The diagram on the right and the table below outline the four key phases of the SIGMA Management Framework. Each phase is divided into sub-phases (for example, the Leadership and Vision (LV) phase is divided into sub-phases LV1 to LV4). Each phase and its sub-phases are described in detailed tables which can be viewed.

The tables contain:

	key questions to focus on
	a cross-check of how intended activities link to the organisation’s chosen principles
	who needs to be involved
	what the key activities are
	when they need to be implemented
	a list of helpful resources
	expected outcomes and outputs
	key implementation issues that the organisation may need to be aware of.

Organisations may choose to establish a dedicated team to implement SIGMA. The tables refer to such a team as the SIGMA Implementation Team. Similarly, an organisation may appoint key individuals to support the implementation process; these are referred to as Project Champions.

The outcomes and outputs column lists the likely output and outcomes of the recommended activities. Open book symbols denote where written output is likely to be appropriate. It is not necessary to produce all the documents listed in the tables. Some organisations will favour producing all or most of the written output, to aid monitoring and auditing; others will prefer a less formal approach, or will be able to modify existing documents rather than create new ones. An overview of core documents is listed in Appendix C.

Management Phase	Purpose
Leadership and Vision LV1 Business case and top-level commitment LV2 Vision, mission and operating principles LV3 Communication and training LV4 Culture change	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 P1 Performance review P2 Legal and regulatory analysis and management P3 Actions, impacts and outcomes P4 Strategic planning P5 Tactical planning	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 D1 Change management D2 Management programmes D3 Internal controls and external influence	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 MRR1 Monitoring, measurement, auditing and feedback MRR2 Tactical and strategic review MRR3 Reporting progress MRR4 Assurance of reporting	To monitor progress against stated values, strategies, erformance 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.

© 2001-2006 SIGMA Project

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