Managing Global Projects

What is this course about?

In today's growing global workplace managers are often called on to lead projects and teams that span multiple continents and cultures. This course provides you with the skills to effectively manage a geographically dispersed project. You learn how to address cultural barriers unique to global projects and to build and communicate with a multi-cultural team.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for project managers, program managers, directors, team leaders and business analysts involved in projects that cross national boundaries.

What background do I need?

Project management experience at the level of Course 296, Project Management: Skills for Success, or Course 340, Project Management for Software Development, is assumed

How is this course structured?

This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlus^TM-an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through case studies, role playing, and group and individual activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization.

What is a Project Management Office (PMO)?

A PMO is a department or group within an organisation tasked with centralising, standardising and coordinating multiple projects. The responsibilities of a PMO are varied and range from providing project management support functions and guidance to actually being responsible for the direct management of a project.

How much time is spent on each topic?

Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class.

What kinds of activities are covered in this course?

Approximately 60 percent of this course is spent in activities. Through an evolving case study, you gain the skills to meet the demands of managing a global project. Activities include:

• Identifying issues specific to global projects
• Exploring the key skills of a global project manager
• Defining objectives and deliverables
• Analysing stakeholders based on geography
• Selecting appropriate communication tools
• Dealing with cultural differences
• Controlling global risks
• Analysing the effectiveness of the project office

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 17 professional development units (PDUs). Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

How does this course differ from Course 296, Project Management: Skills for Success?

In this course you gain the skills to identify and overcome the unique challenges involved in managing a global project. Course 296, Project Management: Skills for Success, gives an overview of the skills needed to plan, manage and deliver a project while Course 3620 takes a more in depth look at the specifics of managing a project that crosses international boundaries.

How does this course differ from Course 3610, Building a Successful Project Management Office?

In Course 3610, Building a Successful Project Management Office, you learn how to structure a Project Management Office (PMO) that provides a means of centralisation and standardization and greater project oversight. Although, developing the PMO is discussed in this course it is not the focus. Course 3620 focuses on managing global projects and addressing the unique challenges that emerge when managing a project that spans multiple continents and cultures.

How does this course approach the topic of managing in geographically dispersed situations?

Separation amplifies the effect of a number of factors that are relatively insignificant when managing a project in one location. The planning phase of global projects must allow for the numerous risk factors that can impact delivery-time differences, cultural perspectives, interpersonal friction and communication errors. This approach enables managers to be more robust and realistic in planning and executing. Recognizing that there is a problem and then choosing the best response to the situation are key skills. Anticipating the challenge is an even more effective approach that requires an enabling, proactive mindset and a move away from the common model of reactive management.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

In addition to the prerequisites, Course 296, Project Management: Skills for Success, and Course 340, Project Management for Software Development, the following related courses may be of interest:

• 287, Complex Project Management , you gain experience using advanced methods to initiate, plan and control large or diverse projects.
• 346, Project Leadership: Building High-Performance Teams , you gain practical experience developing your leadership skills to build and sustain high-performing project teams.
• 286, Project Risk Management , teaches you to proactively develop risk-reduction strategies to dramatically increase your chances of successful project completion.

Certification courses that may be of interest include:

• 3601, Preparing for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam 
• 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam 
• 1176, PRINCE2®: Achieving Foundation Certification 
• 177, PRINCE2®: Achieving Practitioner Certification 

UK Dates