March 30, 2009 Vol. 2, Issue 3
It’s not always clear if “no” actually means “no” when negotiating with a foreign counterpart. Cultural understanding is the key to interpreting the meaning behind the words. If you work on NASA projects involving international partners, the Academy’s “International Project Management” course is for you.
Anyone working in the aerospace industry today knows that space flights projects are increasingly international. In addition to high-visibility programs such as the International Space Station, most projects have some international component to them, ranging in scope from formal partnerships with foreign space agencies to fly-over rights or parts procurement. NASA has had over three thousand international agreements in its fifty-year history, and the trend is pointing toward more in the future.
“International Project Management” (IPM) is a five-day course for anybody who has to engage with international partners — not just top-level managers or executives. It is an opportunity for project team members who work with foreign partners to learn more about the dimensions of cross-cultural collaboration, and to examine their own assumptions and biases as they work in this context. Through case studies, lectures from experienced practitioners, and hands-on simulation exercises, participants look at how cultural differences inform decision-making, negotiations, and leadership styles. They also review strategies for identifying and avoiding some of the common traps and pitfalls of international projects.
The course also includes a thorough review of the issues associated with the formation and maintenance of international agreements, as well as the regulatory information and ethical issues related to working with foreign partners. International projects are subject to export control laws (the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, also known as ITAR), which practitioners need to understand to ensure that their actions are always legal. Course participants receive a reference disc that includes the relevant rules and regulations for international projects.
IPM will be offered at Kennedy Space Center from April 13-17, 2009. (View the Master Schedule for Academy training courses.) This course is registered with the Project Management Institute (PMI) for 40 Professional Development Units (PDUs). PMI Course ID: IPM014.
