Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
The Global Workforce
Joe Wynne is a versatile Project Manager experienced in delivering medium-scope projects in large organizations that improve workforce performance and business processes. He has a proven track record of delivering effective, technology-savvy solutions in a variety of industries and a unique combination of strengths in both process management and workforce management.
There are long-held assumptions you don’t question when your workforce exists within your own country: You understand what training they report having completed, you know what HR policies are common and you know your project plan is often the only thing that stands between workgroups coordinated toward completion of work and some kind of human maelstrom.
To avoid unpleasant surprises when the workforce is scattered throughout the globe, these assumptions must be dragged out into the light of day. Here are some examples inspired by my experience.
Assumption: Routine planning and problem-solving will suffice
Reality: Sure, you are experienced in best practices, but there are many surprises when you work with other nations and work cultures. The most basic things can cause frustration: bad phone connections, holiday confusion, standard software differences, conflicting HR policies and expectations.
Reality: Sure, you are experienced in best practices, but there are many surprises when you work with other nations and work cultures. The most basic things can cause frustration: bad phone connections, holiday confusion, standard software differences, conflicting HR policies and expectations.
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Use your global collaborators to identify potential problems and plan to resolve them. These partners have probably suffered through similar problems with project managers like you.
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Plan a meeting with global representatives to identify “factors that will cause the project to fail.” This type of brainstorm uncovers a depressing number of possibilities. Work backward from the listed items to determine what the global project team must …
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