Managing Projects in Multiple Locations: Key Areas to Consider

Senior Project Managers often face the burden of managing multiple projects in multiple locations, quite often in different time zones.

However with the correct tools and processes in place this may not be as difficult as it may first appear. There are a number of important attributes to managing a project which can be even more of a challenge when a number of locations are in question. We examine a number of the key areas:

Communication:

Communication is an important aspect of any management process and this is also the case when it comes to managing a project. When managing a number of projects, communication is needed with a number of stakeholders on each individual project. The ideal means of communication would be to meet with people on each of the projects frequently in person, however this is not always possible when a location barrier is in play, mainly due to cost and time management limitations.

It may be possible to hold regular meetings online (via Skype, for example), to keep in touch with what plans are in place in particular locations, ultimately making cost savings and allowing more time to be allocated by the project manager.

Constant Emails:

When liaising with colleagues that are not based in the same office there is often a tendency for email overload which can lead to information overload by all parties. There is also the possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpreting the text in an email. This can cause problems in relation to time taken to ascertain the correct information as well as the time consumed with constantly reading and replying to emails. If you are using emails to communicate in this context they should be kept short, concise and to a minimum!

Personnel Visibility:

When managing projects in a number of locations, you also have to manage the resources on the projects in terms of personnel. It can be difficult to plan hours for people that are located in a different office as there is often:

  • Poor visibility and lack of communication on days off.
  • Uncertainty about when certain people may be out of the office and not available to work on the project.
  • Misunderstanding regarding the hours that they may be available to work for a specific project.

Purchasing & Expenses:

Although budgets are set at the start of any project and will be reviewed during progress, it is often impossible to get a real time view of spending when projects are spread out over multiple locations. When the project manager does not have real time visibility on all expenses it can cause certain aspects of, or indeed the full budget to be overstretched. This will ultimately effect the deliverability of the project on time and on budget.

Reporting:

Every project manager has to report to someone on the current position of their projects, a task which may be difficult and time consuming when trying to gather information from each of the individual projects. Project management software can dramatically simplify this process as all projects, or part thereof with any criteria such as manager, location or even current stage, can be reported on automatically, in real time. These reports can then be emailed or shared with colleagues or supervisory figures.

Related Insights

Nov 16 2023

Forrester TEI Report – An increase in net present value (NPV) of $30.05M and an ROI of 187% over 3 years.

Experience Cora PPM’s impactful results: Forrester’s analysis unveils a $30.05M NPV surge & 187% ROI over 3 years. Efficiency gains worth $25M,...
Cora_-Project-Portfolio-Management-Software-Junction new
Sep 21 2023

Buying a Software Solution Vs Building In-House

Choosing between buying a software solution or building one in-house is a crucial decision in the realm of digital transformation. Opting for a pre-built solution from...
Manufacturing-Floor-Project-Management-Software
Sep 05 2023

Improve Capacity Planning with SPM Software

Improve your capacity planning with Cora SPM, a powerful software solution designed to optimize resource allocation and maximize ROI.

Environmentally Friendly Supply Chain Aerial view of heavy truck on a narrow twisting road
Jun 07 2023

How to Utilize Technology for a More Environmentally Friendly Supply Chain

Looking for a more Environmentally friendly supply chain process? Bryan Christiansen outlines five ways that technology can help

Value-Stream-mapping-management-1200-x-630
Apr 25 2023

What’s the Difference Between Value Stream Mapping and Value Stream Management?

Value stream mapping and value stream management help organizations manage their resources more effectively so that they generate a better ROI.

Big Data Protection Cyber Security Concept With Shield Icon In Cyber Space.Cyber Attack Protection For Worldwide Connections, Block chain. Digital Big Data Stream Analysis.
Apr 12 2023

Make Sure Your PPM Solution Is a No-Code/Low-Code Platform

Why we made Cora PPM a no code/ low code platform and the huge benefits that gives you.

Aerospace Project Management Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Mar 29 2023

The Nature of Speed in Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

Jessica Rivard, a Senior Business Analyst and Defense Sector expert at Cora Systems looks at how the drive for continuous improvement can boost the speed of Aerospace...
Mar 28 2023

The 2 Areas to Gain a Competitive Advantage in Biopharma

We look at how the reimagined workplace and technology can help companies to gain a competitive advantage in Biopharma