Managing an International Development Project

Bob Weinstein is a journalist who covers technology, project management, the workplace and career development.

  International Development  

Jonathan Lurie jumped at the opportunity to manage the building of a complaint management system in for international consulting company KPMG. He didn't know what was ahead, which made the prospect of working in a foreign country all the more exciting.

Lurie, 26, has been working as a software developer since he graduated from Florida State University with a computer science degree. Two years ago, he was recruited for the KPMG project because the consulting company was impressed with his credentials. He had lived in European companies, traveled extensively and relished exciting assignments.

Often, International Project Managers (IPMs) are confronted with working conditions they didn't bargain for.

"I was in a position where I could fulfill multiple roles," Lurie explains. "I understood the customer's technology (Microsoft) and I was able to architect the solution."

Considering the world of the IPM? Here's a crash course to help your decision.

Job Titles and Qualifications

Don't be confused by job titles. Lurie stresses that there is no set-in-stone job title called International Project Manager. Generally, it's a senior project manager that's been promoted or recruited to manage overseas projects. Whatever the title, an IPM negotiates with all the key players and makes things happen.

Job Requirements For IPM's Are Vague

I was a Microsoft …

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