Silicon Valley · Founded 1988
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, fastProjectAI software suite, and structured training have been proven on 200+ projects — from Sony's first PlayStation to $7 billion semiconductor fabs.
The Team
Not boutique. A network of world-class specialists.
Neal Mitchell
Founder
200+ FTTM projects · Co-founded tech startup with exit · Original FTTM Research Team Member
Mark Edmonds, Ph.D.
Founder
Physics Ph.D. · Directed 100+ person programs at Philips, National Semiconductor/Texas Instruments
Bob Biddinger
Founder Emeritus
Early HP employee · Seagate founding team · Original FTTM Research Team Member · Prolific speaker and Silicon Valley company builder
Alan E. Rush, Ph.D.
Associate
Ph.D. · Stanford Business School · Fast Operating Strategy Developer · Original FTTM Research Team Member
James R. Schmook, Ph.D.
Associate
Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.) · Ph.D. · Strategy & coaching · Original FTTM Research Team Member
Barbara Grant, Ph.D.
Associate
VC-backed startup CEO · VC Fund Manager · IBM executive · Original FTTM Research participant (at IBM)
Cheryl Beninga
Associate
Former Intel executive · VC investor/fund manager · 40+ portfolio companies
What We Do
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
fastProjectAI Suite
fastProjectAI, fastDecisionAI, and Cost-of-delayAI — 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 methodology, now self-paced.
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 →Proven Results
Programs that changed industries.
$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 →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 →$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.
Read the full story →Ideas Library
194 articles. 36 years of thinking.
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 AcademyYour product deserves to ship on time.
Whether you need a consulting engagement, the fastProjectAI software suite, structured training, or just want to understand the FTTM framework — let's start a conversation.