VIEWPOINTS

Global Networks –
Brain Shifting the Ways of IT Project Management

By Melvyn Lee

Malaysia

IT projects herald the age of global networking. Great shifts are taking place in project management which has been catalytically influenced by the advent of global network formation.

The formation of global networks implies that managing projects is no longer bound by local parameters. Global networks thrive on diversity - Finding and connecting resources on the entire globe, then consolidating them for a common purpose. Networking enables a gravitation of skills, resources or materials from different formats of alliances which are formed and configured any which way we choose, to benefit or influence the project positively.

Traditional IT projects are not so straightforward when operating in a global network world. Those who are part of these networks would need to follow the network economy and rules. A global network, in particular, if not carefully designed and governed, can create identity crisis, dominance of cultures, misalignment of governance and, to some extent, power struggle.

Today, the dawning of the communication age prevents many projects from being attributed to specifics. Rather the outcome of a project can easily be the result of a melting pot effort. No one party can claim success for themselves. Efforts put on projects are the result of international osmosis crossing borders with little or no restriction.

The network rules have in fact changed the inner dynamics of running IT projects. There are four major types of networks that can cause great shifts in managing projects and determining their outcomes:-

• Network of Crowd
• Network of Virtual Expediency
• Network of Dispersed Knowledge
• Network of Trendsetter
  

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About the Author By Melvyn Lee Author Melvyn Lee, PMP has worked in various IT organizations. He has taken on different roles such as Analyst Programmer, System Analyst, Product Specialist, Pre-Sales, Offshore Development Manager, IT Project Manager, System Integration Project Manager, Resourcing Manager and Technical Manager. He is currently working in HCL-Axon Malaysia, an established world-class SAP-shared services centre providing project implementation, application management and offshore/onshore services. The company has high quality consultants supporting Axon’s customers not only out of its head office in the UK but also from its bases in the USA, Europe, Malaysia and Australia. Melvyn can be contacted at lee_wmeng@hotmail.com.