History

CITI was initially established as a specialist university institute in 1983; fusing the expertise of Cranfield University with the interests of six major users of project management: British Aerospace, British Gas, British Petroleum, British Telecom, Cable & Wireless and Longman.

Today, CITI is focused on providing support to our clients who are intent on improving the delivery performance of their projects and programmes. Our long heritage in education feeds into our consultants' knowledge and skill base, while the experience gained in delivering results to clients enriches and keeps alive the theories and practices taught through our learning solutions.

Our proudest achievement is the way our clients say they have benefited from working with us – our models and approaches merging seamlessly into the way they work and their project and programme managers being successful since applying our techniques.

The true measure of value, and what makes our history the basis of CITI's future, is the longevity of our relationships with our clients: some lasting more than 17 years – as our partners and client-friends.

Historic milestones:

1986 – Cranfield Information Technology Institute (CITI) emerges from its specialist university institute roots and is incorporated. This came about as a result of Sir Henry Chilver’s vision of breaking new ground by providing education, research and consultancy through the commercial and industrial organisations it serves.

1987 – Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships are provided to CITI by the Department of Education. Consultancy and development assignments are undertaken in various industries and commercial sectors. CITI is given a parliamentary dispensation to make a profit while providing tertiary education qualifications and work-based developments.

1990 – Launch of the first run of the MSc in Business Process Management, awarded through Cranfield University. CITI becomes part of the Butler Cox consulting group on the 1st March 1990.

1991 – Butler Cox and CITI are acquired by CSC Index, the management consultancy arm of Computer Sciences Corporation Inc. (CSC).

An empirical study of what makes a successful project manager is commissioned by CSC to improve its project management community. This becomes the launch point for CITI’s project and programme management profiling offering. The study is ongoing to date. The findings also would be used to ensure that CITI’s educational and consultancy offerings focus on the areas that give the greatest returns to its clients.

1992 – The MSc is moved to Bradford Management Centre to reflect it’s heavy emphasis on management.

1993 – A management buy-out of CITI was performed by the current Directors. Its HQ is established in Bletchley, near Bletchley Park.

To accommodate its larger membership, a senior management structure is implemented. CITI moves its HQ to the village of Salford, between Cranfield and Milton Keynes and undertake a phased programme of growth.

1996 – A certificate in advanced project management is launched under the aegis of Lancaster University’s Project Management School.

2000 – The organic growth that CITI has enjoyed since its inception necessitates the move to the current HQ in Newport Pagnell. The strategy, always one of maximising practical experience combined with academic rigour to add value to client organisations, is now reflecting a balance between practical consulting and interim delivery with educational interventions.

2004 – CITI adopts a proposition-based strategic approach to serving its client base. ‘Standard’ classroom courses become less common as highly-customised approaches to development of the community and strategic change management are provided to clients. This holistic provision focuses entirely on client’s success and pays significant dividends.

2005 – The Postgraduate Certificate in Managing Complex Projects is launched in partnership with Middlesex University, through the National Centre for Project Management.

2008 – The MSc in Managing Major Projects and Programmes is offered in partnership with Middlesex University.