International Project Management for Technical Professionals

This book is intended to be a practical tool rather than purely theoretical

as one might find in many management books released today. Much

of the book is based on practical experience, strategies and techniques

attempted with various experience levels from interns and students

to managing Ph.D. level engineers and scientists. Many of the

experiences are special to me because of the situations that had to be

overcome. As you read, you may identify situations that you connect

with and say "yes, that has happened to me". International project

management is bound to grow as the digital world permits more and

more individuals onto the superhighway. As I'm editing this second

edition, we're in the middle of quarantine for the COVID-19 situation.

Recognizing the benefits of lower cost labor or improved productivity

in another nation is old news. For centuries individuals have made

their entire life substance by trading internationally via wagon, boat or

train. Today the transportation mechanisms and communication tools

are far more advanced, but the principles are the same. We can use digital media to advance the causes of project management.

For an individual in engineering, presumably in mechanical engineering for many interested in this book, the first piece of advice is to recognize that you will be challenged to balance engineering and project management. Step back from the product, equipment or service that you are in charge of and realize that it is the end-result of a project. Focusing on the project will help the product, but just as important, the time and budget delivery.