Module 3: Planning

Welcome to Module 3, Planning. In this Module you’ll have an opportunity to integrate climate change implications with standard project management planning considerations. You’ll also start applying them in a case study situation.

In Module 3, we explore familiar territory for project managers, project planning, through the lens of climate change. As we have heard in Module 1 interviews, there is an abundance of resources on climate change. We will gain familiarity with these tools and exchange lessons learned in applying them.

Activities for this module will include:

3.1 Adding climate change considerations to a standard project management approach (Google doc)
3.2 Gaining familiarity with climate change tools
3.3 Participating in virtual swap meet of climate change tools (Padlet)
3.4 Preparing to discuss Smoky River case study planning issues
3.5 Participating in live Collaborate discussion

3.1 Climate change considerations in planning (readings and Google doc)

The project management approaches and frameworks you use now continue to be relevant in a time of climate change, but we may need to approach them with a new perspective and understanding of climate risks and key stakeholders.

In this section we will take a traditional project management framework and consider how climate change considerations can inform it. We will build this collaboratively through a Google doc. See below.

Let’s start by reading or scanning the following:

• The Four Phases of Project Management, Harvard Business Review staff (2016) https://hbr.org/2016/11/the-four-phases-of-project-management
• Guidelines for Project Managers: Making vulnerable investments climate resilient, Report for the European Commission (2012), Acclimatise and COWI, https://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/climate-change/ec_guidelines_for_project_managers.pdf
• Climate Compass – A climate risk management framework for Commonwealth agencies (2018), CSIRO, Australia, https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/adaptation/publications/climate-compass-climate-risk-management-framework
• Summary of ISO 14090 Principles (link removed to comply with copyright)

3.2 Climate change tools for project management in the planning stage

To effectively integrate climate change into your project planning you may need the following kinds of “tools” (term used loosely):

• Climate change information and education – general or specific science-based knowledge about how climate change works and what kinds of impacts we can expect
• Data services – services that help us understand how the climate may change in the locations that matter to our project
• Risk assessment – tools to help you understand climate change hazards specific to your project, recognize vulnerabilities, evaluate risks, and develop options to address the risks
• Community planning – tools for preparing and implementing local climate change strategies
• Sector or location specific guidance – guides, manuals, case studies and other tools

Below are two great places to start to get a sense of the tools available. Please explore:

ReTooling for climate change site to familiarize yourself with some available tools https://www.retooling.ca/retooling_essentials.html

European Climate Adaptation Platform Climate-ADAPT https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/knowledge/tools/uncertainty-guidance/topic3

The readings and resources section for this module is organized around the above categories (some tools span categories and other categorization is possible).

Once you’re familiar with some tools, our next activity will be to share our experiences or tips about tools, through a virtual “swap meet”. In a swap meet, you show up with stuff you have used and want to share, and you can pick up some new stuff.

Use the Padlet in word or video to tell us about one tool you’re bringing to the swap meet. How did you use it and why do you love it? You can also ask others if they have a used tool that might help you.

3.4 Smoky River Transit Case Study

In our synchronous session this week, we will discuss some planning questions in our case study. To prepare, please review the case and watch the video.

Review: Smoky River Transit Case

Watch video interview 3 with Robert Siddall – Question: What are the most useful things project managers can do at the planning stage of a new transit project, to consider climate change?

Video: Interview 3 with Robert Siddall

Reflect on questions 2 & 4 in the Case Study