Qualitative analysis techniques were used to identify recurring themes from project manager interview summaries undertaken by 120 project management students. The themes and the resulting conceptual framework provide evidence for the factors that support the development of successful global project managers. Such factors were found to include taking the initiative to acquire an in-depth understand the local environment and to develop culture and language competence.Keywords: PM global careers, PM advice, PM career progression, Global PM Challenges
BackgroundOrganizations continue to be challenged in their ability to coordinate business on a global scale, integrate and manage business activities occurring in different countries, partly due to inexperienced project managers. To that purpose, international companies require project managers with a global perspective who understand their customers, governments and market requirement across different countries, who have an ability to leverage country and market differences to achieve organizational strategic objectives. As multinational corporations create knowledge networks of workers, suppliers, and partners across the globe, to collaborate in an effective means, the need for an effective global project manager is critical. Although the need for experienced and skilled global project managers has been established in previous studies, many organizations do not have a formal mechanism for training and equipping their global managers on how to successfully lead a global project. The aim of this study is the leverage the experiences and knowledge of practicing global project managers by interviewing them and learning from them based on their experiences on the core competencies that successful global project manager must possess to be successful.
IntroductionAlthough the literature provides extensive guidance on success factors for managing projects, it is suggested there is no substitute for actually asking successful project managers to relate their international experiences, lessons learned, and perceptions regarding the factors associated with successful international project assignments. For this reason, the researchers undertook a study using qualitative methods to analyze 120 interview summaries of international project managers.Students in a graduate project management degree program were assigned to interview a professional project manager with global experience and pose questions associated with working in a foreign country, personal preparation, and advice for a project manager considering an international assignment. Although each interview included some general discussion and observations, the primary questions asked to each project manager were as follows: 1). What was the hardest part of working in another country?2). Looking back, what would they have done differently to prepare themselves for that assignment?3). What advice would he/ she give to someone considering an international PM assignment?This current study will benefit any new entrants ...