Conference

Cultural differences and the complexity of the project network are likely to cause unexpected deviations from project plans. Learning to understand cultural differences is a long-lasting process. It usually starts by creating stereotypical characterizations of different national groups. Most often 'the others' are described inferior, whereas one's own culture is described superior. This leads to national fragmentation, creation of cliques and disintegration of the project organization. The first step in learning cultural differences is to understand that people behave differently, they hold different values, and they interpret the same physical and social world in highly different ways. But these differences should not be considered as problems or threats, or something that should be minimized.
Cultural differences should be seen in a positive light. As this happens, it becomes possible to take advantage of the cultural differences and create cross cultural synergies. Cultural groups should be tolerated and each party should be allowed to operate in the way most familiar to them. It requires development of trust and feelings of reciprocal appreciation. Stakeholder analysis tools and shared work procedures are valuable in creating a basis for common understanding.

This and much more is part of the conference which is organized by the Project Management Association of Iceland.

The association was founded in 1984 and is one of the most successful member associations in the IPMA family. If I put the membership and certification figures in correlation to the population of the whole country it is the most successful one!!

Don't miss the conference, I am really looking forward to meeting all of you at this event.

Mag. Brigitte Schaden
IPMA President

August, 2010