The Sigma Project

Introduction How to use Foreword Executive summary SIGMA Principles Management Framework Introducing the tables Four key phases Leadership & vision Planning Delivery Monitor, review & report Views on the Guidelines

Management Phase

Purpose

Leadership and Vision
Define the vision for sustainability and ensure leadership support for it

	To develop a business case to address sustainability issues and secure top-level commitment to integrate sustainable development into core processes and decision-making.
	To identify stakeholders and open dialogue with them on key impacts and suggested approaches.
	To formulate the organisation’s long-term sustainable development mission, vision and operating principles and a high-level strategy that supports them, and to revisit them periodically.
	To raise awareness of sustainability issues and how they may affect the organisation’s licence to operate and its future direction and its training and development requirements.
	To ensure that the organisational culture is supportive of a move towards sustainability.

Planning
Decide what needs to be done to improve performance

	To ascertain the organisation’s current sustainability performance, legal requirements and voluntary commitments.
	To identify and prioritise the organisation’s key sustainability issues.
	To develop strategic plans to deliver the organisation’s vision and address its key sustainability issues.
	Consult with stakeholders on plans.
	To formulate tactical short-term action plans to support the agreed sustainability strategies with defined objectives, targets and responsibilities.

Delivery
Improve performance

	To align and prioritise management programmes in line with strategic and tactical planning and the organisation’s sustainability vision.
	To ensure that identified actions, impacts and outcomes and legal and self-regulatory requirements are managed and appropriate internal controls are in place.
	To improve performance by delivering sustainability strategies and associated action plans.
	To exercise appropriate external influence on suppliers, peers and others to progress sustainable development.

Monitor, Review and Report
Check that performance is improving and communicate the results

	To monitor progress against stated values, strategies, performance objectives and targets.
	To engage with internal and external stakeholders via reporting and assurance, and by incorporating feedback into effective strategic and tactical reviews culminating in appropriate and timely change.