What Is GPM?

Founded in 2009, GPM® is the world’s leading organization driving sustainability within the project management profession and advocating for the project profession within the sustainability domain. We believe that projects are the engines of change, and when managedSEUK Certified business for good badge responsibly, they can solve the world’s most urgent challenges—from climate change to social inequality.

Our mission is fourfold:

  • Advance sustainability in the project profession through standards, tools, and frameworks that embed social, environmental, and economic responsibility into project delivery.
  • Advocate for project management in the sustainability domain, positioning project professionals as critical change agents in addressing global challenges.
  • Professionalize sustainability through competence development, ensuring that project professionals have the skills, knowledge, and certifications needed to deliver meaningful, lasting impact.
  • Develop sustainability competences for all roles and industries, extending our expertise beyond the project profession to empower professionals in every sector to integrate sustainability into their work.

Through our pioneering frameworks—including the internationally recognized P5™ Standard and PRiSM™ methodology—as well as our training programs, certifications, and advocacy efforts, we empower individuals and organizations to deliver projects that regenerate, rather than deplete, our world.

What We Do

As a social enterprise, we are committed to evolving the project management profession and driving sustainable development through principled and value-based methods. Our work spans award-winning standards, competence-based certifications, organizational assessments, and advisory services—all designed to make sustainability the standard in every project and beyond.

Advancing Sustainability in Project Management
We embed sustainability into project, program, and portfolio management through our P5 Standard, ensuring projects address their social, environmental, and economic impacts. Our PRiSM methodology (PRojects integrating Sustainable Methods) provides a structured, outcomes-focused approach to sustainable project delivery.

Advocating for Project Management in Sustainability Initiatives
We champion the role of project professionals as essential contributors to achieving global sustainability goals, from the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. We help organizations integrate project management practices into their ESG strategies, enabling them to deliver on their sustainability commitments effectively and transparently.

Professionalizing Sustainability Through Competence Development (Within the Project Profession)
We develop and certify sustainability competences for project professionals, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to deliver projects that are socially equitable, environmentally regenerative, and economically viable. Our certification programs, including the GPM-b™ (Sustainable Project Management™) credential, are recognized globally for their focus on sustainability as a core project management competence.

Building Sustainability Competences Beyond the Project Profession (For All Roles and Industries)
We extend our sustainability expertise beyond project management to develop sustainability competences for all professions. Our training, workshops, and advisory services help professionals in diverse roles—from executives and procurement specialists to engineers, designers, and policymakers—integrate sustainability principles into their daily work. We work with corporations, governments, and educational institutions to embed sustainability into leadership development programs, operational processes, and organizational culture.

What Makes Us Unique

A Mission-Driven Social Enterprise
As a certified social enterprise, we exist to create positive environmental and social impact—not just profit. Our commitment is more than a statement; it is a legal and operational mandate—at least 50% of our profits are reinvested into sustainability initiatives, education, and advocacy.

Global Leaders in Sustainable Project Management Standards
We are the creators of the P5 Standard for Sustainability in Project Management, which expands the traditional project success metrics of time, cost, and scope to include Planet, People, Prosperity, Processes, and Products. Our PRiSM methodology is one of the first globally recognized project management approaches designed specifically for sustainable outcomes.

Pioneers in Sustainability Competence Development—Within and Beyond the Project Profession
We professionalize sustainability by developing competence frameworks, certifications, and training programs that build the skills necessary for sustainable outcomes. Our certification programs align with global standards, including IFRS S2 climate-related disclosures, ISSB sustainability frameworks, and the UN SDGs. We empower professionals in all roles—not just project managers—to integrate sustainability into their work, ensuring that sustainability becomes a universal business competence.

A Global Community of Change Agents
With over 10,000 professionals certified and a presence in 113 countries, we are building a global network of sustainability champions within and beyond the project profession. We collaborate with governments, corporations, and NGOs to deliver projects that create lasting impact, from Net Zero initiatives in the energy and real estate sectors to ESG-aligned transformations in banking and manufacturing.

Why Social Enterprises Matter

Social enterprises combine the impact-driven mission of nonprofits with the business acumen of for-profits, ensuring that their success is measured not only by profit but by positive environmental and social outcomes.

To qualify as a social enterprise, an organization must:

  • Generate a significant portion of its income from business activities.
  • Reinvest or donate at least 50% of its profits toward its social or environmental mission.
  • Govern decisions based on impact, not just shareholder returns.

At GPM, our entire business model is built around creating impact. Our profits fund educational initiatives, research, and advocacy to advance Sustainable Project Management globally.

Our Mission and Vision

At GPM, our mission is clear:

  • Advance sustainability in the project profession through standards, tools, and frameworks that make sustainability integral to every project.
  • Advocate for project management within the sustainability domain, ensuring project professionals are recognized as key contributors to solving global challenges.
  • Professionalize sustainability through competence development, equipping project professionals with the skills to deliver sustainable outcomes.
  • Build sustainability competences beyond the project profession, ensuring that professionals across all industries and roles can integrate sustainability into their work.

Our vision is a future where:

  • Every project delivers positive environmental, social, and economic impacts.
  • Project professionals are recognized as key drivers of sustainability outcomes.
  • Sustainability is a core competence for all professionals, regardless of role or industry.

Join Us on Our Journey

At GPM, we believe that projects shape the world—and project professionals shape the future. But sustainability doesn’t stop at project management. It’s a universal business skill that belongs in every profession and every role.

  • Become GPM-certified and lead sustainable projects with confidence.
  • Incorporate the P5 Standard into your organization’s sustainability strategy.
  • Train your teams—from procurement to leadership—to embed sustainability into their work.
  • Join our global community of sustainability champions.

Let’s advance sustainability together—one project, one profession, and one role at a time.

 

Updated March 14, 2025