International Project Management

International

Project Management

International project management (IPM)

is the management of projects that involve multi-national resources and teams working together to attain the project goals.

Examples of international projects

IP 1

Canadian company completes the entire project in another country and brings the product back to Canada (e.g. a tire is built in another country and brought back to Canda to be sold)

IP 2

An international company is located in Canada, completes work in Canada and then brings the product back to its home country (e.g. lumber products are created in Canada and then shipped back to the international country to be sold)

IP 3

Canadian company completes work in an international country for the international country (i.e. Canadian company builds a bridge in another country)

IP 4

Canadian company completes components of a project in Canada and the rest in another country (i.e. a Canadian company builds components of a software package in Canada and abroad)

Poll

Where can an IPM be located? (see previous chart)

• in Canada

• in other country

• both

Open Ended

Why perform international projects?

Why perform international projects?

• international organizations may have large pool of resources

• international organizations can provide rare or scarce skills

• the product or service was originally purchased by the company from the international organization

• projects can provide non-stop work (24/7) due to time zone difference

• lower cost

Open Ended

What challenges can international projects have?

Challenges

• time zone difference makes teams difficult to communicate and collaborate

• language barriers

• cultural differences (holidays)

• risks

• politics

• law

• accounting standards

Power distance

A society with a high power distance index has a visible power gap between the senior stakeholders and rest of the members.

In such society, people usually accept a hierarchical order in which everyone has a place that needs no further justification. 

A low index of power distance means a flat curve for power distribution, and everybody has a say in the project.

Individualism vs collectivism

In a culture of high individualism, it is important to engage each head into substantial work. In a culture focusing on the latter, you engage only with the key personnels who delegate the work to the rest of the team.

Masculinity vs femininity

A country with high masculinity has most of the decision-making members that are male. Their decision is welcomed more, compared to the female heads. 

In business context, ‘masculinity vs femininity’ is often considered synonymous to ‘tough vs tender’ cultures.

An example of a masculine country is Japan. On the other hand, Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden are considered highly feminine.

Uncertainty avoidance

making a background (rules) to avoid any kind of uncertainty in business. 

A culture with a high degree of uncertainty avoidance believe in the set rules and are less adaptable to changes. 

A culture with a less uncertainty avoidance is more flexible to changes and adapts to them if the business demands so. 

Long vs short-term orientation

Some countries prefer long-term projects with long deadlines and partnership. Asian countries mostly fall under this category.

Short-term projects are favoured by countries like America and Morocco and they prefer doing value gig jobs.

Indulgence vs restraint

The extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses is related to this dimension.

A greater control means restraint and such culture follows strict social norms, whereas a lesser grip on people’s emotions and gratification of needs is indulgence. 

Country comparison tool

https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/

How can Cultural Dimensions help in IPM?

In the initial phase when you decide on the countries for an international project, cultural analysis of each country helps to choose the most cohesive combination.

For example, for a short-term project, if you approach China (that values long-term projects more), you may not succeed in getting a conversion of your proposal. 

Also, if you are heading to start an international change project, choosing the countries with low uncertainty avoidance score would be wiser as they would be ready for changes. 

Implementation of IPM

• Handle the cultural differences, country law, finances, politics, language and timezone etc.

• Define the project

• Determine the project leaders

• Set up a hierarchy

• Define the project plan

• Execute the project