Managing for Breakthroughs in Productivity

Scherr, Allan L., "Managing for Breakthroughs in Productivity" (January 2005). Barbados Group Working Paper No. 1-05.

Abstract:

This article is about creating and managing projects so as to deliberately and predictably produce results well beyond what could have been reasonably expected beforehand. This methodology was originated in the mid-1980's and applied to 20 engineering projects at IBM with spectacular results. In the years since, many projects in a myriad of fields have been managed using the same techniques with similar results. This article describes the original IBM projects and some of the additional projects undertaken since then. It also outlines the methodology used and provides perspective on why the methodology works and the pitfalls to be avoided.

Facts on IBM Software

WebSphere MQ (known as MQSeries until 2002) is IBM's Message Oriented Middleware offering.

Lotus Software (called Lotus Development Corporation before its acquisition by IBM) is an American software company with its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lotus was founded in 1982 by partners Mitch Kapor and Jonathan Sachs. Lotus' first product was presentation software for the Apple II known as Lotus Executive Briefing System, but the company is more broadly known for its groundbreaking Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet application released in January 1983.

"The software industry, business customers and developers are increasingly demanding software that is based on open industry standards and enables integration -- integration of business applications across the enterprise and the value chain of customers and suppliers," said Steve Mills, IBM senior vice president and group executive, Software Group. "This is an important aspect of IBM's On Demand strategy. Rational supports what IBM does best, which is provide infrastructure software and software tools to help our customers create a complete software development environment. This deal extends IBM's ability to help customers into the 'on demand' future with tools built on industry standards to develop, integrate and manage their business processes."

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