GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGEMENTDr. Lauren Talia, D.B.A.

What is Global Team?

A global team is when the Project Manager (PM) or leader is managing his/her team in minimum of two or more countries.

When the distance among the team members in which, travel is required for physical contact. The use of direct phone calls, conference calls,

and video conferencing become essential cost-saving tools.Project Management -Best Practices:

Achieving Global Excellence, 2nd Edition.Harold R. Kerzner

John Wiley & SonsNov 4, 2010

Global Project Management

The single-region world we used to know has became more global. Technology builds bridges by preventing unnecessary

travel and saves time. Allows customers and companies to work together in

more efficient and profitable manner. Conference Calls, multiple people to join call in remote

locations. Video Conferencing, avoids unnecessary travel and cuts cost. Instant Messages (IM), avoids distraction of face-to-face

Q&A. Short Message Service (SMS), is a text messaging service

component for cellular phone. Email, prevents the use of mailing letter or sending faxes.

Managing Global Teams

PM’s Must Track. Performance-how is project coming

along. Communication-prevents

miscommunication and tracks progress. Accuracy-correctness of quality. Productivity-production and return on

investment (ROI). Deadlines-targets, short-term goals/long-

term goals. Attendance-employee presences at work.

Have Respect for Everyone No matter, what you do always have respect

for each cultures Holidays, each country has different Government

holidays. Activities, your team members should participate. Do not let, work boundaries filter into home and/or

life boundaries. Showing that you have respect for your

team Recognizing, that there is a life outside work.

Employees who feel you care, will work that extra mile when needed. 

Time Zones

When managing global team you will be making conference call at all hours of the day. India as late as 11 p.m. Egypt as earlier as 4 a.m.

Prepare for conference call. Have all necessary documents at reach, to issue any

concerns immediately. Always be well-rested to think clearly and critically. Be Prepared to answer difficult to challenging questions.

Escalate those questions or concerns to the appropriate party. Scheduled for two meetings at the same time

Leverage the calls to your team members. Stress the importance to your team about jotting notes on

“ACTION ITEMS” and “QUESTIONS UNANSWERED”.

Different Language Barriers

International companies usually establish a common language for the exchange of information. English Spanish Mandarin

The effectiveness of

communication by most non-English speakers. Understanding non-verbal

communication Vocabulary Ability to make analogies Tell stories Understand jokes

Create Team Synergy

No matter where your teams are located. Conduct virtual live meetings. Have a few strategic gatherings for all the

members on each team to meet. Build the bridge on trust. Investing upfront in your team will also go

a long way toward success. Especially, when the tasks or timelines become critical.

Leadership by Exception

Some Successful PM’s use Tracking Tools By creating the right metrics, gathers the

right information. Keeps everyone apprised of the status of the

program.

There is no reason to have an exorbitant amount of status meetings. Stop doing

it!

Project Management -Best Practices: Achieving Global ExcellenceHarold R. Kerzner

John Wiley & Sons2nd Edition. Nov 4, 2010

Set Goals & Celebrate AchievementRegardless, of where your Global Team is located have:

Vision, of what needs to be accomplished. Goals, are articulated. Follow-up, the goals are being met.

When there are challenges: Reach out, to the team virtually, to gather

brainstorming ideas. Suggestions, always offer solutions and

comments to improve processes and streamline procedures.

Questions Arises

If something goes wrong? The PM or Superior, must be made aware, ASAP. NO EXCEPTIONS! Provide your PM or Superior with choices of solutions to solve the

problem or challenge. Provide brisk evaluation of the Pro’s and Con’s to each solution.

Attain approval prior to informing the Customer or Sr. Management, and Executive Management of the situation. Do not go over your superiors head, without making them aware of the

situation. Who would you recommend to escalate the task or questions. When trying to attain answer quickly.

Send SMS, send IM, send email, and contact individuals directly by phone.

For example, sitting in meeting you silently send email, SMS, or instant message to attain prompt response fast.

Benefits of Global Project Management Companies that used to operate in only one

country in the 90’s and earlier. In the 21st century companies operate

globally. The benefits for operating globally.

Helps to increase the consumer bases. Increases sales.

Decreases operational costs. Manufacturing for product Labor Employee Benefits

Healthcare, Dental, and Vision 401k, Pension, and Purchase of Company Stocks Personal-Time-Off (PTO), Sick Leave, and Vacation Leave

CONT. Benefits of Global Project Management

Satisfied customers, whether you are the customer of your own project.

Completing project on-time, by staying on budget.

Recruiting subject matter experts for specific areas.

Benefits for Managing Global Teams

Accesses New Skill Levels New perspective on situations. Local knowledge of distant users.

Provides 24-hour coverage using normal shift workers More gets done, as other countries sleep. Overseas few specific projects for the

organization. Lower Operational Costs

Lower taxes Employee wages Lower benefits costs

Project Management Historical

In the1940’s Line Managers (LM) functioned as PM’s used the

concept “over-the fence” to manage projects. Each LM

Would perform the work necessitated by his/her team.

When completed The LM would throw the ball (project) over the

fence for the next team to complete their section. Once, the ball was thrown over the fence

The LM would wash their hands of any responsibility from that project. Project Management -Best Practices:

Achieving Global Excellence, 2nd Edition.Harold R. Kerzner

John Wiley & SonsNov 4, 2010

How did the Project Fail?

If a Project Failed? The blame was immediately placed on whichever

LM that had the ball, at the that time. What are the Problems with this

Scenario? The LM’s are at fault for other LM’s mistakes and

errors. The wrong LM’s are answering the questions,

from the customers. There is no Quality Assurance (QA) in affect.

QA would have verified the work was completed in accurately fashion to the customers expectations. Project Management -Best Practices:

Achieving Global Excellence, 2nd Edition.Harold R. Kerzner

John Wiley & SonsNov 4, 2010

Problems with Line Managers

Responsibility Customer had no Signal Point of Contacts to Ask Questions. Customers wanted first-hand explanation from

the specific LM, who had the ball. Once, that ball was thrown that LM is no

longer associated to that project or would answer any questions.

Bad Management and Customer Service!

Project Management -Best Practices: Achieving Global Excellence, 2nd Edition.Harold R. Kerzner

John Wiley & SonsNov 4, 2010

Challenges with Managing Global Team

Global Team Communication is Hard Involves multiple languages. Can be expensive.

Time Differences are Inconvenient Being located in India and calling the United States

In India time is 11 p.m. and the United States its 1p.m. In Dubai its 1 a.m. and the United States its 1p.m. Australia 4 a.m. and the United States its 8 a.m.

Work Styles Cultural variations may lead to difficulties. Prevent misunderstandings by following-up with

emails.

Jobs in Global Project Management

Global Project Manager

Global Logistics Analyst

Global Marketing Global Supply Chain Global Sales and

Marketing Global Operations

Excellence

Global Training and Development

Global Hosting-Storage Job

Global Tax Accounting

Global IT Service Manager

Global Risk Management

Global Sales

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR SUGGESTIONS?

REFERENCES

Kerzner, H. (2010). Project management - best practices: Achieving global excellence . (2nd ed.). United States of America: John Wiley & Sons.

Kendrick, T. (2010). The project management tool kit: 100 tips and techniques for getting the job done right. (2nd ed.). United States: Amoncon.

REFERENCES

PMI. (2013). Global project management . Retrieved from http://www.pmi.org/Knowledge-Center/Knowledge-Shelf/Global-Project-Management.aspxhttp://www.pmi.org/Knowledge-Center/Knowledge-Shelf/Global-Project-Management.aspx

Sabitino, J. (2012). Successful project management . (5th ed.). United States of America: South-Western-Cengage Learning.