Global Project Management: Achieving Sustainability in Diverse Multinational Organizational Development Initiatives

Introduction

Project management (PM) is a growing field of study that applies a combination of analytical techniques, interpersonal skills, complex problem solving, and advanced leadership skills to address internal and external challenges to complete project objectives. With the advances of technology and the extensive use of resources to complete project objectives, effective and efficient project management provides value to organizations by using appropriate methods and skilled professionals to achieve organizational objectives, with the aim of stewardship for sustainability initiatives.

According to the Project Management Institute (2017), “project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements” (p. 86). In the PM framework, practitioners accomplish project objectives through five processes: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The PM framework is a widely accepted management study used throughout the world to achieve project objectives in numerous industries. Some individuals demonstrate proficiency in PM by taking a project management professional certification exam.

Obtaining certification as a project management professional (PMP) is not an easy task, as demonstrated by the number of certified practitioners. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), there are currently 932,720 active certified Project Management Professionals (PMP) and 300 chartered chapters across different countries worldwide (PMI, 2019). Fewer than 10,000 hold additional certifications in the subclasses of risk, program management, risk management, and professional scheduling. Despite the use of PM foundations and applications in a vast number of international industries, 95% of all certified individuals are located in the United States.

Organizations that use project management professionals and a project management framework provide exceptional value. Doing so aligns organizational objectives and uses efficient strategic management to solve challenges in managing the project. Used properly, PM provides better efficiency in service delivery, improved customer satisfaction, and effectiveness in service delivery. The PM framework helps an organization attain a higher standing and a competitive edge.

Project management focuses on quality and risk management, which are useful in eliminating excessive waste found during the execution of production. Attention to detail in these areas improves quality outcomes, as teams are dedicated to ensuring that quality measures are followed while meeting the core objectives of the deliverables. Detailed attention concerning risk provides cash value savings that could be reinvested back into the organization for additional projects, wages, or capital improvements.

The demand for those who hold advanced PM knowledge is high and projected to stay in demand, in contrast to the limited numbers individuals in the field and academics that hold PM certifications. According to a 2009 estimate by the Project Management Institute, the demand for project management services from 2010 to 2020 was projected to be 11 million jobs in multiple industries, with a projected global revenue stream of $6.61 trillion. The number of certified personnel will not meet that demand. This deficiency creates significant concern for those heavily involved in project management operations, as risks and cost overruns could increase over time.

The purpose of this research proposal is to examine project management in the global context, i.e., within multinational organizations. We seek to explore the theoretical framework of organizational development. This includes exploring gaps in applications of project management principles, understanding diversity in multinational corporations, and arguing for continuing discussion of project management in global organizations.