it’s a “throw-in” gimme?

It’s good that the environment is mentioned, and that social and community aspects are mentioned, but not good enough.  These items – these sustainability, long-term items, must be integrated.

Help us, won’t you, by spending some time with this document and adding your comments and insight.  We feel it’s very important because it’s at the Portfolio level that business make fundamental decisions about what types of projects and programs to undertake.

 

Thanks.

 

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IHappy New Year!!t’s been a very interesting and wonderful year for us.  We’ve gained a lot of new friends along the way.  We also know that some of the issues we talk about can get a little “heavy” at times.  So we wanted to share with you a little video that was sent to us to say thank you to all of you who follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and enjoy our posts.  Please continue to add your input.

And to all our friends, old and new, world-wide, we think you’ll get a big kick out of this.  Happy New Year to all from Rich and Dave at EarthPM!!

Click Here to Enjoy

 

 

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