Transcript PMP Presentation Managing Global Projects

Managing Global Projects
New York City PMI Chapter
Professor Martin Flank MBA, PMP
April 20, 2016
Who Is This Up Here Guy?
Professor Martin Flank MBA, PMP
• 30 + years Project Manager in Financial Services
• Adjunct Professor Information Systems Pace University
• Previous Program Director with NYC PMI Chapter
(Professional Training / PMP Study Group)
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What are the Unique Challenges of Managing a Global
Project?
• Language & communication
• Local culture, customs
• Local Government Regulations
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What Makes Global Project Communications A
Challenge?
• English Business Language may be a second
language for project team members
• Project team members unfamiliar with American
English vs Standard English
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What management tools mitigate Communication Challenges
within a global project?
• Define communication strategy for the project
• Detail execution milestones within the Communication Plan
• Sustained use of a Project Repository to store:
• Business Terminology
• Critical technical project definitions
• Organizational Details
• Policies & Procedures
• Organization charts
• Contact information
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What other project management best practices foster team
communication?
• Standardize templates and project reporting formats
• Keep business writing concise
• Bulleted formats
• Visual documentation – flow diagrams and charts
• Strive for Standard English vs American English to eliminate
unfamiliar or “slang” terminology
• Actively seek feedback on communication effectiveness and
implement recommended improvements
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How does a global project manager foster interpersonal
communication on a virtual team?
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What are some recommended best practices?
• Video conferencing – schedule across different team member time
zones
• Create a Project Team Web Site with :
• Short biographies with picture of each team member
• Work location and contact information
• Foster face to face meetings as feasible
• Project manager / key leads travel to team and key stakeholder locations
• Encourage team members to be aware of and actively avoid using non
standard English terms
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What are the Legal and Regulatory Challenges of a Global
Project?
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Restrictions on:
• Transferring business information outside a country
• Importing/exporting technology restrictions
• Licenses required to do business in a country
• Record retention requirements
Financial reporting
• Local taxes, tariffs
Currency and banking regulations
• Required to pay project expenses in local currency
Definition and enforcement of:
• Contracts
• Business criminal activities
Visa requirements / restrictions on non citizens working in country
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What are the best methods to address legal/regulatory risk?
• Maintain ongoing communication and relationship with
• Company Legal Department
• In-country legal counsel
• Identify and understand laws & regulations with potential impact to the
project
• Ensure project is compliant with local laws & regulations. Include
within Project Plan required and maintain diligent follow up.
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Tasks
Risk Management
Deliverables
Documentation
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What other project management best practices can be used
to manage this external project risk?
• Ensure Project Team Members are up to date on compliance and
regulatory training pertaining to currency and banking regulations
• Familiar with organizations process and procedures for contracts and
enforcement both internally and externally
• Aware of differences in local criminal and civil laws
• Political climate of the country the project team members are physically
located
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What Diversity Challenges does managing a Global Project
present to a Project Manager?
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Differences in work culture and how project team members evaluate project
issue resolution
• Business hours differ due to teams in different time zones
location;
• Different work week definition – Friday is a non work day and
Saturday/Sunday is a work day in some countries outside the
US
• Different holiday calendars
• Subject material for a conversation can be inappropriate or insulting to
team members from different cultures
• Inappropriate cultural language / behaviors
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How does a Global Project Manager embrace diversity?
• Be sensitive to and motivate team members to embrace
cultural diversity
• Ensure all project team members understand each team
member’s cultural background
• Communicate benefits of cultural diversity to a project
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How does a global project manager foster diversity on a
global team?
• Ensure project team conflict resolution is:
oEffective
oBeneficial
oCultural sensitive
• Ensure performance feedback:
oCulturally sensitive
oEach team member is treated fairly
oEnsures a level playing field for all
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How does a Global Manager build understanding around
Cultural Diversity Challenges?
Research and build understanding around
•Cultural morays, religions and characteristics
•Political system
•Country’s laws and acceptable pubic behavior
•Dress, dietary laws, conversational protocol
•Appropriate gender behavior
•Daily work hours
•Climatic conditions & seasons
• Avoid informal conversations pertaining to:
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Governments
Politics
Culture
Religion
Laws
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A Project Manager is responsible for creating an
environment in which all team members can be
successful
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