Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
Level 5
Planning
Unit 2
Planning an EMS


Implementing an EMS means making changes to the way in which a company operates. Such organisational changes need to be planned and managed carefully. Project management techniques are useful in ensuring that goals can be met within set timescales.

In planning the implementation of an EMS companies need to establish and undertake the following:

British Standard BS 6079 : 1996 Guide to Project Management defines project management as...

..."the planning, monitoring and control of all aspects of a project, and the motivation of all those involved in it to achieve the project's objectives on time and to the specified cost, quality and performance.

Project definition & goals -> The type of EMS required
Project manager -> Who will be appointed as the Management Representative
Concept -> Preliminary plan(s) outlining what implementing an EMS will involve, how it will be done, and the resources required
Feasibility -> Review of preliminary plan(s) taking into account available resources and other constraints by Management Representative
Project team -> Selection and appointment of Environmental Steering Group
Evaluation & risk assessment -> Examination of the revised plan, and identification of obstacles to implementation by Steering Group
Authorisation -> Top management approval of detailed project plan identifying each project activity, responsibilities and authorities, and timetable for reporting progress

Some of the above are discussed in more detail later in the unit and rest of the module. The appointment of a Management Representative and Environmental Steering Group (ESG) do not have to be undertaken in the order shown above. The Management Representative could be appointed first and given the job of defining the project and its goals, or you could appoint the Management Representative after top management approval for the project has been given. Either way, if a company decides to go ahead and implement an EMS, they should appoint a Management Representative to run the project and a some sort of ESG to oversee its implementation if possible. In many small organisations this may not be possible due to a lack of available resources, and the job of implementation may be left to just one person.