Project ownership and steering committee challenges in international context

This study focuses on discussing and analysing the results of the project steering group maturity review executed at VTT in 2012. The survey was conducted for 50 projects whose complexity level varied between medium and high. One of the major outcomes of the study is the definition and role of the project owner in multi-national projects co-funded by more than one organisation. These types of projects typically include a large consortium in which project manager needs to be competent to lead both internal and external people. The results of this study promote the development of communications between line organisation and project managers, which is also valid when managing the consortiums including external partners. The results of the review lead us to consider ways to develop and try out new project management practices on the DESERVE-Artemis project. The project has a multi-national feature, including 25 European automotive manufacturers and their suppliers and research organisations working together. One example is the method of mentoring young talents in a project management career with close collaboration between the steering group representative of VTT and the young project manager. In this article, the role of the project owner as a supervisor and mentor of a project manager has been examined. The second development target is the improved communication with customers in order to ensure common goals and business benefits for the project