Endorsements
Simple Solutions
"As we look at business models for the 21st century one thing is clear - change is an increasingly large part of the agenda. Building the organizational capacity for this level of change requires the creation of an Enterprise Project Management Office. Simple Solutions is a timely, thought provoking and important book for senior leadership to understand what they must do structurally within their organization to build a change capacity. The learnings in this book go far beyond the PMO and project organization - it is a business persons practical guide to change management grounded in the pragmatic, real world story of the #1 HMO in the country."
Jack Calhoun
CEO, Accelare and key contributor to the process management movement
"Simple Solutions is a riveting story of how one company came back from the brink of ruin, by applying focus and discipline to an area of business that is little understood-- project management. At Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, project management wasn't a dirty word, it was a culture that nourished success. Lisa DiTullio's story illustrates just how powerful leaders can be when they apply simple processes consistently and focus on getting things done. Every CEO and aspiring leader should read this book. It teaches you that you don't need to throw big money at your problems, so much as understand how to choose projects, manage them properly and use processes to get to the desired outcomes. My take on Simple Solutions is that it solves one of the biggest complaints I hear in business today; how do we get people aligned with the goals and hold them accountable for achieving them? Read Simple Solutions. It shows you how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and never again leave your success to chance."
Suzanne Bates
President, CEO, Bates Communications, Inc.
Author, Speak Like a CEO
"It is always a pleasure to see that enhanced project management practices get credit for saving an organization from financial strife. Lisa DiTullio outlines the sequence of events and alarming circumstances that lead the organization to seek an operational recovery plan. DiTullio then highlights the dedicated efforts of the project management personnel in bringing about the recognition of project management sophistication as the means for developing and sustaining a recovery plan. DiTullio describes, with a smooth story-telling style, the organizational alliances, personal dynamics and professional commitment that was instrumental in creating a Project Management Office as a symbolic starting point of the journey toward project management sophistication, and its very pleasant side-effect which is improved fiscal health of the organization."
Parviz Rad, PhD, PE, PMP, CCE
Project Management Excellence
"Simple Solutions provides an exceptional example of how a disciplined and systematic approach to project management emerged as a response to crisis and became a major factor in guiding Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to great success. This book should be used as a roadmap to project excellence by all those involved in managing projects, from beginning project managers to those who have established or wish to establish an enterprise project management office. It belongs in every project manager's library."
John Bonanno
President, Boston University Corporate Education Center
"This book is essential reading for all senior executives who are contemplating implementing project management in their organizations. It shows how visible top-level leadership, rigorous adherence to strategy, and ‘on the ground' detail management are all essential ingredients to business success."
Robert Buttrick
Author, The Project Workout
"Finally, a book that details how to make common sense of enterprise project management. The author offers an enlightening and original point of view on the all-important business concepts and benefits of Enterprise Project Management.....very valuable for anyone in any business endeavor."
Senior Vice President
Boston-based financial services firm
"Lisa DiTullio and Simple Solutions do a superb job telling the intriguing story of project management's role in HPHC's steady rise from the ashes to their #1 ranking among health plans in America. [DiTullio's] extensive experience and professional success position her perfectly to make a compelling case for the need for effective project management in any organization. The book is both interesting and practical as it bridges the HPHC story, the importance of a successful Project Management Office, and practical examples of how project management can be implemented. Any person attempting to establish or improve project management in an organization would benefit greatly from Lisa's insight."
Mike Plunkett
Senior Vice President, Corporate Program Management
First Marblehead Education Resources
"Simple Solutions is an easy read and very down to earth. I took away several actionable items that we are implementing ini our PMO. It's now required reading for our area."
Paula Felver, Project Manager, Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Speaking Engagements
"Lisa DiTullio is an engaging speaker who shared practical experience, tips and techniques and tools that will help Project Managers be more productive and team members more engaged. I highly recommend her as a facilitator, trainer and Project Management consultant."
April M. Cox, PMP
Lead for the Project Management Practice Community, IS Project Manager
CVS/Caremark Corporation
"I would strongly recommend Lisa DiTullio as a speaker. I had the privilege to listen to Lisa's presentation about establishing a successful PMO twice this year. The first time was in March 2007 at the combined HIMSS/PMI workshop in Providence, RI, where she was simply the best speaker. She had a great story to tell and captivated the entire audience. She kindly accepted my invitation to present at our PMI Maine 2007-2008 season kick-off in September 2007. We used our State ATM TV network to reach out the PM community in remote locations. We were very fortunate to have her as our first speaker this year."
Ludo Bruyere, VP, Finance, PMI Maine Chapter
"Lisa, I just want to say that your presentation was useful, practical and informative!! Thanks for sharing and helping others as they try to implement project management within their respective organizations. I wish other presentations were as valuable."
Carrie Clark, Director, Enterprise Project Office, R. L. Polk & Co.
"Hi Lisa, So nice meeting you at the symposium. I so enjoyed talked with you. Then your presentation was like dessert for me. What you have accomplished is truly groundbreaking within business today."
Attendee, IPOS06 Conference, Atlanta Georgia
"I send this note to personally thank you for your 2 day lecture last week at ProjectWorld. I truly enjoyed your insight on various issues around the structure of a PMO. Your style and approach was greatly appreciated and a joy for the 2 days."
Wayne Erskine, Manager-Strategic Program Management, Canadian Blood Services