Back to Environmental Management

Sustainability

5 minutes 5 Questions

Sustainability aims to enhance project performance while ensuring the responsible use of resources. It's the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Project managers can incorporate sustainable practices by minimizing the project’s negative environmental impact. This may involve careful sourcing of materials, sustainable work practices, and designing project outcomes that are both economically successful and beneficial to the environment.

Guide on Sustainability - based on PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition

Sustainability is a vital management concept in the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition due to increasingly prominent environmental and social issues around the globe. This implies focusing on the long-term impact of project activities and choosing options with the least negative impact on society, economy, and the environment.

What it is: Sustainability pertains to the integration of environmental, social, and economic factors into project management to ensure longevity and minimal adverse impacts.

How it works: Sustainability in project management involves making choices that reduce waste, improve societal impact, and support economic longevity. Tools such as sustainability reporting, environmental risk assessments, and stakeholder engagement can be used.

Exam tips: For sustainability questions in the PMP examination, it's important to remember the balance of economic, environmental, and social considerations present in the PMBOK Seventh Edition. Look for the option that implies a long-term approach with least negative impacts. In case of doubt, choose the alternative that emphasizes more on stakeholder engagement and benefits the project in the long run. Remember, the right choice is usually the one that maximizes overall benefit while minimizing harm.

Test mode:
Start practice test
PMP - Environmental Management Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

Question 1

Your construction project is causing excessive noise pollution, which is lowering the quality of life for nearby residents. What is the best solution?

Correct Answer: Implement noise-reducing measures such as enclosures around noisy equipment, and schedule disruptive activities in less sensitive time periods.

The best solution is to 'implement noise-reducing measures such as enclosures around noisy equipment, and schedule disruptive activities in less sensitive time periods.' This approach alleviates the problem directly by addressing the source of noise pollution. It is also respectful to the nearby residents' rights to quality of life. 'Asking the residents to relocate temporarily' is not an optimal solution as it displaces people from their homes, causing inconveniences and potential resistance to the project. 'Ignoring the problem, since construction is naturally noisy,' dismisses the importance of stakeholder management and disregard towards good community relations, thereby potentially harming the project's reputation and causing legal issues. 'Increasing the project speed to finish quicker while still making the same amount of noise' might seem appealing but it can compromise the quality of the work, cause safety risks, and doesn't guarantee a significant reduction in total noise exposure for the residents.

Question 2

During project planning, a Project Manager is exploring sustainable procurement strategies for materials to be used in construction. Which of the following options would BEST support the project's sustainability goals?

Correct Answer: Engaging suppliers with proven track records of eco-friendly practices

Engaging suppliers with proven track records of eco-friendly practices is the best option to support the project's sustainability goals. These suppliers have demonstrated their commitment to sustainable practices, ensuring the materials they provide align with the project's environmental objectives. Hiring contractors with only basic knowledge of sustainability principles may not be sufficient, as they might lack the expertise to fully implement sustainable practices throughout the project. Selecting the least expensive materials or obtaining materials from suppliers focused on cost-cutting measures could compromise the project's sustainability goals, as these options prioritize financial considerations over environmental impact.

Question 3

You are the project manager of a home development project. The local community is protesting about excessive waste being generated during construction. What should be your course of action?

Correct Answer: Revise the waste management strategy to incorporate sustainable practices and decrease waste.

The best course of action in such a situation would be to revise the waste management strategy to incorporate sustainable practices and decrease waste. As a project manager, you have a responsibility not just towards the project but also towards the environment and the community affected by the project. By revising the waste management strategy, you not only address the concerns of the community but also bring about a positive change in the way the project is executed. The other options, however, are not the correct course of actions. Ignoring the protests will lead to bad reputation and possible legal issues. Accelerating the project to reduce the time span of waste generation could compromise the quality of work and won't solve the waste issue. Finally, increasing community involvement by inviting them to assist in the waste cleanup could impose an unfair and unnecessary burden on the community, the project should, ideally, aim to minimize negative impacts on the community.

Go Premium

Project Management Professional Preparation Package (2024)

  • Earn 35 PDUs needed for your PMP certification
  • 9524 Superior-grade Project Management Professional practice questions.
  • Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
  • Unlock Effortless PMP preparation: 5 full exams.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
  • Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!
More Sustainability questions
22 questions (total)
Start 22 question test