ABSTRACT
A management system provides the means by which organisation can formalise, document and improve its management practices. It facilitates the delivery of continuous improvement in overall business performance, providing the means for various things to happen. Adopting a management systems approach by tapping into and supplementing existing management and governance arrangements will help to strengthen the link between sustainability strategy and action. An earlier DoShort, Making the Most of Standards – The Sustainability Professional's Guide provides an insight into the world of sustainability standards. This DoShort provides an introduction to management systems thinking and concepts to help more effectively deliver on sustainability ambitions, from a non-standards viewpoint. Attempts have been made to simplify terminology used in this Short as much as possible. A good management system should go hand in hand with good organisational governance. Adopting a management systems approach will help to be more formalised and systematic in how and when to do things.
