International Project Management Report: Challenges and Strategies

This report critically analyzes international project management, emphasizing the complexities faced by project managers in diverse cultural and geographical environments. It highlights the importance of considering time, finance, and quality. The report delves into the challenges of managing international projects, including cultural differences, communication issues, and geographical dispersion. It uses the Bruj Khalifa project as a case study to illustrate the roles of project managers and team members, emphasizing the need for effective planning, resource allocation, and risk management. The report also discusses the iterative process of planning, measuring, monitoring, and controlling, with a focus on the planning stage, including the review of existing projects, prioritization of needs, resource allocation, and team development. The significance of project control systems and continuous improvement is also emphasized, highlighting the need for adaptability and effective communication to ensure project success.

PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Cultural aspects...........................................................................................................................6
Communication...........................................................................................................................8
Geographical dispersed teams.....................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The global business environment has developed growing need for entities in which
corporations can operate their projects in variety of cultural, geographical locations. Project
manager has to face number of complexity while working in the international environment but
skills and capabilities of individual assists them in completing the projects successfully on time.
Time, finance and quality are three essential factors that need to be considered while managing
international projects (Lin and et.al, 2014). Present report will critically discuss about
international project management. Role of project manager and team members will be described
in this assignment. Cultural aspects, communication, geographical dispersion will be illustrated
in this study in context to international project management.
MAIN BODY
International project management
Competition is too high and many of the organizations are moving towards global
business world. Now enterprises are taking more interest in international projects. Working with
such projects is quit difficult for the project manager and team members because individual has
to deal with critical cultural differences, communication issues etc (Hoegl and Muethel, 2016).
But it gives chance to the project manager that to build leadership skills and develop new skills
within them.
I was working as project manager of Bruj Khalifa project, while working in a team many
things were learned by me. That has helped me in enhancing my skills and resolving issues soon.
While working on this project it has been learned that standards of international projects are very
high as compare to domestic projects. That can help the individual in gaining wide knowledge
about tools, technique, software etc (Lappe and Spang, 2014). Project manager has to face many
challenges while working on the international projects. Because cultural, communication,
geographical issues create trouble for the person. On other hand it has been identified that due to
these issues project does not get completed on time and does not give expected results as well.
For making it successful, team members have to contribute well and utilize their skills
effectively.
It has been learned that while working on the international projects individual has to
understand scope of the project (Serrador and Turner, 2015). At the starting point it is necessary
to understand scope of the work so that clear strategies and planning can be made. For an
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international project it is essential that one be careful, discuss the topic with team members
clearly, find out client expectation then person has to make any planning. So that it can make
good strategy that can support in meeting with the needs of clients (Chih and Zwikael, 2015).
But it can be critically evaluated that it is not always possible to involve all team members in the
discussion. Some times due to time issue manager and team members work as per their own
understandings and take own decision that create trouble in the future. It is essential for the
project manager that to communicate with the local public as well so that their expectation can
be addressed. But cultural and communication issues create trouble that is why individual gets
failed to understand their point of view (Jervis. and Art, 2015).
International project management is beneficial for the entities because that helps the team
members in understanding utilization techniques of resources and helps in reducing cost of the
organization as well. Whenever, company works in the global environment then team members
needs to be capable so that they can perform well in the international world. It has been learned
that international management of projects develops knowledge about advanced techniques and
tool so that project can be completed on time and can give expected results (Conforto and et.al,
2016). It develops high level expertise among all team members and they become able to handle
complex projects easily. It develops knowledge about the latest technologies that can enhance
efficiency level of work. Bruj Khalifa was the international project for the project team, hey have
learned about modern architecture designs, technologies that can find out fault in existing
building etc.
Illustration 1: Impact of culture difference in international project management
Source: (Understanding the impact of culture in international projects, 2015)
§
On other hand it has been learned that international projects are costly as compare to
domestic projects because in these, manager requires lots of monitory, physical resources. Apart
from this many complications may get arisen that may harm the overall scope of entire project
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as well. In the absence of effective controlling manger will not be able to make it successful
(Khan and Rasheed, 2015). Due to new geographical location, new culture, communication gap,
manager fails to understand the requirements of the project thus, it becomes unrealistic from
starting date. That is why individual faces delay issues and due to this project does not get
completed on time.
Role of project manager and team members while working in international project
International project management is unique experience for the project manager and team
of Bruj Khalif project. Global projects require good coordination and good communication
among team members and managers so that no confusions take place and overall objective of the
project can be achieved (Wearne, 2014). It has been learned that people has to work as team so
that misunderstandings can be minimized and goal of the project can be achieved significantly.
Role of project managers are discussed as below:
 Project manager of international project has to apply best practices so that individual can
get achievements. It has been learned that project manager is the responsible person for
the entire project and individual has to loop upon various practices before applying it
into the workplace so that best results can be come out (Zhang and et.al, 2015).
 While working on the international project of Bruj Khalifa it has been learned by the
project manager that individual has to give training to the team members so that they
can develop new skills and can contribute well in achieving goal of the entity. In
addition to this, person has to attend global conferences time to time so that individual
can get to know about latest modifications and can plan the activities accordingly. It will
support in completely the project without any complications. It has been learned that in
the absence of good knowledge about political background, legal regulations, economic
condition of particular country so that project manager can plan activities accordingly
and can circulate information to team members via training accordingly (Elbanna,
20150.
 It is the duty of project manager that to use right tool and templates which suits t the
international projects. In the absence of appropriate tools and techniques manger will not
be able to fulfil its responsibilities well. That may affect overall objective of the project
and by this way manager will not be able to complete the project on time in the global
environment (Vanhoucke, Coelho and Batselier, 2016).
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 Being a project manager of Bruj khalifa project it has been learned that project manager
has to circulate necessary information to all team members so that people can get to
know about updated information and can learn from lessons.
 Managing project risk is another responsibility of project manager. When person has to
work on international projects then they have to face many challenges such as cultural,
communication problems etc. But skills and knowledge of manager can help in
managing risk effectively ad preparing such strategies that can support in reducing the
risk to great extent (Katz, 2016).
Team members play significant role in the international projects, their responsibilities are below
maintained:
 It has been learned about international projects that team members have o contribute well
in achieving overall objective of the project. It is the duty of team members that support
manager and follow instructions given by seniors.
 Team members of international project Bruj Khalifa have to complete deliverables so hat
project can be completed on time (Managing International Teams: The Importance Of
Cultural Management And Communications, 2011). It is the duty of project team that to share status of task with seniors and other team
members so that they be updated and perform their work in systematic manner.
Learning or experience on iterative process of international project planning and controlling
Planning, measuring, monitoring, controlling are major elements that support the project
manager in completing the task in effective manner so that overall goal can be achieved.
Planning is one of the essential factor that can influence overall project to great extent. From the
international project of Bruj Khalifa it has been learned that if planning is not right then
individual will not be able to move further in order to complete it successfully (CROSS
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR
MANAGING INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, 2017).
Project plan:
Name of tasks Time
duration
Starting
date
Finish date Predecessors
Improvement in Bruj Khalifa project 68 days Wed
4/13/16
Fri 7/15/16
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Planning stage 15 days Wed
4/13/16
Tue 5/3/16
Reviewing existing project 4 days Wed 4/13/16 Mon
4/18/16
Needs Prioritization 3 days Tue 4/19/16 Thu 4/21/16 3
Resources allocation 5 days Fri 4/22/16 Thu 4/28/16 4
Team development 3 days Fri 4/29/16 Tue 5/3/16 5
Implantation stage 17 days Fri 4/29/16 Mon
5/23/16
Detail specification 4 days Fri 4/29/16 Wed 5/4/16 5
Checking of compatibility 4 days Wed 5/4/16 Mon 5/9/16 6
Designing of Database 5 days Tue 5/10/16 Mon
5/16/16
8,9
Development of system process 5 days Tue 5/17/16 Mon
5/23/16
10
Testing Stage 19 days Tue 5/24/16 Fri 6/17/16
Testing of code 2 days Tue 5/24/16 Wed 5/25/16 11
System testing 2 days Thu 5/26/16 Fri 5/27/16 13
Installation 5 days Mon
5/30/16
Fri 6/3/16 14
Management feedback 5 days Mon 6/6/16 Fri 6/10/16 15
Improvement stage 5 days Mon
6/13/16
Fri 6/17/16 16
Monitoring and controlling stage 20 days Mon
6/20/16
Fri 7/15/16
loopholes finding 5 days Mon
6/20/16
Fri 6/24/16 17
Removing lacking points 10 days Mon
6/27/16
Fri 7/8/16 19
Maintenance 5 days Mon
7/11/16
Fri 7/15/16 2
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Planning
It has been learned by the project manager while working on the international project that
management has to review the existing project. It has been experienced that designing of the
existing Bruj Khalif building is not appropriate and space problem is here. That is why
consumers are not satisfied to that much extent. It has been learned that manager has to review
existing building completing and find out loop fall before making the planning. Once review has
been done then individual has to priorities needs so that resource allocation can be done
effectively. There are many activities which require more financial resources and human
resources as compare to others. For example it has been learned when manager has to deal with
international consumers then individual will need local project team those who can communicate
well with the clients and senior authorities (Managing International Teams: The Importance Of
Cultural Management And Communications, 2011). For that it will have to invest in hiring good
human resource. Apart from this, international business work uses advanced software so
manager will have to use advance tools and techniques so that it can meet with the objectives. It
has been experienced that team development needs to be included in the planning phase so that
team can perform their duties well.
Controlling
Project control system shows that direction of changes which are required in the planning
variables so that actual performance can be improved soon. It has been experienced that
successful planning can reduce risk of the project but for that manager has to make effective
control over it so that risk can be addressed on time and proper solution can be implemented at
the same moment (Katz, 2016). When project has to manage in global environment then
individual has to face cultural differences hat may create problem but proper controlling can
minimize the risk. Apart from this, it has been learned that performance of project can be
improved by making effective control over it.
Cultural aspects
It has been learned by project manager while working on the Bruj Khalifa international
project that cross culture differences impact on overall performance to great extent. It is
necessary for making it successfully that team and manager understand the point of view of
others easily. Relationship and understanding can be build only when people understand the
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culture of each other and cope up with each other as well (CROSS CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR
MANAGING INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, 2017). It has been experienced that in the global
platform individual have to behave clam and should focus on culture of particular location. It
will support in understanding their requirements and by his way manager will be able to make
effective planning for the improvement in the Bruj Khalifa project. Cross cultural differences
can create issue of misunderstanding by this way individual will be able to plan the activities and
that would support in improving the designing of existing building soon (Zhang and et.al, 2015).
It has been learned that attitude of people towards the time and activities, social cultural
aspects impact on the performance of the international project. Thus, it is necessary for the
manager to get to know in depth information about culture preferences so that it can work
accordingly and can give optimistic outcome. Behaviour of individual completely depends upon
its culture, it has been learned that stereotype can be beneficial because it can help in observing
the activities of project team and their experience as well (Wearne, 2014).
Illustration 2: Risk with international project teams
Source: (FIVE CHALLENGES FOR INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS,)
On other hand it can be critically evaluated that arrangement of cultural programs can
make people comfortable and after that they will support their project team effectively that
would assist in achieving goal of the entity soon. But cultural difference give chance of
developing uncertainties, it has been learned that people of different cultures have internalistic,
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externalistic nature. And project manager has to act accordingly so that individual can make
proper control over them and can complete the task on time (Khan and Rasheed, 2015).
It has been noticed that three cultural patterns at three level of national, organizational
and professional level are different from each others. It has been emphasised that international
project pay more attention on cultural awareness. By getting knowledge individual can develop
knowledge and can conduct the task in effective manner.
Communication
Communication is one of the major tool that can help in making the business successful.
In the absence of good coordination with the involved persons in the international project
management, individual will not be able to carry activities in effective manner. It has been
experienced that coordination is essential to make the project successful. But when people work
in the international environment then they face the issue of communication. Language difference
can create problem for them and that is why team members fail to coordinate well with each
others (Managing International Teams: The Importance Of Cultural Management And
Communications, 20110. It has been learned that communication always be considered as
essential tool in the international project management.
It has been identified that if stakeholders those who are related with the international
projects have great experienced of that field. So if they communicate well with each other than
they will be able to reduce uncertain events and it will support the project manager in completing
the project on time without any failure (Caniëls and Bakens, 2015).
Communication management plan
Stakeholders Communications Name Delivery Method/Format
Authorities of Bruj Khalifa Monthly Status Report Hard copy and face to
face meeting
Manager of project Daily status report Personal Meeting on the
existing performance
Cost management team Daily Status report Meeting
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Quality analyst Weekly Status report Email
Risk assessment team Weekly Status report Email and Meetings
Project board Monthly Status report Hard copy and meeting
Architects Monthly Status report Email
Consulting engineers Monthly Status report Hard copy and meeting
need to be arranged in
order to enhance
communication.
Civil and Structural Company Monthly Status report Email
Contractor Monthly Status report Hard copy
Language is the major problem so first they have to understand language of each other
and then they have to coordinate with each other in professional language so that no
misunderstanding take place. It can be done through email and face to face meeting. By this way
people will share their ideas and it will be understand by the other people. It can reduce the
communication gap and can improve performance of international project of Bruj Khalifa.
Geographical dispersed teams
It is the difficulty that may be faced in the International projects because due different
geographical location, atmosphere, physical resources are different from the domestic
environment. In such condition project manager has to understand deeply above the location so
hat individual can plan the activities accordingly. It is difficult to manage geographically
dispersed teams because they can struggle with different perspectives. Due to this they became
unable to share their information thus, tensions get increased (Managing International Teams:
The Importance Of Cultural Management And Communications, 2011).
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On other hand it has been identified that when project team is belong from different
geographical location then they have wide knowledge and if they are managed well then it can
support in making the international project successful.
Managing geographically dispersed teams
Forming, developing and maintaining the team are three major elements through which
geographically dispersed team can be managed well. Manager of Bruj Khalifa international
project needs to choose right team players those who are self motivated, have good
communication skills and are result drivers (CROSS CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND THEIR
IMPLICATIONS FOR
MANAGING INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, 2017). These people will be able to work together
because their main motive is to complete the task on time and accomplish project objective.
Project manager has to develop them by giving proper training so that they can understand real
objective of project and can work align with the objective. Team dynamic needs to be developed
by enhancing formal and informal communication. It is the great way that can support in
improving overall performance of the project soon (Zhang and et.al, 2015).
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that international project management is far
differed from the domestic projects. In the global proposals project team and managers have to
face difficulties such as cross cultural difference, communication issues, handling geographically
dispersed team etc. These issue create trouble for the project manager but effective
communication planning and development of team dynamics can support the manager in
completing the international project on time and accomplishing its objective significantly.
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