In a time when being sustainable is essential, our new article, Developing Sustainable Products looks at the importance of making products and business plans with sustainability in mind. It talks about sustainability in three focus dimensions: economic, social, and environmental.
- Economic sustainability refers to products that are intentionally designed to be long-lasting, reusable, and can be recycled.
- Social sustainability refers to products that prioritize workers’ and the affected communities’ well-being and rights and bring benefits to society.
- Environmental sustainability refers to products that minimize negative impacts on the planet and its natural resources throughout its lifecycle.
As consumer, investor, government, and employee expectations for sustainable products increase, organizations are increasingly called upon to prioritize economic, social, and environmental benefits throughout the entire product lifecycle. This focus aligns well with the Lean-Agile practices described in SAFe, emphasizing iterative innovation, reduction of waste, and customer-centricity.
The article doesn’t just highlight the importance of this integration; it offers concrete strategies to make it happen. We explore how leveraging design thinking can unlock innovative approaches to sustainability and how empathy and journey maps can reveal new areas for improvement in existing and future products.
This push for sustainable products isn’t about ticking regulatory boxes. It’s a powerful tool for building deeper brand loyalty and trust. By putting the well-being of workers, communities, and the environment first, we’re not just creating products; we’re crafting a legacy of making a difference. Here’s to a future where every product is designed to leave a positive mark on the world.
— Rebecca Davis and the Framework Team