International Project Management

Abstract

Globalization has brought us a more integrated and interdependent world economy and therefore is creating an increasing number of international project, i.e. a project that reach beyond national boundaries regarding either the project purpose or the nationality of the stakeholders. However, survey shows only a 40% success rate of international effort. One would think that standard project management methods can be applied within those project as it is quite successful on a national scale. But international projects bring many different issues that are not covered by standard methods. One of the most difficult challenge companies have to undergo is cultural differences. To identify and mitigate all the new issues created by international projects, international project management requires unique methods, tools and techniques.
This article will first deal with the definition of international project management and emphasizes the main differences between international projects and standard projects. A method to identify all the challenges that ensues from international projects will be developed as the main issue is that depending of the project, you can have quite different issue. Finally, the key success factors in international project management will be exposed.