This book is intended to be a practical tool rather than purely theoretical
as one might find in many management books released today. Much
of the book is based on practical experience, strategies and techniques
attempted with various experience levels from interns and students
to managing Ph.D. level engineers and scientists. Many of the
experiences are special to me because of the situations that had to be
overcome. As you read, you may identify situations that you connect
with and say "yes, that has happened to me". International project
management is bound to grow as the digital world permits more and
more individuals onto the superhighway. As I'm editing this second
edition, we're in the middle of quarantine for the COVID-19 situation.
Recognizing the benefits of lower cost labor or improved productivity
in another nation is old news. For centuries individuals have made
their entire life substance by trading internationally via wagon, boat or
train. Today the transportation mechanisms and communication tools
are far more advanced, but the principles are the same. We can use digital media to advance the causes of project management.
For an individual in engineering, presumably in mechanical engineering for many interested in this book, the first piece of advice is to recognize that you will be challenged to balance engineering and project management. Step back from the product, equipment or service that you are in charge of and realize that it is the end-result of a project. Focusing on the project will help the product, but just as important, the time and budget delivery.