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Aaron is the former editor of ProjectsAtWork.com
Few companies have ever grown up as quickly as AOL, fueled by innovation and a fierce competitive drive. But the company's growth formula needed something more in the aftermath of the Internet boom — discipline, accountability and an ability to prioritize. Enter project portfolio management.
The late-90s' rags-to-riches-to-rags stories are now the stuff of legend and business-degree curriculum. But among the many Internet casualties were survivors and ultimately huge winners — large and small companies alike that managed to weather the rollercoaster of explosive growth, unrealistic expectations and widespread panic that marked the Internet boom and bust. And few companies, if any, are more closely linked to the Internet Age than America Online (AOL), the ubiquitous subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Certainly few companies in the history of commerce have ever grown so large so quickly.
AOL remains a growing, fast-paced company in 2004, and recent revenue reports show overall stability where once there were ominous clouds. The organization, as a matter of competitive survival, continues to be driven by innovation. But something else has been added to the success equation — a much-needed discipline and accountability.
Simply put, AOL's project-based processes and resources had been struggling to keep up with its rapid growth and many new initiatives. In …
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