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?