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Executing the Project • 123

Project decisions are made in a “global” environment, including emotions
and politics. Green efforts are a political hot potato. Arguments are being
made by both sides. Although the progreen efforts seem to be succeeding,
we think that it is not for the obvious reasons. Green efforts will prove to
be good for everyone, the environment, the social responsibility aspect, and
because they will save money in the long run. The project manager, therefore,
must be vigilant, especially during the execution phase of the project, and
be aware of the problems that may arise from greenality efforts.

greenality oF suPPliers
During the implementation of the project, the project team will have a
chance to monitor the greenality of suppliers of project needs. Project
managers don’t expend a lot of energy on supplier management. The
general thinking is that once the commitment has been made, and con-
tracts and agreements signed, the suppliers will follow the requirements
and the project team will track those milestones, deliverables, and quality
specified. Greenality efforts are different. As was outlined in the planning
process, the depth of a supplier’s greenality requirements is limited only
by the influence of the project. The more influence the project has to the
supplier—monetarily, fit with the supplier’s mission, or other reasons—
the more influence the project manager will have in requesting that the
supplier adhere to greenality efforts defined during the project-planning
process. Those requirements were conveyed to the suppliers during the
project-planning effort.
The complexity of the greenality request will dictate the depth of moni-
toring the project team will have to complete. As an example, if the sup-
plier has agreed to electronic invoices, it is very easy to check to see if
the supplier is meeting that requirement. However, if the supplier has
agreed to reduce its electrical usage, thereby reduce its carbon footprint,
the team may need to request a formal report, electronically of course, of
their energy reduction efforts. Remember, every project, no matter what
its intended goal, and every supplier to the project, although not obvious,
has some green aspects. This is one area of the project where greenality
efforts may include some additional costs. These costs should be planned
in during the supplier selection process, as well as added to the greenality
commitments during the budgeting process.