Is the evolution of building sustainability assessment methods promoting the desired sharing of knowledge amongst project stakeholders?

Abstract

Is the evolution of building sustainability assessment methods promoting the desired sharing of knowledge amongst project stakeholders? Building sustainability assessment methods (BSAM's) seek to help project stakeholders understand the predicted and actual sustainability performance of their buildings but are often applied reactively and isolated from project decisions. The last decade has seen BREEAM at the forefront of evolving assessment practice towards a framework approach to help shape project decisions and promote stakeholder learning. The research explores the nature and extent this transition is being realised in practice within four case studies applying BREEAM spanning a fifteen-year period. Process and knowledge mapping techniques are applied to explore the flow of knowledge required to enable sustainable decisions, stimulate the sharing of understanding, mediation of views and to promote learning amongst stakeholders. Evidence suggested that when applied in progressive projects that the flow of knowledge is strongest when supported by sustainability leadership, a framework approach aligned with project management, an improvement and engagement culture and a strategy for promoting knowledge flow. As practice matures care is needed to ensure engagement remains high and stakeholders are not isolated from the flow of knowledge as projects increasingly rely on sustainability advisors thus losing the opportunity to learn and shape decisions.

Application of Life Cycle Assessment and Similar Methodologies in Asset Management: A Multiple Case Study

“…The communication of assessment outcomes appeared to be challenging, as acknowledged by [18,19,24]. Literature also documents a lack of trust in the outcomes [14,22], but decision-makers had sufficient trust in the methodology and outcomes.…”

“…The outcomes of the assessment are communicated and used in line with the goal. knowledge considered beforehand and generated and exchanged throughout the assessment is important for decision-making [18]. Communication in line with the goal of the assessment can therefore help to formulate corrective and preventive measures to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities, associated with the goal [2], [30].…”

Enhancing project stakeholder communication under insufficient knowledge of project management concepts

“…This supports the findings of this research that highlight the importance of teaching and learning project management TC. Findings of recent studies also call for project managers to act as knowledge brokers (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013;Tan et al, 2018;Thomson and El-Haram, 2019). The literature (e.g.…”

Underlying factors for successful project management to construct sustainable built assets

“…The use of sustainability indicators combined with early collaboration among stakeholders can lead to sustainable projects (Thomson and El-Haram, 2019). The literature reveals the need for project managers to better understand how sustainability indicators enhance sustainable construction (Yunus and Yang, 2012).…”