Managing Differences

In this chapter

• Review the key management principles for cross-functional, cross-cultural, or virtual project environments
• Learn tips and techniques to better lead cross-functional projects
• Learn tips and techniques to better lead cross-cultural projects
• Learn tips and techniques to better lead virtual projects
• Gain awareness of the common problems that can arise in these project environments

With the current trends in business and technology, the odds that you will manage a project consisting of stakeholders from the same culture, located in the same environment, and representing a common business function decrease as each day passes. In the past, these more complex project situations were assigned to proven, experienced project managers. Today, you are likely to deal with cross-functional, cross-cultural, or virtual environments (or combinations of these three) in your initial project management opportunity. This is why I feel it is important to review key aspects of managing differences in project environments in this book.

In this chapter, I want to accomplish two primary goals. One, I want to share with you the unique aspects of each these project situations, the common problems to watch out for, and most importantly, the key principles and lessons that I have learned managing these types of projects. Two, I want to emphasize how these special situations do not require any additional project management techniquesjust disciplined application of the principles and techniques we have reviewed in earlier chapters. With this knowledge and awareness, you will be more confident and better prepared to manage these aspects of your project environment.