International project management
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
Chapter 1
Limited
Duration, Scope, Financial Resources, Human Resources
Unique
Objectives, Context,
Organization
Risky
Uncertainty, Complexity
Three main characteristics of a project.
2
What is a project?
An organization has only limited resources. Hence, the project operates
within constraints of resources and time. It is supposed to produce a result
that meets agreed quality standards.
WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT?
A project is typically managed in four phases: 1. Initiating
2. Planning
3. Executing/Controlling
4. Completion
This is also called the ‘project management life cycle’.
3
1. • Initiating
2. • Planning
3. • Executing/ Controlling
4. • Completion
Initial state (company internal idea, customer requirement)
Objective (product, service, result)
P
R
O
J
E
C
T
Strategy, Project portfolio
Organization
4
Project management in the international
organization
WHO ARE THE MAIN PLAYERS WITH THE CONTEXT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT?
They are called ‘project stakeholders’.
In an international project, their set-up is more complicated than in a standard project. Moreover, they tend to have diverging and conflicting ideas about the project.
The project manager needs to map all project stakeholders and manage them carefully.
5
Project Management Team
Project Team Members
Contractors with PM
Subcontractors with PMs
A B C
1 2 3 1 2 31 2 3
Internal customer
Project Owner/
Project Sponsor
Project Manager of
Leading Contractor
Project Owner/
Project Sponsor
External customer/ Investor Users Users
Project Manager
Require-
ments
Require-
ments
Results
Results
Require-
ments
Require-
ments
Results
Results
Require-
ments
Results
Require-
ments
Results
6
An overview of main project stakeholders
Main purposes of international
projects
Search for new geographical presence or
new international stakeholders
Increase of global market share, market power,
global political power or global effectiveness
Realization of efficiency gains
Access to scarce and unique resources
Reduction of risk
7
What are the main purposes of international
projects?
International projects reach beyond national boundaries, usually in terms of project
purpose or nationality of stakeholders. International projects can be global, involving
the entire world.
International Project
Uniqueness
Risk
Complexity
Limited Resources
Dynamics
Diversity
International
Project
8
What are the main characteristics of international projects?
Critical success criteria for
international project
managementGoal commitment of project team and
initial clarity of goals
Establishment of smooth
communications and supporting
infrastructure
Adequate project team capabilities
Consideration of context
Right balance between common methodology and
flexibility
Supportive project culture
9
What do you need to take into account to manage
successfully international projects?