Analysis of the use of sustainable management in grand challenge projects

Purpose: analysis of the potential for introducing sustainable project management into grand challenge projects, using IT and R&D projects as examples. Design/methodology/approach: qualitative research in a case study research strategy was applied. Two types of projects were studied: IT projects (here a single holistic case study was used, where the data collection technique was individual interviews), R&D projects (here a multiple embedded case study was used, where the data collection technique was diada interviews). Findings: there is considerable potential in grand challenge projects to implement sustainable project management practices. However, there is currently a lack of consistency, standardisation and integration with the strategic objectives of the organisation, which limits the effectiveness of the activities. There is a need to structure the approach, adapt the practices to the specifics of the projects and promote education and awareness. Research limitations/implications: small number of cases, specificity of grand challenge projects, subjective selection of cases, interpretation of data, limitations of data collection technique. Practical implications: identifying recommendations for organisations implementing grand challenge projects: standardising approaches to sustainable project management, educating and raising awareness of the importance of sustainable project management, adapting processes to the specifics of projects, integrating with the organisation's strategic objectives, monitoring and reporting progress, working with partners. Social implications: the direction of change in sustainable project management is now being set by individuals with the knowledge and skills to deliver projects using sustainable methods. Applying the recommendations identified from the research should allow organisations to grow economically without negative social and environmental impacts. Originality/value: linking the theme of sustainable project management to the theme of project management in grand challenge projects. Keywords: sustainable project management, grand challenge projects, IT projects, R&D projects. Category of the paper: research paper.