A Model of Success Factors for Global Project Management Jean BinderSchool of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt UniversityGlobalProjectManagement.org

Paul D. GardinerFaculty of Business, The British University in Dubai

James M. RitchieSchool of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University

Human Side of Projects in Modern Business 3 - Wednesday 17.06.2009 11:05-11:20 (Scientific Track)

Research Objectives

1

Identify success factors for global projects,

from the project management literature

2

Produce a novel model of success factors

for global projects

Holistic

Modular

Scalable

Research Question 1a:Success Factors (SF)?

Research Objective 2: Produce a

novel model of success factors

Research Objective 1:

Identify success

factors in the literature

Review literature on global projects

Research Question 2b:New SF?

Research Question 2a:Validated SF?

Research Question 2c:Structure Changes?

Classification of Success Factors and

fit-gap analysis

Research Question 1b:Trends, methodologies

and geographies?

The research project

Global Project

Management Framework:

Dimensions,Categories

and Success Factors

Global Project Management: Challenges in the literature

Gaps

Global Project Management studiesYear & Journal

4

12

4

2

43 3

4

6

1

1

21

1

1

2

5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

PMJ

IJPM33

14

Global Project ManagementResearch methodologies

Analytical Conceptual

8

Analytical Mathematical

1

Empirical38

Empirical methods - breakdown TotalSurvey 16Case Studies 10Semi-structured interviews 3Survey and in-depth interviews 3In-depth interviews 2Survey and focus groups 1Action Research 1Grounded theory on non-structured interviews 1Grounded theory on structured interviews 1Grand Total 38

Gap: Grounded Action Research

Year UK China Germany US France Australia Singapore Taiwan1999 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 12000 1 0 0 0 0 0 02001 0 0 0 0 0 0 12002 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 02003 0 0 0 0 0 0 02004 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 02005 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 02006 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 02007 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 02008 2 1 3 2 2 0 1 1Total 9 6 6 5 4 3 3 3

3

1 1

11

111

2

3

5

4

9 6

6

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

1 3

3

2

2

2

2

2

1

Geographical scope of existing studies

”Strong” success factors:Occurrence > 10%

Cross-cultural collaboration

Global communication techniques

Global team leadership

Conflict resolution

Global communication strategy

Global project structures

Rules and templates

Organisational support

Trust building

Stakeholders and communication channels

Selection of international human resources

Global creativity

Knowledge sharing tools

Collaborative project management

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

”Weak” success factors:Occurrence < 10%

Basic techniques

Knowledge sharing techniques

Global collaborative networks

Basic tools

Audio and video tools

Project management software

Audio and video techniques

Online meetings

Coaching

Text and image tools

Global program and project offices

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

”New” success factors

Team cohesion

Negotiation techniques

Workflow management systems

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Scope6%

Time11%

Cost15%

Quality11%

Procurement15%Risk

38%

Communications43%

HumanResources

26%

PMBOK® Guide Knowledge areas

Integration17%

References to Project Management Bodies of Knowledge

GlobalProject

ManagementFramework

PMBOK21% 3 sources

2%

None77% Australian National Competency Standards for PM

PMBOK® GuideAPM-BOK

Integration17%

Novel model of success factors

GlobalProject

Challenges

GlobalProject

Benefits

GlobalProject

ManagementFramework

Global teamsCross-cultural collaborationGlobal team leadershipTrust buildingConflict resolutionCoachingCross-cultural negotiationGlobal teamwork and team cohesionGlobal communicationStakeholders and communication channelsRules and templatesGlobal communication strategyGlobal communication techniquesGlobal creativityGlobal organisationsGlobal project structuresSelection of international human resourcesGlobal program and project officesOrganisational supportGlobal collaborative networks

Collaborative techniquesBasic techniquesAudio and video techniquesOnline meetingsKnowledge sharing techniquesCollaborative Project Management

Collaborative toolsBasic toolsAudio and video toolsText and image toolsKnowledge sharing toolsProject Management SoftwareWorkflow management systems

Global risk factorsPoliticalLegalEconomicSocio-culturalManagerial

ChallengesGeographical distanceMulticultural collaborationMultilingual communicationAsynchronous interactionsCross-organizational relationships

BenefitsAccess to worldwide pool of resourcesMulticultural flexibility and innovationAccurate picture of international customers’ needsRound-the-clock project executionAlliances and partnership

PMBOK® GuideKnowledge Areas

Conclusions

1 GPMF validated and expanded

Using success factors from PM literature

2 Novel model of success factors for global projects

Holistic (includes 10 years of research)Modular (independent sets of success factors)Scalable (Can be expanded to include new success factors)

3 Future research …

Multiple languages and time zonesGrounded Action ResearchGeographical scope of studies“Weak” success factors

Contacts and references

Jean Binderjean@k-binder.be

www.GlobalProjectManagement.org

Book: Global Project Management: Communication, Collaboration and Management Across Borders (Binder, 2007)Gower Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-566-08706-6