Practical know-how of the Global Project

Hitoshi Goto

Ukihiko Takagi

In Part 1, we discussed the features of the global project which Japanese common practice fail to work. This time, we will look at the important points for overseas projects.

The convenience of Japan does not always exist anywhere else

When working overseas, one example that Japanese common practice fail to work is reservation of a conference room.

Although business meeting rooms are often filled with reservations, it is relatively easy to find nearby conference rooms and coffee shops in local cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. However, if you think that the convenience of Japan exists anywhere else, you will have a problem.

There was a time when Company B expanded business to Brazil for the first time. At that time, the factory was still under construction, and the sales office was a small temporary location. Nevertheless, it was the stage when the requirement definitions should start. Fortunately, we were able to rent a conference room from the South American branch of our group company T. This is should have been clarified at the time of the contract.

Various expenses which tend to be overlooked in Japan is often generated in the local, such as having to use hotel conference rooms. Other expenses is generated too, such as electricity, water, communications, overseas allowances, and, in some cases, transportation costs. When planning budget of project, we should consider it carefully.

Of course, accommodation fee is charged when we stay for a long time (most of the time), but this is not only things to consider. It is also necessary to have information whether there are supermarkets, laundries and daily necessities prepared (for example, there are many people who do not suit local shampoos or conditioners).

Logistics is important in global projects

It is also important to maintain transportation. Please consider that not every city in the world has subway or train like in Tokyo where you can go conveniently anywhere. In some cities, the last train is also early.

There is a case when members who were participating in a project in Thailand worked every day until late at night. But the local drivers were kind, and they came back and forth between the hotel and the factory day and night. However, one day, the project member asked two round trips a day, and they were told that the cost of gasoline was insufficient by the driver. As they did not know what kind of contract had been made between his company and the driver, he paid the cost while becoming suspicious.

From the viewpoint of project management, we often forget the arrangement of transportation for many project members in the local area. However, it is necessary to pay attention to this contracts for the courtesy car, time schedule, and the number of vacant seats on the company bus.

Furthermore, we refer to facilities, conference room, transportation, daily necessities, dining area as logistics. Originally, logistic is a military term to deliver supplies to soldiers. Logistics is especially important in global project.

It is important to keep in mind that in some other places in the world, it may be uncommon that there are hotels and convenience stores everywhere as in Japan and that goods are easily available.

<<Read [Part 1]Read [Part 3]>>

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