Lesson 8: Current (and Future) Issues in Project Management
Cross-Cultural Project Management
One of the very important accomplishments of developing project management as a field, is that it is increasingly being informed by Project Managers across the world. And while we can say that, on a fundamental level, projects across the world see similar classes of threats and oportunities, we can agree with the AMA Handbook of Project Management which advises us that the expression of those opportunities and threats are often different, depending on where you happen to be.
The reason for this difference is not technical; it is cultural. What do I mean here? Well, for example, some cultures tend to emphasize individual performance, while others evaluate success based on team performance. Some cultures invite very direct speech, while others tend to invite a reading between the lines. Some cultures follow a very formal chain-of-command in terms of project communications, while other cultures promote a more horizontal flow of information. As a Project Manager, your project will work within a particular cultural environment, and will necessarily thus reflect that culture, both explicitly and implicitly.
I have intentionally avoided refering in this section to specific cultures (e.g. North American, Asian, etc.), because in my attempt to illustrate this point about the importance of cultural differences, I may unintentionally make some ignorant generalizations. The point that I'd simply and somewhat easily like to make to you is just to be aware that cultural differences have a tremendous influence on how a project will run.
Cultural influences is, of course, nothing new. Any of us who have travelled even to a neighbouring country have likely encoutered some form of cultural influence different than their own. However, because project-life is so mobile, there's a good chance that if you venture into the field, you will either find yourself working in a variety of cultures, or working with people who reflect an array of multicultural perspectives. Being aware of these different cultural horizons will not only make you a more successful Project Manager, but much more importantly, it will make you a much better communicator and listener, which will make your work both satisfying and meaningful.
Tracy Bowens is, at the time of this writing, delivering a course for Suite University entitled Cross-Cultural Training 101. I have yet to take this course, but from what I have read it looks to be an ideal starting point to understand the spectrum of cultures that inform the richness of our tiny planet.
References used in this section (these books are available for order via the Resources link above):
The AMA Handbook of Project Management, by Paul C. Dinsmore (Editor). Chapter 37.
Other references used:
Cross-Cultural Training 101, by Tracy Bowens. Located at: http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/16618...
