Part 1: The Business Foundations

Implementing an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) platform is often a turning point for an organization. For many, it marks a shift from spreadsheets, ad-hoc processes, or even a complete absence of structured ESG data—into a new era of visibility, accountability, and strategic action.

This two-part series explores the essential ingredients for success. In Part 1, I focus on the organizational and operational foundations that shape a smooth implementation journey. In Part 2, I’ll dive into data readiness—what to prepare, what to expect, and how to set yourself up for long-term value.

Introduction

The ESG software market is still relatively young. Most organizations are early in their maturity curve and may be adopting tools like this for the very first time. That unfamiliarity can make the implementation process feel overwhelming—especially when you’re transitioning from simple spreadsheets or manual processes.

But with the right preparation, the experience can be transformative.

This guide highlights the actions, decisions, and mindsets that will help you confidently navigate your implementation once you’ve selected your preferred ESG platform.

You’ve signed the contract. You’ve aligned a budget. You’re ready to begin.

Now the real work—and the real opportunity—starts.

Tip 1: Prepare for Change

Before a single configuration step begins, the first shift is mental.

Humans are creatures of habit. When we move from spreadsheets or legacy tools into a dedicated ESG platform, the instinct is often to recreate what we already know. “Can you make it work just like our current process?” is a common refrain.

But replicating old methods in a new system can undermine the very value you’re trying to unlock.

A modern ESG platform may structure data differently, automate previously manual steps, or guide you toward industry-aligned workflows. At first, this can feel unfamiliar—even counterintuitive. But resist the temptation to force the platform to mimic your past practices.

Instead, lean into the system’s design and follow the guidance of implementation experts. Focus on outcomes rather than old habits. Embracing the learning curve early will pay dividends later.

Think of it as going with the grain rather than against it.

Tip 2: Know Your Requirements

You didn’t decide to implement an ESG platform for fun—you did it to solve real challenges or achieve specific outcomes. Even if you don’t yet know how the platform works, you should know what you need from it.

Clearly articulating your goals and expectations is one of the most important steps in ensuring a successful implementation.

Common requirements might include:

• Meeting disclosure frameworks or regulatory compliance needs
• Capturing specific types of data (e.g., to support Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions)
• Engaging internal stakeholders, suppliers, or partners in your ESG ecosystem
• Rolling out the platform across multiple regions, business units, or functions

Incomplete or unclear requirements, often lead to disappointing outcomes, so share as much as you can—your priorities, constraints, timelines, and future ambitions. Your implementation team can distill this information and design a solution that fits today while supporting tomorrow.

Tip 3: Identify Who Will Own the Platform

No ESG platform is "set and forget." After implementation, it needs ongoing administration, stewardship, and governance.

Before your project kicks off, identify your platform owner—or ideally, your ownership team. These individuals should take part in the implementation from day one so they can:

• Understand configuration decisions
• Learn system behaviors
• Receive hands-on training
• Build confidence for long-term management

A well-prepared administrator or team of administrators is one of the strongest predictors of a platform’s long-term success.

Tip 4: Don’t Overlook Organizational Change Management

Technology alone doesn’t create ESG transformation—people and processes do.

As you implement your platform, review your internal workflows to ensure they support the long-term maintenance and accuracy of your ESG data. For example:

• Data entry routines: If facility managers must extract data from invoices, ensure that capturing ESG data becomes part of their established process—not an afterthought.
• Internal communication channels: The admin team must be informed of organizational changes—new sites, divestitures, supplier updates, acquisitions—so they can update the platform in a timely manner.

Anything that affects your ESG profile must ultimately flow into the platform. This requires coordination, clear roles, and consistent communication.

In many organizations, this is the biggest cultural and operational shift—and the one most often overlooked.

Tip 5: Set Realistic Adoption Goals

ESG is gaining momentum worldwide, and many organizations are eager to accelerate progress. But enthusiasm can sometimes turn into unrealistic expectations.

Remember: strong ESG capabilities are built over time, not overnight.

The “crawl, walk, run” model applies perfectly here. It’s better to start with foundational elements—core data, essential reporting, baseline processes—and expand as your organization grows more mature.

Your initial implementation doesn’t need to solve every ESG ambition at once. In fact, it shouldn’t.

Focus on creating a stable, sustainable foundation. Choose a platform that can scale, evolve, and grow with you over the next two, five, or ten years.

ESG is a journey. Let the platform support that evolution at the right pace.

Conclusion

Implementing an ESG platform may feel daunting at first, but a thoughtful and well-prepared approach will set you up for long-term success. In this first part of our series, I explored the business-side preparations—from mindset shifts to governance, process changes, and realistic goal setting.

In Part 2, I’ll turn my attention to data: what to gather, how to organize it, and how to prepare for the unique demands of ESG information management.

Your ESG transformation starts here—one step, one process, and one insight at a time.

IBM Expert Labs is the services division of IBM Software and provides implementation services for the IBM Envizi ESG platform. IBM Envizi has been consistently recognized as a leader in the sustainability data management, reporting and carbon accounting domains by independent analysts for over a decade.