INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO AN ORGANIZATION: A PROJECT, PROGRAM, AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT APPROACH

In today’s fast-paced world characterized by technological development, digitalization, and rapidly evolving social and economic conditions, environmental, social, and governance problems have become the drivers for organizations to change their way of doing business. Climate change, population increase, diversity and inclusion awareness as well as changing consumers expectations are only a few of the main drivers of the necessity of an organizational change toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Although most companies state full commitment to sustainability in their mission and strategy statement, a gap exists between strategy and benefits realization. This thesis attempts to synthesize knowledge produced about the integration of sustainability within an organization’s strategy as well as operations and daily activities and proposes a project, program, and portfolio management framework to this end. The goal is to embed sustainability aspects in every phase of project management and program and portfolio management. The thesis also includes a change management plan proposal aimed at the full integration of sustainability into an organization.