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132 • Green Project Management

to grab onto emotional issues. Once that happens, that becomes the only
focus, or at least a distracter from the true issues. As a result, innovation
and creativity, so important to greenality, become stifled. There is a loss
of the “global picture,” and short-term results take precedent over long-
term gains. Once those issues become public, there is a chance that, while
the project may be heading for a successful conclusion, it may be derailed
because of emotional issues. This is especially true with the greenality
efforts on the project. It is therefore imperative that the issues be sepa-
rated from the people. Always focus the project team (and refocus them if
necessary) on their end goal, and the way that this end goal fits into the
organization’s overall portfolio and mission.

keePing on an even keel

As we’ve said many times, there are two aspects to green project manage-
ment: the product of the project and the process of the project. Both need
to be controlled in order to keep the project on an even keel, or at least
not keeling over too far one way or the other. Remember, dealing with
greenality means sailing in heavy winds. One of the ways to manage and
control the project’s processes is to have periodic process reviews. How
are we doing with the process greenality efforts including reducing energy
use, using digital information transfer, electronic meetings, and others? As
much as is possible, these should be quantifiable measurements, not eso-
teric assessments. Recall the need for benchmarking mentioned earlier.
Using the data collected during the interview (with team members),
review the personnel assignments, how people are feeling, and whether or
not there is any hope or effort creep. More frequent reviews should be done
early in the project because of uncertainty surrounding project greenality.
The project manager will be able not only to assess the team’s abilities to
execute on project greenality, but also to provide additional coaching to
help them understand what is expected. Gaining a better understanding
by team members of the greenality efforts on the project will help to get
their buy-in. Without the buy-in, the project is likely not to succeed. It is
important to note that there are advantages to the individual team mem-
bers in understanding and committing to the project’s greenality efforts.
There is a “green wave.” Understanding the issues around the wave can
give the team members additional insight for the next project, making