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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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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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