<br /> <h2>Maximize the Success of Your Projects.</h2><br /> <h3><a href="http://www.valuedeliverymanagement.com/" target="_blank">Official consulting partner of TOP™ (Totally Optimized Projects)</a></h3><br /> <h1> </h1><img src="http://static.wix.com/media/daf3ad62da5cc402b378310b34411619.wix_mp_128" alt="varune project leadership nj" /><br /> <h2> </h2><br /> <a href="http://www.varune.com" target="_self"><br /> About Us</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/leadership-team" target="_self"><br /> Leadership Team</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/consulting" target="_self"><br /> Consulting</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/coaching" target="_self"><br /> Coaching</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/testimonials" target="_self"><br /> Testimonials</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/resources" target="_self"><br /> Resources</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/news" target="_self"><br /> News</a>|<a href="http://www.varune.com/contact-us" target="_self"><br /> Contact Us</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <h3>International Projects - Is the World Flat? <a href="http://www.varune.com/vijay-aluwalia" target="_blank">by Vijay Aluwalia</a></h3><p> <a href="http://media.wix.com/ugd/0081c7fd6a5966ac8b58b02e8d663461.ugd?dn=International Projects - Is the World Flat by Vijay Aluwalia (VARUNE).pdf">International Projects - Is the World Flat by Vijay Aluwalia (VARUNE).pdf</a> </p>The World is Flat says Thomas Friedman and many of us would agree. In a flatter world are the challenges in the delivery of international business projects reduced? Some would argue that there should be little distinction in project management, be it domestic or international. I believe a number of challenges and differences exist and can share my experiences. But first, lets put some definition around the term an international project. An international project can be described as being one or more of the following:a project that is being implemented in multiple countriesa project being implemented in an overseas countrya project that utilizes resources from more than one countryNow here are the challenges that can cause disruption for someone managing such projects:CommunicationYes, technology enables us to reap the benefits of video conferences, webinars, voice over the internet, Blackberries, and many other advances. These allow us to be free from the chains of the office or from the constant air travel. However, no amount of technology gets around the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day, the need for sleep, a social and family life, whilst your team and clients are spread across the globe. As project managers you need to communicate in real time. Getting to the people you need to talk to at a reasonable time (for you or them) can be a challenge.When I was working on a project in the UK that utilized resources in India, we had to get up early, or they stayed late or we cramped activity around common working hours. This looks easy but can become frustrating pretty quickly. Another project had stakeholders from Asia, Europe, and North America. Scheduling meetings with stakeholders across regions can be exhausting and takes its toll on you and the progress of the project. Don't let the technology available give you a false sense of security.Cultural AlignmentFor those of us situated in multi-cultural cities this may seem less challenging. Sure, we work with people from various cultural backgrounds and we have an appreciation of their culture. By the way, going to different types of restaurants and saying hello to a colleague from a different part of the world does not count. You have to experience working on international projects first hand to appreciate how different things can be.I worked in a Mediterranean country for over a year. The approach to work was remarkably different than I had experienced in the UK. I learned very quickly not to schedule any meetings at 9am. You may get half the people to attend at that time and if it rained in the morning, people would arrive at 10am. At 11am the whole department disappeared for 30 minutes. This went on for a week before I found out that everyone went for a mid-morning coffee and smoke down at the local café. You can not impose your way of working in this environment.On another project, we outsourced the development of the software to India. The 150 staff was split into 3 shifts of 50, working 24 by 7 to get the work completed in a compressed timeline. I asked one of the guys how the company worked with the employees in arranging this. His words were to the effect, I was told that you would be expected to work from midnight to 8am for the next two weeks followed by an 8am to 4pm shift the next two weeks. If you don't like it then you can leave. We have 5,000 people lined up outside who want your job.As a project manager, you need to be closely in tune with these scenarios, as you need to motivate the team to do the best that they can. As you know there is nothing worse than unhappy people. (Well actually, incompetent and unhappy people are worse).Politics and Local DominanceA project being deployed in many countries has plenty of challenges especially in situations where you are starting from scratch. Each country has its nuances and the goal may be to develop a solution that covers a majority of the common needs with local sub-projects addressing the local distinctions. Be warned that, bigger regions with bigger budgets and bigger political clout try and maneuver the scope in their favor.I found this happening on a global project I was involved in. A larger European entity was browbeating the other countries involved and driving a solution that was far from being one that we could have deployed internationally. It's hard to decipher the political complexities on an international project. Getting a senior stakeholder to assist and work through the politics is crucial. You may find tackling this to be draining and time-consuming; none-the-less, a critical piece in ensuring a successful outcome.With over 17 years of project consulting experience, Vijay Aluwalia is actively engaged with clients in a project and change management capacity, and focuses on coaching leadership and management teams.<br /> <a href=http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/119538433.rss target="_blank">Feed</a><br /> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/_varune" target="_blank"><img src="http://static.wix.com/media/a42fe3b9167347f2bbc04c2171a6c6da.wix_mp_128" alt="twitter icon" /></a>|<a href="http://www.varune-facebook.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://static.wix.com/media/54d89aadb6f25296cbaa6e3e8209b3f8.wix_mp_128" alt="No Frame" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.valuedeliverymanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://static.wix.com/media/f29e1c_b5ca5725d6ac3ac779cbc739663d88c5.jpg_128" alt="" /></a>|<a href="http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/cool-vendors/" target="_blank"><img src="http://static.wix.com/media/f29e1c_108e68c21112a123c9d41dd2094842c9.png_128" alt="" /></a><br /> <p>© 2011 VARUNE Project Leadership | Phone: (609) 799-4747 | <a href="#" target="_blank">info_varune.com</a></p>
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