
Event Date
September 15-17, 2026 (HPE Education Sept. 14)
Event Location
Orlando, Florida
Venue
The Rosen Plaza 9700 International Drive
Contact Us
info@connect-community.org


September 15-17, 2026 (HPE Education Sept. 14)
Orlando, Florida
The Rosen Plaza 9700 International Drive
info@connect-community.org



Project management deliverables are the tangible or intangible outputs—products, services, or documents—produced as a result of project activities. They are specific, measurable, and agreed upon by stakeholders to demonstrate progress toward project goals.
Overview of Project Deliverables
Deliverables are essential for breaking down project goals into manageable components, tracking progress, and ensuring stakeholder alignment.
Types of Deliverables:
Textual/Documentation Deliverables Project Lifecycle
The project lifecycle defines the stages a project goes through from start to finish. Textual and documentation deliverables are key to managing and controlling these stages.
1. Initiation Phase (Initiating)
2. Planning Phase (Planning)
3. Execution Phase (Executing)
4. Monitoring and Controlling Phase
5. Closing Phase (Closure)
Best Practices for Managing Deliverables
Project Management Deliverables relating to Project Lifecycle







Microsoft Project has evolved from a DOS-based scheduling tool in 1984 into a comprehensive project portfolio management (PPM) system and, as of 2024–2026, a cloud-native platform integrating with Microsoft 365 and Planner.

Historical Timeline by Era
1. The DOS Era: Foundations (1984–1989)
2. The Windows & Early Office Era: GUI & Integration (1990–1999)
3. The Enterprise & Collaboration Era: Server Integration (2000–2010)
4. The Cloud & Subscription Era: PPM & Modernization (2013–2023)
5. The Future Era: Unified Planner & Web (2024–2026)

Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Summary of Major Version Transitions
Microsoft Project Extensions :
Microsoft Project primarily uses .mpp for project plans and .mpt for templates, with specialized extensions like .vsdx for timeline visuals. These files are used to manage project schedules, resources, and budgets, with support for add-ins that integrate with Microsoft Teams, Power BI, and other Office applications.
Core Microsoft Project Extensions
File Compatibility & Viewers
Because .mpp files require a Microsoft Project license, alternative tools are used to view them without the desktop application:
Add-ins and Integrations
Extensions for Microsoft Project can be found via the Office Add-ins store, improving productivity and integration:
Microsoft Project Timeline by Era, Features and Extensions


The HPE NonStop community, historically rooted in Tandem Computers’ culture of openness, has held an annual gathering since the early 1980s.
Originally known as the International Tandem Users Group (ITUG) summits, the main conference evolved into the NonStop Technical Boot Camp (TBC), now organized by Connect Worldwide and heavily supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
The conference serves as the premier annual gathering for NonStop users, focusing on technical education, mission-critical applications, and networking.
Detailed Historical Timeline (1990–2026)
The “Tandem/ITUG” Era (1990–1996)
The Compaq & HP Transition Era (1997–2014)
The HPE NonStop X & Virtualization Era (2015–2019)
The AI & 50th Anniversary Era (2020–2026)
Conference Insights and Evolution
NonStop TBC 2026 is scheduled for Sept 14–18 in Orlando, FL.
The history of Tandem Computers (now HPE NonStop) conferences is a nearly 50-year chronicle of community-driven knowledge sharing, evolving from the Tandem User’s Group (TUG) in 1978 to the modern HPE NonStop Technology & Business Conference (TBC).
These events have served as the primary venue for sharing best practices on fault tolerance, high availability, and mission-critical application design, bridging the gap between Tandem’s founding in 1974 and HPE’s current virtualized NonStop systems.
Detailed Historical Conference & Product Timeline (1970s–Present)
Key Conference Themes & Insights (2026 Perspective)



WordPress has evolved from a niche blogging tool in 2003 into the dominant Content Management System (CMS), powering over 43% of all websites on the internet as of 2026. Its history is defined by consistent innovation, transitioning from simple blogging to a block-based full-site editing platform. This https://mark-whitfield.com website is WordPress.

✨ The Eras of WordPress Evolution
📜 Detailed Historical Timeline by Era and Year
Phase 1: Foundations and Early Growth (2003–2007)
Phase 2: Expanding to a CMS (2008–2014)
Phase 3: The Block Editor & Full Site Editing (2015–Present)
📊 Key Insight Metrics (2026)
The platform continues to grow, with roughly 660 new WordPress sites created daily.
WordPress Overview and Detailed Timeline by Era and Year
Libra is the seventh star sign of the zodiac, governing the period from approximately September 23 to October 22. As a cardinal air sign ruled by Venus, Libra is symbolized by the Scales, representing a deep commitment to balance, justice, and harmony.

Full Insight: Personality and Traits
Detailed Historical Timeline
Current Timeline: 2025-2026

Key 2026 Themes for Libra



BASE24 is a foundational electronic payments software suite developed by ACI Worldwide, first launched in 1982 to provide “always-on” (24/7/365) transaction processing, primarily on HP NonStop servers.
It is used by large financial institutions to acquire, authenticate, route, switch, and authorize card- and non-card-based financial transactions across multiple channels, including ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and mobile/internet banking.
The product has evolved from “Base24 Classic” into BASE24-eps (formerly BASE24-es), a modern, object-oriented, platform-independent payments engine designed to support high-volume, real-time transaction processing in hybrid or cloud-based environments.


Comprehensive Historical Timeline of BASE24
Key Features of BASE24-eps
BASE24 Classic vs. BASE24-eps
BASE24 Overview and Historical Timeline
The International Tandem User Group (ITUG) is a non-profit association dedicated to users of the Tandem NonStop computing platform. Now part of the Connect Worldwide community, it facilitates education, networking, and technical exchange between users, vendors, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
ITUG Overview
Historical Timeline by Era
1. The Foundational Era (1974–1983)
2. Growth and Expansion Era (1984–1996)
3. Acquisition and Integration Era (1997–2008)
4. Modern Era (2009–Present)
……….
HP Connect (often referred to as Connect Worldwide) is a leading global IT user community dedicated to professionals using Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and HP Inc. solutions. It serves as an independent hub for peer-to-peer networking, technical education, and advocacy, primarily supporting users of high-availability systems like NonStop, ProLiant, and HP-UX.
Historical Timeline by Era
The community’s history is defined by the evolution and eventual merger of several legacy user groups representing the giants of the mid-20th-century computing world.
1. The Legacy Foundations (1960s – 1990s)
Before the name “Connect” existed, three distinct user groups served the customers of the companies that would eventually form the modern HP/HPE ecosystem:
2. The Consolidation Era (2000 – 2008)
Major corporate mergers necessitated the union of these independent communities:
3. The Unified “Connect” Era (2008 – 2015)
During this period, Connect Worldwide solidified its role as the primary independent voice for HP enterprise technology:
4. The Modern Era & Digital Transformation (2015 – Present)
Following the historic 2015 split of Hewlett-Packard into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), the community adapted to a dual-focus landscape:
The European BASE24 User Group (EBUG) was a prominent, community-led organization dedicated to the BASE24 payment processing system. It served as a vital hub for financial institutions and vendors to exchange technical knowledge, discuss platform migrations, and influence the development of ACI Worldwide products.
Group Overview
Detailed Timeline
The history of EBUG is marked by its annual conferences held in major European cities and its eventual transition to an independent entity:
……….
The Payments Knowledge Forum (PKF) is an independent, user-led resource dedicated to the exchange of information regarding payment systems. It operates without vendor affiliation, bringing together financial institutions, retailers, processors, and consultants to share practical expertise and shape the future of payment activities.
Overview of the Payments Knowledge Forum
Detailed Timeline of Major Payment Milestones
The following timeline tracks critical industry milestones often discussed and addressed within the forum’s scope:
Annual Conference & Resources
The PKF holds an annual conference that serves as its primary knowledge-sharing event.
……….
Some HPE NonStop BASE24 related User groups on LinkedIn :
BASE24 BASE24-eps User Group Forum | HP NonStop Tandem NSK IBM SUN Windows – News Events Discussion
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51296/
PCI DSS Compliant Payments Transactions Compliance Monitoring Alerting Querying Archiving Reporting
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/146595/
HPE NonStop Tandem | Guardian OSS Performance Monitoring Management Integrity Blade Itanium ServerNet
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/165816/
BASE24 BASE24-eps – HP NonStop Tandem IBM SUN – Open System Services OSS RealTime – Experts Users
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/150095/
SATUG Southern African HP NonStop Tandem NSK Server User Group – SATUG
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/81881/
Payment Engine Applications Forum | Retail and Wholesale | HP NonStop NSK Tandem SUN IBM Windows
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/80773/
HPE NonStop Tandem NSK OSS Open System Services Monitoring – Users, Experts and Technical Authorities
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/80740/
Job Batch Scheduling | HP NonStop Tandem Guardian Open System Services OSS Servernet Integrity Blade
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/78111/

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced, SC-cleared Senior Engagement Project Manager at Capgemini UK (2016–present), specialising in complex Agile and Waterfall digital transformations, cloud migrations (Azure/AWS), and application modernisation.

Based in Manchester, he has delivered high-value projects for government, automotive, and aerospace sectors, often acting as a key client-side technical lead.
Key Capgemini Projects and Account Experience (2016–Present)
Specialised Skills and Roles
Previous Experience
Mark is recognized for being a “no-ego” leader, proactive with detail, and highly effective at managing complex stakeholder environments, often providing a “barrier” for developers against challenging clients, according to colleague feedback.
Mark Whitfield worked at Insider Technologies Limited (ITL) for 18 years, from 1995 to 2013. During his tenure, he progressed from technical roles to Manager of Strategic Technical Initiatives, serving as a Project Manager, Pre-sales Technical Consultant, and Team Lead.

Below is his work focus broken down by era and project type for Insider Technologies Limited, Salford Quays:
Early Era: Technical Foundations & Product Support (1995 – Early 2000s)
Whitfield’s initial focus was heavily technical, providing hands-on support and development specifications for the company’s core HP NonStop (Tandem) banking products.
Middle Era: Product Development & Design (Mid-2000s – 2008)
During this period, his role expanded into technical design and product management for new software solutions.

Late Era: Strategic Initiatives & Major Bids (2008 – 2013)
In his final years at ITL, he focused on large-scale business transformation and high-value project management.
The University of Greater Manchester (formerly known as the University of Bolton from 2005 to 2024) is a public university based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.

It is a “post-92” institution that officially rebranded in late 2024 to reflect its regional focus and, according to its vice-chancellor, to overcome employer prejudice against the smaller town name of Bolton. I studied Computing at Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) between 1988 to 1990 before it was elevated to University status.
LinkedIn Group:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51224
The university dates its roots back to 1824 and focuses on applied research, practical skills, and teaching, with a strong regional reputation for student satisfaction.

🏛️ Comprehensive Insight: University of Greater Manchester
📜 Detailed Historic Timeline (1824–2025)
Era 1: Foundations (1824–1900)
Era 2: The Technical Institution (1900–1980)
Era 3: Formation of Higher Education (1980–2003)


Era 4: The University of Bolton (2004–2024)

Era 5: The University of Greater Manchester (2024–Present)

The University of Greater Manchester based in Bolton


Mark Whitfield is a Senior IT Project Manager and Engagement Manager with over 30 years of experience in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), specializing in digital transformation, payment systems, and HPE NonStop (Tandem) technology.

He is SC cleared (valid until 2031) and currently works at Capgemini UK, having transitioned from a technical programming background to senior project leadership roles.
He is also the creator of PROject Templates, providing a comprehensive, editable suite of over 200 project management tools built over 24+ years of experience.

Comprehensive Career Timeline by Era
1. Technical Foundations & Mainframe Development (1990–1995)

2. Advanced Technical Management & Product Focus (1995–2013)

3. Senior Project Management & Banking Upgrades (2013–2016)
4. Digital Engagement & Cloud Transformation (2016–Present)
Key Areas of Expertise
PROject Templates Resource Overview
Mark Whitfield provides an extensive and fully editable project management template bundle (200+) developed from his 30+ year career.