We accelerated the team
that built the iPod.

lateralworks has been delivering fast-time-to-market results on advanced technology programs since 1988. Our FTTM methodology, fastWorks software suite, and structured training have been proven on 200+ projects — from Sony's first PlayStation to $7 billion semiconductor fabs.

200+
FTTM Projects
Worldwide since 1988
36
Years of Research
Continuously refined
$7B+
Programs Accelerated
Semiconductor to software
$5M
Per Day Saved
GlobalFoundries Fab8
GlobalFoundriesCharles SchwabPhilipsTexas InstrumentsIntelApplied MaterialsTektronixAlta DevicesSony

Not boutique. A network of world-class specialists.

Meet the Full Team →
Neal Mitchell
Founder
200+ FTTM projects · Co-founded tech startup with exit
Mark Edmonds, Ph.D.
Founder
Physics Ph.D. · Directed 100+ person programs at Philips, TI
Bob Biddinger
Founder · Associate
Seagate co-founder · Early HP · Lead FTTM researcher
Cheryl Beninga
Associate
Former Intel exec · VC investor · 40+ portfolio companies
Barbara D. Grant, Ph.D.
Associate
Ph.D. · VC-backed startup CEO · IBM executive
James R. Schmook, Ph.D.
Associate
Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.) · Ph.D. · Strategy & coaching
Alan E. Rush, Ph.D.
Associate
Ph.D. · Stanford Business School · Fast Operating Strategy
Full bios, firm story, and engagement model →

Four ways to get products to market faster.

Methodology

The FTTM Framework

Thirty-six years of original research into how the fastest technology teams in the world actually work. Not theory — observed best practices from 500+ people, continuously refined through hundreds of global engagements.

Explore the Framework
Software

fastWorks Suite

fastProject, fastDecision, and fastROI — Microsoft Office add-ins that operationalize FTTM methodology. The Wigglechart alone has changed how teams see schedule acceleration. Version 4.12, actively maintained.

See the Software
Academy

Learn FTTM

Structured courses built from 80+ sequential modules covering Critical Path Method, Refresh Planning, Decision Modeling, Portfolio Management, and more. The hidden LMS — now properly surfaced.

Start Learning
Consulting

Engagement Services

We join your team, not just advise it. Multi-month partnerships that have delivered first silicon ahead of schedule on $7B fabs, accelerated $15M in IT savings, and shipped products that defined entire categories.

How We Engage

Programs that changed industries.

All Results →
Semiconductor
GlobalFoundries

$5M/day saved. First silicon ahead of schedule.

Fab8 in Malta, NY — a $7B greenfield fab. lateralworks joined as one of the initial 5-person planning team and stayed through first silicon, 2 weeks ahead of target.

Read the full story →
Consumer Electronics
Philips → iPod

The methodology that built the iPod.

The Engineering Executive who led the Philips Velo PDA project — built using FTTM — later applied these same practices at Apple to create the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. His name is Tony Fadell.

Read the full story →
Enterprise IT
Charles Schwab

$15M annual savings. Program of the Year.

IT Infrastructure Rationalization — 1,100 servers, 145 applications, 3-year program. lateralworks structured the portfolio, accelerated the savings, and helped it win Schwab's internal program of the year.

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166 articles. 36 years of thinking.

Browse All Ideas →
Critical Path AnalysisDec 2024

It's the second or third critical path that can sneak up and bite you

PlanningSep 2024

Positive vs Negative Buffer (i.e. Margin)

FTTM MindsetOct 2019

Agile and FTTM

StrategyOct 2019

The Norm — Why average performance is the enemy of fast

Critical PathPortfolioStrategyTeamVOCInnovationFTTM MindsetDecisions

The FTTM Academy — structured learning for accelerated teams.

80+ sequential modules covering everything from Critical Path basics to advanced Macro-Micro Roll-up. Concept → Function → Practice. The same knowledge that powers 200+ global engagements, now self-paced.

Explore the Academy
fastProject
40+ modules
Critical Path & Scheduling
fastDecision
20+ modules
Decision Modeling
fastROI
10+ modules
Business Case Modeling
FTTM Concepts
166 articles
Methodology & Strategy

Your product deserves to ship on time.

Whether you need a consulting engagement, the fastWorks software suite, structured training, or just want to understand the FTTM framework — let's start a conversation.

Start a ConversationSee Results First