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Beyond the blueprint: industrial project management for sustainable success

If you’ve ever had to manage a project at work, you will be familiar with the deep sigh of relief once it is finalised. Project management is complex, a demanding role that requires high performance plate spinning to balance the elements of time, money, scope and people to meet the objectives of the project within the agreed parameters. Each of these elements present their own unique set of challenges to navigate before success can be called. However, in today’s environmentally conscious industrial landscape, project managers now have an additional responsibility: sustainability.


Why is sustainability important in industrial project management?

Sustainable project management addresses economic, social, and environmental factors at every stage of the lifecycle of a project. By utilising specialist skills, tools, and techniques, it develops innovative solutions that increase efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility. Businesses and organisations are transformed by merging traditional project delivery with sustainable outcomes. This approach not only contributes to solving global climate issues but also ensures the long-term success and sustainability of both the projects and the businesses behind them.


Here’s why sustainability is vital for business success:



  • With growing awareness of climate change, organisations are under increased pressure to integrate sustainability into their businesses by reducing their carbon footprint and lessening the environmental burden of their operations. Meeting these demands is no longer an expectation, rather it is business critical for long-term viability.


  • Stakeholders, ranging from customers to employees and investors, demand greater transparency and responsibility regarding social and environmental outcomes. They want to support projects that align with their values and contribute positively to society. By embedding sustainability into project management, businesses satisfy these expectations, fostering trust and strengthening stakeholder relationships.



  • Sustainability also drives significant benefits and business growth. Beyond cutting costs, it encourages research, development and innovation, leading to a stronger reputation and capacity to unlock new opportunities for competitive advantage.


A hand is holding a magnifying glass with a cloud and arrows on it.

So, what’s stopping businesses being more sustainable?

With reference to the list above, sustainability makes good business sense, right? However, current project management standards, both in New Zealand and internationally, oftentimes fail to adequately address sustainability. Sustainability is often compromised due to a combination of factors:


  • Assumed high financial burden


  • Perceived high costs of alternative technologies


  • Lack of research


  • Legislative issues


  • Lack of awareness



  • Poor project performance due to insufficient team competency


Bridging the gap between sustainability and industrial project management

So, how do you bridge the gap between sustainability and industrial project management? This is where DETA’s industrial project management expertise excels. By offering a comprehensive suite of sustainability services in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, DETA tailors its involvement to the business’s needs, whether it’s managing the entire project or handling specific parts. This flexibility allows businesses to focus on their core operations while DETA ensures sustainability remains front and centre throughout the project lifecycle.


Smoke is coming out of a factory with a cloudy sky in the background.

A holistic approach to industrial project management

At DETA, industrial project management is more than coordinating tasks and ensuring timelines are met. It’s about looking beyond the immediate blueprint and focusing on creating long-term value.


  • Defining the project's scope, deliverables, and objectives


  • Undertakingcomprehensive feasibility studies and technology assessments


  • Process engineering concept designs and infrastructure integration for a tailored strategic plan


  • Managing resources


  • Monitoring progress


  • Risk management


  • Communicating so everyone involved understands the project's goals and objectives, and what their role is.


  • Supplying funding support assessments and budget management


  • Ensuring stakeholder satisfaction


  • Evaluating performance including after the project is complete


A key feature of DETA's project management is integrating energy management in Australia and New Zealand and decarbonisation services. By prioritising these early on, companies benefit from immediate energy savings while future-proofing operations against rising costs and stricter environmental regulations.


Decarbonisation and energy efficiency: the core of industrial success

The importance of decarbonisation and energy efficiency in industrial projects cannot be overstated, they are crucial. Whether through energy audits, energy management services, or carbon reduction strategies, the goal is operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Sustainability drives productivity and efficiency, fuelling business growth: the core of industrial success.


Companies aiming to reduce their carbon footprint often lack the technical expertise to identify areas where improvements can be made. This is not a criticism, rather it is recognition that energy and money saving solutions are not always obvious or straightforward.


Brownfield sites or older industrial facilities, require careful handling due to their pre-existing infrastructure and operational constraints. DETA’s extensive experience in managing these complex environments, ensures sustainability projects run smoothly even when faced with site-specific challenges. A recent collaboration with South Canterbury District Health Board is one such example.


A large stainless steel tank is sitting in a factory.

CASE STUDY: SCDHB Timaru, New Zealand

Before New Zealand’s carbon neutrality mandate, Timaru Hospital committed to replacing outdated coal boilers with low-carbon alternatives, cutting emissions from 4,500 tCO2-e annually. The hospital partnered with DETA to eliminate coal emissions and establish reliable infrastructure for heating, hot water, and sterilisation. Key challenges included maintaining uninterrupted health services and matching technologies to varied heating needs across the departments.


The project resulted in cost-effective, sustainable heating solutions and created additional benefits such as an increased standby capacity, reduced energy use, and future expansion flexibility. Timaru Hospital now boasts an efficient, future-proofed system, significantly reducing emissions and coal dependency while maintaining critical services during the transition. You can read more about this exciting sustainability project by clicking here.


Ready to transform your business? Sustainability for success

Sustainability is key to success, and DETA’s strategies help future-proof businesses by embedding sustainable practices into every project. From feasibility studies to execution, DETA’s focus on long-term impact not only boosts clients’ bottom lines but also contributes positively to society and the environment. Our tailored solutions empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace.


We help businesses become their best sustainable version. Through enhanced operational efficiency, carbon management, and wastewater management services, our strategies provide both immediate energy savings and long-term carbon footprint management. These initiatives enhance your business's environmental profile while generating significant cost savings over time.


However, while operational efficiency is at the core of every upgrade, true success lies in effective project execution. The delivery phase is where planning and design come to life. Whether minimising downtime, optimising energy use, or managing water efficiently, our expertise ensures successful project delivery. DETA guarantees each step is monitored and executed to the highest standards—delivering projects with meticulous attention to scheduling, budget, and troubleshooting.


DETA’s approach to sustainability strategy involves looking at the bigger picture, understanding that today’s projects are tomorrow’s legacy. It’s not just about what’s on the blueprint; it’s about going beyond it to deliver industrial projects that stand the test of time—both for your business and the planet.



To learn more about how DETA can help your business become sustainable and more efficient, contact us today; we offer sustainability services and industrial project management in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

Proactive Solutions for New Zealand’s Gas Challenges

by Anne-Maree Ward • 13 December 2024
Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Navigating New Zealand's Gas Challenges New Zealand’s energy market is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Rising gas prices, a steady decline in local gas production, and the country’s ambitious decarbonisation targets are creating significant pressure for businesses to adapt. The era of cheap, reliable gas is fading, and for industries that rely on it, the time to act is now. Businesses need to move beyond merely coping with the changes and start embracing practical, forward-thinking solutions that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and align with New Zealand’s sustainability objectives. While the pressure to reduce fossil fuel dependency grows, there’s an opportunity for businesses to innovate. By adopting energy-efficient technologies and lower carbon alternatives, companies can gain a competitive edge while managing the immediate impacts of the gas crisis and preparing for a future with more sustainable energy sources. The evolving gas landscape: what’s driving the change? New Zealand’s gas sector is in a state of flux, with local production dwindling and no imported natural gas available. On top of this, the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is placing additional pressure on businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. For many businesses, continuing to rely on gas is no longer a sustainable long-term strategy. Now is the time to take a step back and consider alternative energy solutions that provide greater stability and long-term value. The path forward involves shifting away from traditional fossil fuels, investing in energy-efficient technologies, and exploring lower carbon energy alternatives. Energy efficiency: the key to resilience While facing such uncertainty in the energy market, energy efficiency is more than just a cost-saving measure—it’s key to building resilience. By reducing energy consumption, businesses can mitigate the financial impact of rising gas prices, all while contributing to New Zealand’s decarbonisation goals. Achieving energy efficiency means not only cutting down on costs but it also positions businesses as leaders in sustainability, supports the uptake of a continuous improvement mindset across the business, and reduces environmental impact. But considering energy efficiency alone isn’t enough. The real challenge lies in the broader energy supply-demand balance across New Zealand. As businesses look to transition away from gas, the energy must still come from somewhere and the market has to react. This is a massive challenge for NZ Inc but many businesses are looking at ways to be innovative and creative with their energy usage and procurement utilising tools like storage, flexible operation and long term contracts to not only create maximise value for their organisations but also to support New Zealand's energy transition.

Measuring up: the importance of energy audits in business

12 December 2024
Historically, auditing has been seen as an undesirable expense with little perceived value for businesses. With organisations failing to see the benefit of examining the finer details of their operations, and with staff assigned to prepare for the audit feeling like they've drawn the short straw, audits have never been fun. Until now. This is when energy audits enter the room to great fanfare. The shift towards sustainability , driven by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, is reshaping how businesses approach energy consumption, waste management, and carbon footprint, and crucially, their relationship with audits. Energy audits are the one type of audit that delivers positivity; they are one of the most effective tools to help businesses reduce their environmental impact while boosting their bottom line through optimised processes and reducing costs. For organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific , understanding the significance of energy audits and how they lead to long-term cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced sustainability is fundamental to business success. Unpacking energy audits: the key to unlocking sustainability An energy audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a business's energy use and efficiency. Its primary goal is to uncover areas where energy is being wasted and identify opportunities for energy savings. This process is essential for any business aiming to improve its sustainability, reduce operating costs, and meet carbon reduction targets. Whether you are operating a small enterprise or managing a large industrial site, an energy audit provides actionable insights to reduce the environmental impact of the business and improve energy management. There are different types of energy audits, from Lite Audits offering a quick, low-risk assessment, to Detailed Energy Audits, which provide a more thorough and long-term analysis of energy use across the facilities. Both types of audits help you understand current energy consumption patterns and reveal the potential areas for energy efficiency improvements. From insight to action: why energy audits are a business game-changer Energy audits are not just about identifying problems; they are about identifying opportunities for improvement. By performing regular energy audits, businesses can benefit in the following ways: Cost savings One of the most immediate, attractive and tangible benefits of an energy audit is the potential for significant cost savings through the identification of inefficiencies that are costing the business or organisation money. For example, a company may be using outdated lighting or HVAC systems that consume excessive energy. Through equipment upgrades and optimisations , these inefficiencies can be corrected, leading to significant savings on utility bills. Energy audits are also adept at identifying unexpected bottlenecks in industrial processes and are often the first to highlight the potential for process optimisation, improving a business’s overall efficiency and profitability. 
Two construction workers are looking at a blueprint on a construction site.

From concept to completion: achieving industrial projects with sustainable agendas

12 December 2024
In today’s world, the intersection of industrial progress and sustainability has become a critical focus. As businesses and industries expand their reach, the importance of embedding sustainable practices into project management is no longer optional - it’s essential. By integrating sustainability principles from the early stages of a project through to completion, organisations can achieve not only economic gains but also valuable long-term environmental and societal benefits. The role of sustainability in industrial project management Sustainability in project management involves adopting practices that address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations throughout the project lifecycle. This shift reflects a growing recognition that industrial success isn’t just about profitability; it’s about creating enduring value for communities and the ecosystems on which we rely. Industries across New Zealand and Australia are increasingly collaborating with sustainability consultants and ESG consultants to align their projects with global sustainability standards. These professionals guide organisations in setting and achieving ambitious goals, whether it’s reducing carbon footprints, improving resource efficiency, or enhancing social responsibility. For instance, energy consultants in NZ play a pivotal role in industrial projects by conducting energy audits and offering insights into energy-efficient designs, ultimately lowering operational costs and environmental impact. Key strategies for embedding sustainability in industrial projects Implementing sustainability isn’t just about compliance - it’s about innovation. Here’s how industrial project teams incorporate sustainability into their processes: 1. Defining clear sustainability goals Every successful project begins with a clear roadmap. Sustainability goals should align with both organisational values and broader environmental targets, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Collaborating with energy efficiency consultants and process engineering consultants helps businesses define measurable objectives, such as achieving specific reductions in energy consumption or waste. For example, organisations in the manufacturing sector can work with energy management services in NZ or Australia to develop energy audit services to pinpoint inefficiencies and identify greener alternatives. 
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