Get Ready for a PRINCE2 Project Overseas

PRINCE2 Project

If you enjoy a successful career in project management then there is a good chance that you end up going abroad to work at some point in the future. This is one of the most thrilling ways of adding an extra dimension to your working life.

However, it is possible that you worry that this move could go horribly wrong. Fortunately, going abroad to work on a PRINCE2 project doesn’t have to be something that causes you sleepless nights if you get ready for it in the right way.

Learn the Language if Necessary

Are people in your new team likely to speak English to you? Even in some non-English speaking countries you will find that English is widely used in business circles.

Having said that, it makes a lot of sense to learn the local language. If you can at least get to grips with the basics you will feel a lot more comfortable about settling into the new environment as seamlessly as possible.

A smart idea is to focus on the areas that are most likely to be of use to you over there. This means learning business greetings, phrases that are widely used in projects and the most common everyday phrases that you might need.

Get Your Training Sorted Out

If you have already taken your PRINCE2 Foundation Course then this is going to be crucial for dealing with new projects anywhere on the planet. Most countries recognise this certification as being a sign of a professional project manager.

If you haven’t yet got your training then you should double-check first of all whether this is one of the many countries that recognises the PRINCE2 qualification. Even if it isn’t, getting qualified just now could be a terrific move for your future.

Once you work abroad it is highly likely that you do this again later on. Having a widely accepted certification will open up a lot of exciting opportunities for you in different parts of the world.

Understand the Business Culture

We saw earlier that learning the language is a huge help in getting you settled into your new surroundings. Yet, this alone isn’t enough if you don’t also make the effort to learn about the business culture in the place where you are going to work.

Do introductions come with a handshake? Is teamwork encouraged or is it more of an individual approach with the manager telling the rest of the team what they need to do? There are many different aspects of business culture that vary from one place to another.

A little bit of online research will let you see what to expect. If you currently have a colleague that comes from the country you are heading to then this is a great opportunity to get some useful information from them before you go.

Trust the Processes That You Have Used Before

Having carried out all of the previous points, you should be feeling a lot more confident about the challenges that lie ahead. However, do you worry that the projects you are given turn out to be completely different from anything you have ever done before?

You should remember that you can use exactly the same approach in every PRINCE2 project that you deal with. It doesn’t matter where you are or what the industry is, you can plan, report and track in precisely the same way every time.

There is no need to fear an overseas project. By carrying out some preparation work and then trusting the PRINCE2 methodology you will find that this is a fun and rewarding experience that moves your career on to a new level.