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Author: Mark Whitfield
Welcome to my site!
After graduating in Computing in 1990, I accepted a position as a programmer at a Runcorn based software house specialising in electronic banking software, namely sp/ARCHITECT-BANK on Tandem Computers (now HPE NonStop). This was before the internet became more prevalent and so the notion of enabling desktop access to company accounts for inter-account transfers and book keeping was still quite a cutting edge idea (and smartphones only ever hinted at in Space 1999). The company was called The Software Partnership (which was taken over by Deluxe Data in 1994).
I spent 5 years in Runcorn developing code for SP/ARCHITECT for various banks like TSB, Bank of Scotland, Rabobank and Girofon (Denmark) to name but a few. I then moved onto a software house in Salford Quays for further bank facing projects. After a further 23 years in the IT industry and now a Senior IT Project Manager (both Agile and Waterfall delivery), I thought I would echo out my Career Profile in this corner of the internet for quick and easy access.
PRINCE2 management products are the 26 standard documents (templates) used to manage a project throughout its lifecycle. They are categorised into Baselines (plans and definitions), Records (registers and logs), and Reports (periodic updates).
PRINCE2 Microsoft Project & Excel templates
Management Products Overview
The core templates provided in the methodology ensure consistent project control. Official templates are often available through accredited providers, this website or the official AXELOS website.
Baselines: Used to define the project foundation (e.g., Business Case, Project Initiation Document, Plan).
Records: Dynamic logs to track day-to-day data (e.g., Risk Register, Issue Register, Lessons Log).
Reports: Snapshots of progress or specific events (e.g., Highlight Report, Checkpoint Report, Exception Report).
Historical Timeline of Templates & Methodology
The evolution of these products reflects a shift from rigid, IT-specific documents to flexible, industry-agnostic templates.
The Pre-PRINCE Era (1975 – 1988)
1975: PROMPT II (Project Resource Organisation Management and Planning Techniques) was developed by Simpact Systems Ltd.
Key Focus: Introduced the concept of project phases (Initiation, Specification, Design) but was strictly for IT.
The PRINCE Era (1989 – 1995)
1989: PRINCE (PROMPT II in the CCTA Environment) launched by the UK Government’s CCTA.
Key Focus: Added Critical Path Analysis and formal management roles, but remained IT-heavy and rigid.
The PRINCE2 Emergence (1996 – 2008)
1996: PRINCE2 (1st Edition) was released as a generic framework.
Key Change: IT-specific jargon was removed to make templates applicable to any industry.
2002/2005: Minor updates (3rd and 4th Editions) focused on minor refinements based on user feedback.
The Revision Era (2009 – 2022)
2009: PRINCE2:2009 Refresh (5th Edition) introduced the seven core principles.
Key Change: Templates were simplified and made more customisable to reduce “prowess-driven” bureaucracy.
2017: PRINCE2 6th Edition (formerly the 2017 Update) launched.
Key Change: Emphasis on Tailoring and scalability for different project sizes.
The Modern Era (2023 – Present)
2023: PRINCE2 7th Edition was released.
Key Change: Added a “People” element and introduced three new management approaches: Sustainability, Commercial, and Digital & Data.
Template Kits & Resources
For those seeking pre-formatted digital versions:
PRINCE2 7th Edition Template Bundle: Comprehensive sets including MS Project MPP, Excel Gantt charts, and Word artifacts are available at Etsy and eBay.
Specialised Packs: Focused collections like the PRINCE2 Control & Monitoring Pack can be found at WorkFlo Design.
Individual Documents: Individual templates like the Project Initiation Document (PID) are often sold separately for specific project needs.
PRINCE2 Templates can be purchased directly from this website including a Microsoft Project Plan in MPP format and also a Microsoft Excel Project Plan in XLS format, see below and website link.
PRINCE2 Management Products Templates Overview and Historical Timeline
PRINCE2 Microsoft Project MPP file templatePRINCE2 Microsoft Excel XLS template 1PRINCE2 Microsoft Excel XLS template 2
Mark Whitfield’s PRINCE2 template collection is a comprehensive set of over 200 editable Microsoft Office documents designed to support both waterfall and agile project delivery. These templates are classified into several key categories, ranging from core PRINCE2 management products to advanced planning and tracking tools.
Example Microsoft Project MPP file template
Core PRINCE2 Management Product Templates
This category includes the standard documentation required by the PRINCE2 methodology, often provided in MS Word (.doc) format.
Project Initiation & Definition:
Project Brief: Initial summary used to gain approval for the initiation stage.
Project Initiation Document (PID): A comprehensive document containing the project definition, approach, business case, and management strategies.
Business Case: The primary justification for the project’s existence.
Registers and Logs:
Risk Register: For identifying and managing project risks.
Issue Register & Issue Report: For tracking and detailing specific project problems.
Lessons Log & Lessons Report: To capture and share knowledge gained throughout the project.
Daily Log: For the Project Manager to record informal issues or activities.
Reporting and Progress:
Highlight Report: Periodic progress updates for the Project Board.
Checkpoint Report: Updates from the Team Manager to the Project Manager.
End Stage & End Project Reports: Summaries of performance at key project milestones.
Exception Report: Used when a project is forecast to exceed its tolerances.
Quality and Configuration:
Product Description: Detailed specifications for each project deliverable.
Quality Register: Records all planned and completed quality activities.
Configuration Item Record: Tracks the status and version of project products.
Advanced Planning and Tracking Templates
Whitfield provides specialized tools for visual scheduling and financial management, primarily in MS Excel and MS Project (.mpp) formats.
Project Planners:
PRINCE2 Waterfall Project Planner: A detailed Gantt-view planner in Excel for those without MS Project licenses.
MS Project (MPP) Templates: Pre-configured plans for PRINCE2 7th Edition, including end-to-end tasks and lifecycle stages.
Plan on a Page (POaP): High-level visual summaries of project timelines.
Resource and Financial Management:
Project Financial Tracker: Monitors forecast vs. actual costs, including margins and expenses.
Resource Costing Grid: Detailed grids for calculating costs per project phase.
RACI Tracker: Defines Roles and Responsibilities (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed).
Operational and Agile Support
These supplemental templates assist with daily project operations and hybrid agile environments.
RAID Log: A centralized tracker for Risks, Actions, Issues, and Dependencies.
Agile Specifics: Burn-down/up charts and sprint-view Gantt charts for scrum-based delivery.
Stakeholder Analysis Plan: Tools to map stakeholder influence versus impact.
Mobilisation/On-boarding Kit: PowerPoint templates for team kick-offs and onboarding.
Visual Classification (Font Coding)
In many of Whitfield’s automated plans, tasks are color-coded for quick visual breakdown:
Black: Traditional PRINCE2 stage or activity.
Blue: Creation of a PRINCE2 artefact (e.g., creating a log).
Roger Federer is a Swiss former professional tennis player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history. His 24-year career (1998–2022) is defined by a “deadly combination of power and grace,” characterized by an effortless one-handed backhand and fluid movement. He won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record eight at Wimbledon, and held the world No. 1 ranking for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks.
Historical Career Timeline
Era 1: Junior Years and Professional Transition (1992–2002)
Before his global dominance, Federer was a temperamental junior who transformed into a top-ten professional.
1992–1993: Served as a ballboy at the Swiss Indoors in his hometown of Basel.
1995: Accepted into the Swiss Tennis national development programme at age 14.
1998: Won the Wimbledon junior singles and doubles titles; finished the year as the world’s No. 1 junior. Made his ATP debut at the Swiss Open Gstaad.
1999: Became the youngest player (18 years, 4 months) to end the year in the top 100.
2000: Reached the bronze-medal match at the Sydney Olympics (finished 4th) and met his future wife, Mirka Vavrinec.
2001: Gained international fame by defeating defending champion Pete Sampras at Wimbledon to reach his first major quarter-final. Won his first ATP title in Milan.
2002: Ended the year ranked No. 6 globally; qualified for his first year-end Masters Cup (ATP Finals).
Era 2: Unrivalled Dominance (2003–2007)
Federer established a “Golden Era,” reaching all four Grand Slam finals in a single year three times during this period (2006, 2007, 2009).
2003: Won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, defeating Mark Philippoussis.
2004: Won three Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and became world No. 1 for the first time on 2 February, a position he would not relinquish for 237 weeks.
2005: Defended his Wimbledon and US Open titles.
2006: Arguably his greatest season, winning three majors and reaching the final of the fourth (French Open); finished with a 92–5 match record.
2007: Reached all four Grand Slam finals again, winning three. Defeated Novak Djokovic in the US Open final to claim his 12th major.
Era 3: Rivalries and Record-Breaking (2008–2012)
As rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic emerged, Federer achieved his most significant career milestones.
2008: Battled mononucleosis but won a fifth consecutive US Open. Won Olympic Gold in doubles with Stan Wawrinka.
2009: Completed the Career Grand Slam by winning the French Open and broke Pete Sampras’s record of 14 majors by winning his 15th at Wimbledon.
2010: Won his fourth Australian Open.
2011: The first year since 2002 he did not win a major title, despite ending Djokovic’s 43-match win streak at the French Open.
2012: Won a record-equalling 7th Wimbledon title, returned to world No. 1, and won Olympic Silver in singles at the London Games.
Era 4: Injury Struggles and Late Renaissance (2013–2019)
After several years of injury and titles eluding him, Federer staged a historic comeback.
2013–2016: Plagued by back and knee injuries. Underwent knee surgery in 2016 and missed the second half of that season, dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in 14 years.
2017: Returned from a 6-month layoff to win the Australian Open (defeating Nadal) and a record 8th Wimbledon title without dropping a set.
2018: Won his 20th and final Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and became the oldest world No. 1 in history at age 36.
2019: Won his 100th career title (Dubai) and reached his 12th Wimbledon final, losing an epic 5-set match to Djokovic despite holding championship points.
Era 5: Retirement (2020–2022)
2020–2021: Limited by multiple knee surgeries. Played his final Grand Slam match at Wimbledon 2021, reaching the quarter-finals.
2022: Announced his retirement in September. Played his final match—a doubles pairing with Rafael Nadal—at the Laver Cup in London.
Roger Federer Overview and Historical Timeline by Era and Year
Roger Federer career statistics
…with hyperlinks
Roger Federer‘s professional career spanned 24 years, from his ATP debut in 1998 to his emotional retirement at the Laver Cup on 23 September 2022. He concluded his career with 103 singles titles and 20 Grand Slam championships, including a record eight Wimbledon titles.
Became World No. 1 for the first time on 2 February, beginning a record-breaking streak of 237 consecutive weeks at the top.
2006: The “Career-Best” Season
Reached the final of all four Grand Slams, winning three of them (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and finishing the year with 12 titles and a 92–5 record.
HP NonStop MultiBatch is a “mainframe-class” workload automation and batch scheduling manager developed by Insider Technologies (distributed by ETI-NET). It is designed specifically for the HPE NonStop (formerly Tandem) platform to automate, manage, and secure complex batch processing across both Guardian and OSS environments.
Product Overview
While the native NonStop scheduler is NetBatch, MultiBatch is positioned as a modern, high-performance alternative that provides deeper integration with the NonStop architecture.
Workload Automation: Manages thousands of concurrent jobs with sophisticated calendaring and dependency tracking.
Architecture: Built to leverage NonStop’s fault tolerance and linear scalability, allowing batch schedules to execute across multiple networked nodes.
Interfaces: Modernized from command-line tools to a suite of role-based Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for operations and management.
Security: Includes a secure, audited environment with full support for NonStop-specific security attributes like High-PIN and CPU selection.
Historical Timeline by Era
The evolution of MultiBatch is closely tied to the history of the Tandem/NonStop platform, which spans over 50 years of ownership changes and architectural shifts.
1. The Tandem Era (1974 – 1997)
1974: Tandem Computers founded by James Treybig to build the first fault-tolerant commercial systems.
Late 1980s – Early 1990s: MultiBatch originated during this period (reportedly in the early 1990s) to address the needs of large financial institutions requiring complex batch schedules beyond the capabilities of the original NetBatch.
1991: Release of the Cyclone/R and the start of the migration from proprietary stack machines to MIPS RISC processors.
2. The Compaq & Early HP Era (1997 – 2014)
1997: Compaq acquires Tandem.
2002: Hewlett-Packard (HP) merges with Compaq. The NonStop platform begins its migration from MIPS to Intel Itanium (branded as Integrity NonStop).
Mid-2000s: MultiBatch matures as a mission-critical tool for global banks and stock exchanges. Development focuses on MultiBatch 7 and 8, enhancing GUI capabilities and adding support for Open System Services (OSS).
3. The Modern HPE Era (2014 – Present)
2014: NonStop X is introduced, moving the architecture from Itanium to Intel x86-64.
2018 – 2020: MultiBatch 9.5 is released with an enhanced GUI. It increasingly becomes the primary alternative as HPE shifts focus away from active sales of the legacy NetBatch product.
2023 – 2024: Release of MultiBatch 10, introducing “Define Classes,” support for up to 2,500 jobs, and improved OSS process handling. This era focuses on “modernisation through tradition,” aligning with HPE’s push for virtualized NonStop and hybrid cloud deployments.
Mark Whitfield is a photographer who has documented the development of MediaCityUK in Salford Quays through an extensive “Photographic Build Timeline Journal”. His collection includes over 15,000 images that capture the site’s transformation from a derelict dockland into a global media hub.
MediaCityUK Photo Timeline
Mark Whitfield: Photography Overview
Project Focus: Whitfield began documenting the rise of MediaCityUK in May 2007, specifically focusing on the construction of the BBC’s new northern home.
Visual Documentation: His work is described as a unique photo timeline that charts the incredible structural changes at the site over several years.
Background: Beyond his photography, Whitfield has a background in IT project management and has worked in Salford Quays for over 15 years.
Galleries: Much of his work is hosted on his personal website, mark-whitfield.com, and he has shared specific milestones on platforms like Flickr and Instagram.
MediaCityUK site in 2007
Historical Timeline of MediaCityUK
The following timeline integrates key development milestones with Whitfield’s photographic journey:
2004–2006: Pre-Construction Phase
The BBC signals its intention to move jobs to Manchester (2004).
Salford Quays is officially chosen as the site for the new development (June 2006).
2007: Construction Begins
May 18, 2007: Mark Whitfield captures his first timeline photo, marking the start of the build.
The first “spade in the ground” occurs as Peel Group and Bovis Lend Lease begin work.
The Pie Factory, a refurbished bakery, opens as the first working studio complex.
2008–2009: Structural Growth
Whitfield continues extensive documentation; photos from April 2008 and February 2009 capture the rising concrete frames of the main buildings.
The high-rise 2,116-space multi-storey car park is completed (August 2009).
2010: Infrastructure Milestones
The MediaCityUK Metrolink station opens (September 20), connecting the site to the wider Manchester tram network.
First trial show is recorded in Studio HQ2 (November), featuring a simulated power failure and evacuation.
Initial infrastructure is completed by December.
2011: Operational Launch
January 2011: Dock10 studios become operational.
February 2011: The first program, Don’t Scare the Hare, is filmed at MediaCityUK.
May 2011: BBC staff begin moving into three dedicated buildings: Bridge House, Dock House, and Quay House.
October 2011: The University of Salford opens its new media academy at the site.
2012–2014: Full Integration
April 2012: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh officially open MediaCityUK.
March 2013: ITV completes its move to the site.
January 2014:Coronation Street records its first episode at the new production facility on Trafford Wharf.
2015–2021: Expansion & Sustainability
2016: Completion of “Tomorrow,” the final building in Phase One.
2020: The Pie Factory closes and is demolished to make way for Phase Two.
2021: MediaCityUK buildings become the first in the UK to achieve net-zero carbon status.
MediaCityUK building beginning to take shape in late 2008
The Waterfall methodology is a linear, sequential project management approach where progress flows steadily downward through defined phases, such as requirements, design, implementation, and testing. Each stage must be completed and approved before the next begins, making it highly structured but often inflexible to changes.
Waterfall template available on this website
Historical Timeline by Era and Year
The history of the Waterfall model spans from early post-WWII engineering to its formalisation in software and eventual institutionalisation in government standards.
The Pre-Formal Era (1950s – 1969)
During this period, software development borrowed heavily from established engineering and manufacturing processes.
1956: Herbert D. Benington presents a paper on the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) project, describing a structured process that many consider the true technical origin of the sequential approach.
Late 1960s: Major NASA projects and government software systems for rockets (e.g., Apollo missions) utilise rigid specifications and linear development due to the high cost of changes.
1968: The NATO Software Engineering Conference identifies the “software crisis”—projects consistently running over budget and time—leading to a push for more disciplined models.
The Formalisation Era (1970 – 1979)
The methodology was formally described, ironically as a cautionary tale, and finally given its name.
1970:Dr. Winston W. Royce publishes “Managing the Development of Large Software Systems”. He presents the sequential diagram but explicitly critiques it as “risky and invites failure,” suggesting a more iterative approach instead.
1976: The term “Waterfall” is officially coined in a paper by Bell and Thayer, “Software Requirements: Are They a Problem?”.
The Institutional Era (1980 – 1999)
Waterfall becomes the global standard for large-scale and regulated industries.
1985: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) adopts DOD-STD-2167, which mandates the use of the Waterfall model for all software development contractors. This cements Waterfall as the “one true way” for government and aerospace projects.
1989: The UK Government creates PRINCE2, a process-based method largely rooted in Waterfall principles, still widely used in the public sector today.
1991: In response to Waterfall’s rigidity, James Martin introduces Rapid Application Development (RAD), one of the first major departures from the linear model.
The Modern & Hybrid Era (2000 – Present)
As Agile became dominant, Waterfall shifted from the default choice to a specialised or hybrid tool.
2001: The Agile Manifesto is published, marking a significant industry-wide shift away from traditional Waterfall toward iterative development.
2009: Major institutions like George Washington University and others begin documenting their Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC) to standardise Waterfall and hybrid models for better oversight.
2020s: Waterfall persists in regulated domains like healthcare, aerospace, and construction. It is increasingly integrated into hybrid methodologies that use Waterfall for high-level planning and Agile for execution.
Waterfall Methodology in Project Management, a Timeline History
The history of the x86 IBM PC platform is defined by a shift from a proprietary IBM product to an open industry standard (“Wintel”) and finally to the modern diverse ecosystem of high-performance computing.
Era 1: The Foundation & The “Big Blue” Monopoly (1978–1981)
Before the first PC, the building blocks of the x86 architecture were established by Intel.
1978: Intel introduces the 8086 microprocessor, the 16-bit foundation of the x86 instruction set.
1979: Intel releases the 8088, a lower-cost version with an 8-bit external bus, which IBM would later choose for its first PC.
1980: Microsoft signs a contract with IBM to develop an operating system (MS-DOS/PC DOS) for their upcoming machine.
1981 (August 12): IBM announces the IBM Personal Computer (Model 5150).
Impact: Its “open architecture” allowed third-party expansion, though the BIOS remained proprietary.
Era 2: The Rise of the Clones (1982–1986)
IBM’s dominance was quickly challenged as other companies “cloned” the hardware and reverse-engineered the BIOS.
1982: Columbia Data Products introduces the MPC 1600, the first 100% IBM PC compatible.
1982: Intel announces the 80286, supporting protected mode and up to 16MB of RAM.
1983: Compaq releases the Compaq Portable, the first highly successful 100% compatible clone with a clean-room engineered BIOS.
1983: IBM launches the PC/XT (Model 5160), the first PC with a built-in hard drive.
1984: IBM introduces the PC/AT (Model 5170) using the 80286 chip, which sets the standard for PC architecture for the next decade.
1985: Intel introduces the 80386, the first 32-bit x86 processor.
1986: Compaq beats IBM to market with the first 386-based PC, the Deskpro 386, signalling IBM’s loss of control over the platform’s technical lead.
Era 3: The “Wintel” Standard & Multimedia (1987–1999)
As IBM tried and failed to regain control with proprietary standards, Microsoft and Intel became the new “de facto” leaders.
1987: IBM launches the PS/2 line with the proprietary MicroChannel Architecture (MCA), but the industry rejects it in favour of the open AT-bus (ISA).
1989: Intel releases the 486DX, integrating the math co-processor and L1 cache onto the chip.
1993: Intel debuts the Pentium processor, moving away from numbers to a trademarked brand to prevent competitors from using the name.
1995: Windows 95 is released, cementing the GUI as the standard interface for x86 PCs.
1997: Intel launches MMX technology to improve multimedia performance on PCs.
Era 4: 64-Bit & Multi-Core (2000–2019)
The platform evolved to handle massive data and professional workloads through architectural shifts.
2003: AMD introduces x86-64, the 64-bit extension that Intel eventually adopts as the industry standard.
2005: Intel ships its first dual-core processor, starting the “core war” to improve performance without increasing heat.
2005: IBM exits the PC market entirely, selling its division to Lenovo.
2006: Apple transitions its Macintosh line to Intel x86 processors (a move that lasted until 2020).
2011: The 30th anniversary of the IBM PC; by this time, “PC” almost exclusively meant an x86 machine running Windows.
Era 5: The Modern Era (2020–Present)
Current x86 systems focus on massive core counts, high-speed storage (NVMe), and integrated AI.
2020–2022: Development of high-performance multi-core architectures like Intel’s 12th Gen (Alder Lake), introducing hybrid performance and efficiency cores.
2025–2026: Transition to “AI PCs” using processors like the Intel Core Ultra series (Series 2), which include NPUs (Neural Processing Units) for local AI workloads.
Today: Modern x86 PCs, such as those from Dell or Lenovo, feature 20+ cores, DDR5 memory, and PCIe 5.0 expansion.
History of the x86 IBM PC platform by Era and Year
BASE24 is the world’s most widely used payment processing platform, developed by ACI Worldwide. Originally designed for ATM networks, it evolved into a comprehensive system for acquiring, authenticating, and routing card-based and digital transactions across various channels. It is known for its high-performance, fault-tolerant architecture, processing nearly 50% of the world’s electronic transactions at its peak.
Comprehensive Timeline by Era
Era 1: Foundations & The Rise of BASE24 Classic (1975–1990s)
This era focused on high-availability software for the emerging automated banking industry, specifically for Tandem NonStop servers.
1975: ACI founded in Omaha, Nebraska, to develop software for the new “NonStop” server computers used by banks and stock exchanges.
1981: Secured its first international client, an Australian bank, marking the start of global expansion.
1982:Launch of BASE24, the first global product designed for 24-hour system operations, originally focused on ATM networks.
1986: Rapid growth led to 131 customers across 14 different countries.
Era 2: Expansion & Public Transition (1995–2000s)
The platform expanded into Point of Sale (POS) and branch systems while the company underwent major structural changes.
1995: The company went public on NASDAQ as Transaction Systems Architects (TSA).
1997: Officially adopted the name ACI Worldwide.
Early 2000s: Introduction of BASE24-es (later renamed BASE24-eps), a next-generation platform using C++ and object-based architecture to replace the legacy monolithic design.
Era 3: Modernisation & The “eps” Shift (2005–2015)
ACI shifted focus toward BASE24-eps, a more flexible, open-architecture version designed for multi-channel transaction processing.
2005: ACI launches BASE24-eps, featuring a modular engine capable of processing approximately 2,000 transactions per second (TPS) with extremely low latency.
2007: TSA officially rebranded all operations under the ACI Worldwide, Inc. (ACIW) name.
2008: Announced that BASE24 Classic would begin maturing in 2011, urging customers to migrate to the eps platform for better integration with modern systems like IBM System z.
2011–2012: Release of BASE24-eps 11.1, adding support for DB2 on IBM System p, enhanced EMV acquiring, and tools for easier migration from legacy BASE24.
Era 4: Cloud & Universal Payments (2015–Present)
The platform moved toward cloud-native capabilities and broader ecosystem integration.
2015: ACI celebrated its 40th anniversary, continuing to power electronic payments for over 6,000 organisations worldwide.
2018: Introduction of UP BASE24-eps on Linux in the Cloud, demonstrating significantly reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through public and private cloud deployment.
Present: BASE24 remains a core pillar of ACI’s portfolio, supporting traditional card, ATM, mobile commerce, and internet banking transactions.
BASE24-eps by ACI Worldwide timeline by era and year
BASE24-eps is a modular, high-availability payment processing engine developed by ACI Worldwide. It evolved from the original “BASE24 Classic” to provide a more flexible, open-system architecture for acquiring, authenticating, routing, and authorizing electronic transactions.
Base24-eps Overview
Architecture: Unlike the TAL-based Classic version, BASE24-eps uses an object-oriented design written primarily in C++ and Java.
Key Features:
Multi-Channel Support: Manages transactions from ATMs, POS terminals, mobile, and ecommerce.
Late 1970s: Development of the original BASE24 (now known as “Classic”), focused on high-uptime ATM processing.
1981: First international customer (an Australian bank) signs on, starting the global expansion of BASE24.
Transition & Development Era (2000 – 2005)
Early 2000s: ACI begins developing the “next generation” platform, initially called BASE24-es (extended systems), which later becomes BASE24-eps (enterprise payment system).
2003 – 2004: The product begins migrating to open architectures, moving away from platform-specific languages.
Mainstream Adoption Era (2006 – 2013)
2007: ACI highlights BASE24-eps as its strategic future platform in investor overviews.
2008: ACI announces the maturation of BASE24 Classic (ending standard maintenance in 2011), urging customers to migrate to BASE24-eps.
2009: IBM Redbooks releases technical guides for BASE24-eps 08.2 on z/OS, solidifying its place in enterprise banking.
2013: Release of BASE24-eps 2.0, introducing the “customer component” and enhanced service-enabling wrappers.
Mark Whitfield provides a comprehensive suite of over 200 editable project management templates designed for both Agile and Waterfall delivery. These tools are built based on 21+ years of IT project delivery experience and are formatted for Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Microsoft Project (MPP).
Core Planning & Tracking Templates
Detailed Project Plans: Comprehensive MPP and Excel files covering the full Software Development Life-cycle (SDLC), including Waterfall and Agile Scrum sprints.
Plan on a Page (POaP): High-level visual summaries in PowerPoint or Excel for client reporting and executive snapshots.
RAID Log: A central tracker for Risks, Actions, Issues, and Dependencies, often including tabs for Decisions, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned.
RACI Matrix: A tracker to define roles and responsibilities (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed).
Financial & Resource Management
Project Finance Tracker: Tools for managing project budgets, including forecasts vs. actuals, margin analysis, and variation tracking.
Resource Planning: Grid templates for costing project resources per phase and tracking team allocations.
Benefits Realisation: A spreadsheet to compare initial project goals against actual business outcomes and costs.
Reporting & Communication
Status Reports: Weekly and monthly templates in Word and PowerPoint that include milestone dashboards, project health indicators, and “next steps”.
Organisation Charts: Templates for visualising the project hierarchy and stakeholder contacts.
Agile Dashboards: Excel-based Burn Down and Burn Up charts for teams that do not have access to tools like Jira.
Methodology Support
PRINCE2 7th Edition: Specific MPP and Excel templates aligned with the latest PRINCE2 standards.
Agile Frameworks: Templates for Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, and Sprint Retrospectives.
These templates are available for purchase on Mark Whitfield’s official site and typically include free lifetime upgrades.
Free Upgrade Project Management Templates Download by focus area
Mark Whitfield, an IT Project Manager specializing in HP NonStop systems, has a career and training history that spans over three decades, from his academic beginnings in the late 1980s to advanced cloud certifications in the 2020s.
Early Career & Foundations (1988–1995)
During this era, Whitfield focused on core computer science and specialized mainframe systems while working for The Software Partnership (TSP) and Deluxe Data.
1988–1990: Completed a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computing at the Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE). Modules included Computer Systems Architecture, Programming Methodology, and Data Processing.
May 1993: Tandem Guardian Principles Course.
September 1994: VPS 7000/9000 Series and VPS Application Development (VOS 4.3).
June 1995: HP NonStop (Tandem) Performance Analysis and Tuning.
Development & Technical Specialisation (1995–2005)
Working primarily with Insider Technologies Limited, this period was marked by software development training in languages like C++ and initial forays into project management.
November 1995: HP NonStop TAL Programming.
March 1997: C / C++ Programming at Comtec Computer Training.
October 1998: Managing Multiple Projects, Objectives, and Deadlines at SkillPath.
February 1999: Successful Project Management at SkillPath.
May 2000: Microsoft Project ’98 Certification (Orange Belt) at the IIL UK Education Centre.
February 2001: Sales and Marketing training (In-House).
March 2004: MultiBatch NSK Job Scheduling Product.
February 2005: Web Services and SOA.
Web Development & Security Focus (2006–2010)
This era shows a shift toward web-based technologies and specialized security products.
January 2006: PRINCE2 Project Management Foundation.
February 2006: NetObjects Fusion.
March 2006: Cryptography (In-House at Thales e-Security).
December 2006: Thales e-Security SafeSign Product.
January 2007: Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET.
March 2009: Querying Microsoft SQL 2000 with Transact SQL (M2071) at QA Training.
May 2009: Writing for the Web and Website Visibility & Promotion at iTrain Education.
November 2009: Thales e-Security HP NonStop Security Resource Manager (SRM).
Agile & Advanced Management (2011–Present)
In his current era at companies like Betfred and Capgemini, Whitfield has prioritized professional certifications in management and cloud infrastructure.
May 2011: Agile SCRUM Training (RADTAC) and PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification (ILX Group).
June–July 2011: Java and Google Android programming using the Eclipse IDE.
January 2012: ITIL Foundation Course.
July 2014: Advanced Microsoft Excel 2013.
November 2017: Advanced Engagement Management Certification (Level 2) at Capgemini.
February 2022: AZ-900 Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals.
July 2024: Microsoft Excel Refresher 2024 via Udemy.
Mark Whitfield is a Senior, SC cleared IT Project and Engagement Manager with over 30 years of experience, specializing in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) for large-scale digital and financial payment systems.
Mark Whitfield is a Senior, SC cleared IT Project and Engagement Manager
Key Projects: Leading high-value digital transformations and cloud migrations for UK Government applications, automotive (Jaguar Land Rover), and aerospace (Air Traffic Management iOS apps).
2014–2016: Betfred Limited (UK)
Role: IT Senior Digital Project Manager, Online and Mobile Division.
Key Projects: Managed multiple Agile SCRUM projects for payment gateways, sportsbooks, and virtual gaming components across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.
2013–2014: Wincor Nixdorf Limited (UK)
Role: Project Manager, Professional Services – Banking Division.
Key Projects: Managed a £5M+ workstream for Lloyds Banking Group’s Self-Service Software Replacement (SSSR) program, migrating legacy HP NonStop systems to AIX-based Oracle technologies.
Mark Whitfield’s project management (PM) template collection is a comprehensive professional toolkit containing over 200 editable templates. Designed for both Agile Scrum and PRINCE2/Waterfall delivery, the set is built on over 24 years of real-world experience and is available for purchase on his official website and Etsy.
Core Planning & Tracking Templates
Detailed Project Plans: Comprehensive Microsoft Project (MPP) and Excel plans mapped to the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Plan on a Page (POaP): High-level visual summaries for client presentations, provided in both Excel and PowerPoint.
RAID Log: A robust Excel tracker managing Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies, often including tabs for Change Requests and Lessons Learned.
Financial Trackers: Detailed spreadsheets for tracking project forecasts, actuals, variance, and resource costing.
RACI Matrix: Essential for defining roles (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) within the project team.
Methodology-Specific Artifacts
Agile Scrum: Includes burn-down and burn-up charts, sprint planning logs, and templates for daily stand-ups and retrospectives.
PRINCE2/Waterfall: Tailored plans for 7th Edition standards, including project mandates, transition plans, and close-out checklists.
Reporting & Documentation
Status Reports: Weekly and monthly templates in Word and PowerPoint to communicate project health to stakeholders.
Walkthrough Guides: The ZIP package includes Microsoft Word documents explaining how to use and customise each major template.
The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Studies at the Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE)—now the University of Greater Manchester—is a two-year, Level 5 vocational qualification designed to provide practical, industry-specific skills.
BIHE / University of Greater Manchester Evolution
The institution has undergone several name changes and status upgrades that affected the delivery of the HND:
1982: BIHE was formed through the merger of Bolton Institute of Technology and Bolton College of Education (Technical).
1992: The Institute was granted the power to award taught degrees.
2004/2005: BIHE achieved full university status, becoming the University of Bolton.
2024: The university rebranded as the University of Greater Manchester.
HND Computer Studies: Detailed Timeline
The course traditionally follows a two-year full-time or three-year part-time structure.
Year 1: Foundations (HE4 Level)
The first year focuses on establishing core technical and business knowledge. In many versions of the Bolton curriculum, Year 1 is common across several computing programmes to allow for flexible progression.
Core Modules:
Introduction to Programming: Developing fundamental coding logic.
Computer Platforms & Systems Architecture: Understanding the hardware and software environments.
Information Systems & Databases: The basics of data management.
Website Production & Networking Fundamentals: Introduction to web technologies and connectivity.
Quantitative Techniques & Business Studies: Integrating mathematical and commercial contexts.
Year 2: Specialisation (HE5 Level)
The second year shifts toward advanced application, systems analysis, and professional practice.
Advanced Modules:
Systems Analysis & Design: Producing system requirements and user interface specifications.
Programming Methodology: Moving into more complex application development.
Business Information Systems: Exploring how IT supports organizational requirements.
Final Year Project: A major 20-credit core project where students investigate a specific field and apply their cumulative skills to a real-world scenario.
Progression and Modern Standards
Academic Standing: Completion of the HND is equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree (Level 5).
Modern HTQs: Current versions of the course, such as the HND Computing for England (HTQ), now integrate modern fields like Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and VR technologies.
1988 to 1990 : University of Greater Manchester (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE)Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Studies, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE)—now the University of Greater Manchester
The Creative Arts BA (Hons) at Bangor University is a three-year, full-time course (UCAS code: WPQ3) that integrates film, media, journalism, and creative writing. It is designed to balance theoretical study with practical, hands-on production.
Creative Arts BA (Hons) at Bangor University is a full-time course that integrates film, media, journalism, and creative writing
Year 1: Foundations
In the first year, students must complete 120 credits to build a base in both creative practice and academic theory.
Compulsory Modules: A primary core module is Adventures in the Creative Arts (20 credits), which introduces multidisciplinary approaches to the field.
Core Skills: You will begin developing production techniques in areas such as audio and visual production, print journalism, and digital media.
Theoretical Grounding: Introductory modules cover film theory and cultural studies to enrich your research and analytical skills.
Year 2: Specialisation & Development
The second year allows for deeper engagement with specific creative industries.
Elective Choice: Students can tailor their studies to their interests, choosing between practice-based modules (e.g., screenwriting, documentary filmmaking, journalism practice) or academic-focused modules (e.g., media regulation, history of film).
Professional Engagement: You are encouraged to build professional networks through regular visits from filmmakers, journalists, and designers.
Optional Years: After Year 2, you may opt to take an International Experience Year or a Placement Year to work with a professional organisation.
Year 3: Synthesis & Final Project
The final year focuses on high-level production and a significant independent project.
Final Year Project: Instead of a traditional long-form essay, you can demonstrate your progress through creative outputs such as a fictionalised response, an online exhibition, a vlog, or a professional portfolio.
Advanced Practice: Modules continue to cover specialized topics like digital journalism, visual culture, and global media.
Professional Showcase: Students often participate in the annual media showcase held at the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, providing exposure for their work.
Teaching & Facilities
Learning Methods: Instruction is delivered through lectures, small seminar groups, interactive workshops, and one-to-one supervision.
Facilities: Students have access to industry-standard equipment via an extensive loan service (video/stills cameras, digital recorders) and dedicated creative spaces.
Assessment: Progress is measured via coursework, presentations, essays, and practical submissions (e.g., short films, scripts, or digital media pieces).
Creative Arts BA (Hons) at Bangor University is a full-time course that integrates film, media, journalism, and creative writing
Bangor University History Timeline by Era and Year
Bangor University (Welsh: Prifysgol Bangor) is a public research university in North Wales, originally founded as the University College of North Wales (UCNW) on 18 October 1884. Established through a historic public campaign, its foundation was uniquely funded by local quarrymen and farmers who contributed their own wages to ensure access to higher education for the people of North Wales.
Today, it is a prominent institution with over 10,000 students and 2,000 staff members, recognised for its research excellence and strong Welsh cultural identity.
Comprehensive Timeline of Bangor University
Era 1: Foundation & Early Years (1881–1899)
1881: The Aberdare Report recommends creating two university colleges in Wales, one for the south and one for the north.
1883: A committee selects Bangor over 12 other towns (including Wrexham and Rhyl) to host the new college.
1884 (18 October): The University College of North Wales officially opens in the Penrhyn Arms, an old coaching inn, with 58 students and 10 staff members.
1884: Mary Ellen Williams becomes the first student to enrol; female students notably make up one-third of the initial population.
1885: The institution receives its Royal Charter.
1893: Bangor becomes a founding constituent college of the federal University of Wales, ending its initial practice of conferring degrees through the University of London.
Era 2: The College on the Hill (1900–1939)
1903: The city of Bangor donates a 10-acre site at Penrallt for a new building.
1907: King Edward VII lays the foundation stone for the “Main Arts” building.
1911: The iconic Main Arts Building (the “College on the Hill”) is officially opened by King George V.
1926: The Science Departments, which had remained at the old Penrhyn Arms, move to new purpose-built facilities funded by the North Wales Heroes Memorial.
Era 3: Wartime & Mid-Century Expansion (1940–1999)
1940s (WWII): The university’s Prichard-Jones Hall is used to safeguard national art gallery paintings from enemy bombing.
1942: Neuadd Reichel, a hostel for male students designed by Percy Thomas, opens on the Ffriddoedd site.
1960s: Rapid expansion follows the Robbins Report, including the completion of the “New Arts” wing (1968) and the establishment of new departments like Social Theory (1966).
1967: The Bangor Normal College hosts lectures by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, attended by The Beatles.
1977: St Mary’s College, a women’s teacher training college, merges with the university.
1996: The Normal College (founded 1858) officially merges with the university, which is renamed University of Wales, Bangor.
Era 4: Independence & Modern Era (2000–Present)
2003: Storm FM, the official student radio station, begins broadcasting.
2007: The institution gains independent university status and adopts its current name, Bangor University.
2009: The university celebrates its 125th anniversary and begins awarding its own degrees independently of the University of Wales.
2015: The Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre and St Mary’s Student Village open.
2018: The M-SParc science park on Anglesey is completed.
2024: The university celebrates its 140th anniversary and opens its independent North Wales Medical School with its first intake of 80 students.
2025: A £10.5 million donation leads to the redevelopment and renaming of the Albert Guday Business School.
HP NonStop (originally Tandem) training focuses on the platform’s unique fault-tolerant architecture, designed to ensure 24×7 availability and data integrity for mission-critical industries like finance and telecommunications. Current training is provided by HPE Education Services, which offers expert-led courses ranging from basic concepts to advanced system management and database administration.
Training Overview
HPE’s curriculum is structured to support IT teams at all levels—from beginners to experienced operators—and can be customised for specific business needs. Key training areas include:
System Operations: Managing NonStop environments, including S-Series or newer x86-based systems.
PROject Templates 