Multiple competing projects, limited skilled resources, dispersed virtual teams, time-to-market pressures and limited capital serve as forces for linking business strategy with project selection. Thus, project prioritisation and selection are important for organisations to ensure efficient alignment between the project objectives and organisational strategy. Apply nonfinancial and business analysis methods to analyse and identify the projects that meet the strategic priorities of an organisation.

The growing concerns worldwide about social, economic and environmental sustainability impose pressure on the business environment and organisations to consider those aspects when setting up their strategic objectives. Thus, analyse the impact of sustainability on project prioritisation and selection. This will help balance meeting the present requirements of stakeholders and social and environmental responsibilities.

Instructions

Step 1: Choose a state or local government area in Australia that you are familiar with.

Step 2: Conduct research into your chosen state or local government area to identify the following:

• published local priorities or strategic objectives, including general objectives and specific objectives related to sustainability,
• recent infrastructure/significant projects (both underway and planned),
• information about how investments in recent or significant projects are prioritised and approved. Note any good practices, ambiguities or discrepancies.

Step 3: Develop a summary report advising the state or local government area on the following:

• how their existing approach aligns with current best practices in strategic project selection and cost management,
• how their existing approach aligns with best practices for ethical and sustainability issues for local stakeholders,
• appropriate recommendations to improve current approaches/practices.