During the first part of my 7th semester, I wrote my dissertation research that sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a sustainability design manual I developed during my internship and its potential integration into CREO’s future projects. The findings were both enlightening and indicative of certain gaps, offering a comprehensive view of the current state of sustainability in the firm and areas for improvement.

Grade: 12

Study findings

Gap in sustainability implementation

The study revealed a significant disconnect between CREO’s strong theoretical recognition of sustainability and the practical application of sustainable building methods. This indicated a need for a more actionable approach to bridge this gap.

Management’s role in sustainability

The study found that management support is crucial for the successful implementation of sustainable practices at the office. This includes providing targeted training, establishing transparent communication channels, and clearly defining roles and responsibilities related to sustainable practices within the organization.

Effectiveness of the sustainability manual

The manual was designed as a support tool for staff in sustainable construction practices. However, due to time constraints, its effectiveness and integration into daily operations were not fully explored in this study. A more in-depth analysis would be required to assess the manual’s true impact and utility in sustainable construction practices.

Survey insights

The survey conducted revealed a variance in levels of sustainability training and awareness among CREO employees. This highlighted the need for a more uniform approach to education and training in sustainability.

Early decision-making in construction projects

Decisions made during the initial stages of projects were found to have a profound impact on their sustainability. However, there seemed to be a lack of structured processes to ensure these early decisions were aligned with sustainability goals.

Where the study fell short

Depth of employee engagement and perception analysis

Although the survey offered useful insights, a more in-depth analysis of employee engagement and perceptions could have provided a clearer picture of the internal barriers to sustainability implementation.

Additionally, an in-depth qualitative research approach could have helped to pinpoint the exact stages in the project workflow where the sustainability manual could be most effectively integrated, thereby making the integration process more seamless. For instance, while the theoretical framework suggests early integration of the sustainability manual, qualitative research could have explored the practicalities of this recommendation.

Are clients and investors genuinely interested in sustainability, or are they more concerned with other factors such as cost or speed of construction?

Moreover, an in-depth qualitative approach could have provided insights into the internal communication dynamics within CREO. Specifically, it could help to understand whether those who hold decision-making power are effectively communicating with those who have specialized knowledge in sustainable construction. This is crucial because a disconnect between these two groups could lead to missed opportunities for sustainable development or even to the implementation of practices that are less sustainable than they could be.

Financial analysis of sustainability integration

The research touched on the economic implications of sustainable construction but lacked a detailed financial analysis of the costs and benefits associated with implementing the sustainability manual.

Long-term impact assessment

The study did not extensively cover the long-term impacts of integrating the sustainability manual into CREO’s projects, including potential benefits or challenges over time.