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Management Framework
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  SIGMA - management framework  

The SIGMA Management Framework, described below The SIGMA Management Framework describes a four-phase cycle to manage and embed sustainability issues within core organisational processes. Organisations may enter the cycle at different points and work through the phases at different speeds according to their particular circumstances and existing systems.

These four phases are divided into detailed sub-phases. Click one of these links for a description of each phase.

  • Leadership and Vision
  • Planning
  • Delivery
  • Monitor, Review and Report


    Management Phase Purpose
    Leadership and Vision
    LV1Business case and top-level commitment
    LV2Vision, mission and operating principles
    LV3Communication and training
    LV4Culture 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
    P1Performance review
    P2Legal and regulatory analysis and management
    P3Actions, impacts and outcomes
    P4Strategic planning
    P5Tactical 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
    D1Change management
    D2Management programmes
    D3Internal 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
    MRR1Monitoring, measurement, auditing and feedback
    MRR2Tactical and strategic review
    MRR3Reporting progress
    MRR4Assurance 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.

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