Boston University Extends Affiliate Network to Hawaii; Honolulu-Based CTA to Offer Boston University's Unparalleled Project Management Programs to Fiftieth State.

Business Editors

BOSTON & HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2003

Bringing world-class project management programs to the Aloha state, Boston University today announced the addition of Honolulu-based CTA, Inc. to its Educational Affiliate Network. CTA has been a leader in providing technical training, software development, systems engineering and professional staffing to the Pacific area since 1986.

"Boston University's proven project management programs will enable us to provide our military and corporate clients with the skills necessary to solve the project challenges they face in today's world," said Andy Jackson, CTA's Chief Operating Officer. "These programs, in combination with CTA's recognized, qualified and certified expertise, will not only enable our students to enhance their mission critical leadership skills, but will also help to ensure that projects come in on time, on budget and at the demanded level of quality."

Project management skills are very important because they help to lower the overall risk of project error and, therefore, save money. According to KPMG, 86 percent of IT projects fail, not due to lack of technology knowledge, but due to improperly defined objectives, unfamiliar scope, lack of effective communication and poor project management skills. Only 14 percent of project failures have been attributed to a company's inability to cope with technology.

Gartner Group estimates that 75 percent of e-business projects have failed (1999-2002) because of fundamental flaws in project planning. The Standish Group estimates that of the more than $250 billion spent annually on IT application development, the average cost overrun is 89 percent of original estimate and the average time overrun is 222 percent of original estimate.

Boston University has developed project management programs -- based on PMBOK(R) (Project Management Institute's Body of Knowledge) guidelines -- that teach IT managers how to assess needs and risks of an IT project, manage its costs and timing demands, troubleshoot, build a strong cohesive team and build into a project development plan features that enable a company's acceptance of a new technology. The programs also offer flexible timing formats including day programs and the very successful evening program, which has been created to work with busy IT team schedules.

"The high caliber of CTA makes it a welcome addition to our Educational Affiliate Network," said Rick Freeman, Chief Business Development Officer of Boston University's Educational Affiliate Network. "Project management can make the difference between a project's survival and its demise in today's economic climate. Boston University's project management programs will give CTA's students the project management skills necessary to execute successful projects with lower associated risks. These programs, along with CTA's strong commitment to superior technology services and long lasting client relationships, will only enhance its standing as a leading technology education and solutions provider in the Pacific region."

CTA plans to roll out the new project management programs in late May or early June of this year.

About CTA, Inc.

CTA is a Pacific region leader in staffing, education, applications development and systems engineering. It takes a passionate approach to business and provides recognized, qualified and certified expertise in all solutions offered to its military and corporate clients. With a commitment to building long term client partnerships, a dedication to customer service and a promise to provide the necessary, professional skills and services for technology and business needs, CTA is the preferred vendor of choice for government and business solutions. Headquartered in Honolulu, CTA was founded in 1986.

About Boston University Education Affiliate Network

Boston University Education Affiliate Network is a groundbreaking venture from Boston University that provides IT and management development training products and services internationally. Led by a senior management team that was instrumental in making Boston University's Corporate Education Center New England's leading IT training and project management provider, The BU Education Affiliate Network has developed a channel of regional training organizations and academic institutions that offer the proven IT and project management curricula from Boston University. In addition to award-winning programs, affiliates gain access to marketing, recruitment and career enhancement support services developed at Boston University. Boston University affiliates can act as resellers of Boston University-delivered programs under their own brand or they may choose to deliver training using "Boston University Official Curriculum" courseware, and BU's program and marketing support. Affiliates will also have the opportunity to distribute their own in-demand, quality programs through the Boston University Education Affiliate network. To learn more about Boston University Education Network, visit the web site at www.bunetwork.com and can be contacted at [phone].