The Sustainability/BPM Connection by Becki Hack

When I read the introduction and executive summary of APQC's Business Process Management, I picture an organization as a "whole system" that must consider interdependencies or "connectivity" among not only organizational functions/processes but also suppliers and customers. And work is viewed as "a series of interrelated activities, which converts inputs into outcomes (results)."

Now, take a couple steps back to a larger picture. This sub-system of "work" (the business/organization) is only one part of a larger economic system, which is part of a larger social system, which is part of a larger ecosystem (our planet), which is part of a larger system (universe)...You get the picture.

"Sustainability" is really about this bigger "whole system" perspective of the interdependencies and connectivity among healthy business/economies, society, and ecosystems on Earth. And, just like with any BPM initiative, competing priorities and goals among "the parts" (the sub-systems) must be balanced and resolved given the ultimate objectives of "the whole." Just as Air Products says "One Company" and expects all its businesses to align their individual wants/needs/practices with the ultimate corporate objectives/abilities, we humans must also align our business/economic and societal wants/needs/actions with the ultimate objectives/abilities of life on Earth.

Thinking of BPM's view of work as a conversion process, sustainability within the business context requires businesses to first minimize the impact of that conversion process on the front and back end (like Lean for the bigger picture) as well as ultimately find a way to move beyond "compliance" mentality to a proactive, collaborative, and regenerative approach to more sustainable business practices that are promoted through the free market.

This can all seem overwhelming, but as with any improvement approach, we've got to start somewhere. Below are a few resources I recommend as a starting place to get a good foundation and a greater understanding of "the big picture."

Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution
Paul Hawkins, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins

Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage
Daniel C. Esty and Andrew S. Winston

Leading Change Toward Sustainability: A Change-Management Guide for Business, Government and Civil Society
Bob Doppelt

Organizational Change for Corporate Sustainability 2nd edition: A guide for leaders and change agents of the future
Dunphy/Griffith


See L. Hunter Lovins speak at APQC's conference "The Road to Sustainability."