MaxVal Consultancy

We help business IT professionals to maximise value, success and ROI from information technology using our unique Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®)

Conceived in the 1980s, born in the '90s, BVMF® underpins, transcends and transforms waterfall, agile, Prince2 and most other methods, approaches and practices. It defines the fundamental, underlying principles by which optimal value, success and ROI are gained from IT and 'Digital' Transformation. It does not reinvent the wheel but focuses, integrates and enhances other methods, approaches and practices; nothing is lost, everything is gained. After 30 years of research and development, BVMF® is extensive, comprehensive and powerful.

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News...

Jun 29th 2026: David Jacobs' "Letter to the IT Industry" has been published in Computing Magazine.
Following three successive Kick Offs of David's "75% Fail to 75% Succeed!" initiative at DigiGov 2024, GTW 2024 and GovTech (IGPP/SOCITM) 2025 (you can watch all three videos on YouTube), Computing Magazine has published David's letter to the IT Industry saying the situation with the persistently high project failure rate and recent flat IT market (bar AI) "Doesn't Have To Be This Way".
Jun 10th 2026: BVMF Ltd announces next wave of Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF) training courses for industry professionals to become Business Value Maximisation Specialists (BVMSs).
Having run several locational BVMF courses with great success, we are pleased to announce our next 2-day Foundation course will be held online via Zoom throughout October 2026. The course will run across four successive Saturday mornings starting on October 3rd (9am to 1pm). We will in future run courses physically, online or hybrid depending on demand. You can learn more about what the courses cover by watching any of the six Prelim sessions we ran in Jan/Feb 2026 on Zoom which are all on our YouTube channel, the YT handle is @ITBusinessValueMaximisation
Jan 10th 2026: BVMF Ltd is training and certifying Business Value Maximisation Specialists, with new courses and Zoom prelim sessions announced.
Our sister company, BVMF Ltd, is training and certifying the long awaited new breed of multiskilled business/IT professional called a Business Value Maximisation Specialist (BVMS). The next course is on March 21st & 22nd in Peterborough, Cambs. There will be another course in October 2026 online (Zoom) over four successive Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm. We are running BVMF Prelim sessions on Zoom most weeks on Thursdays around 5.30pm where David Jacobs and Howard Lock present an overview of the courses and run Q&A along with a few previous course attendees. Contact us for more information or click here.
Nov 4th 2025: BVMF Ltd launched BVMS training, with MaxVal continuing as the home for R&D and consultancy news.

Our sister company BVMF Ltd is now training the very long awaited new breed of multiskilled value driving business/IT professional called a Business Value Maximisation Specialist (BVMS). The next course is on November 15th & 16th in Stevenage, Herts. This site here continues for news on MaxVal's R&D programme and consultancy service.

May 12th 2025: A new YouTube video went live and BVMF Ltd training was formally introduced.

Our video "Supercharging Business Value! (at IGPP/SOCITM)" is now available on our YouTube channel, to watch click here. To visit our new training company BVMF Ltd specialising in training and accrediting the very long awaited new breed of Business Value Maximisation Specialist (BVMS), click here.

Apr 2025: BVMF Ltd was set up with Howard Lock and ran its first successful two-day course.

In partnership with business analysis consultant Howard Lock we've set up new company BVMF Ltd to train and accredit the very long awaited new breed of multifaceted value driving business/IT professional called a Business Value Maximisation Specialist (BVMS). We ran the first two day course with great success at the end of April at Fanhams Hall in Herts.

Jan 20th 2025: Part 2 of “Entreaty To CIOs, Help is at Hand!” was released on YouTube.

Video "Entreaty To CIOs, Help is at Hand!", Part 2 is now available, to watch this on YouTube click here.

Jan 11th 2025: MaxVal went live with PSI and Government Technology features, including video, article and company profile coverage.

We're live at Public Sector Information (PSI) on their Government Technology website and in the latest publication (Dec 2024). To see our informative advert with embedded 15 minute YouTube video "Entreaty To CIOs, Help is at Hand! (Part 1)" click here. For our article on how IT business value can be super-boosted using Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) click here. For our profile of MaxVal Consultancy and its support services for CIOs and their teams click here.

Nov 26th 2024: MaxVal launched on YouTube with Part 1 of “Entreaty to CIOs” and a new channel.

We're live on YouTube. To watch our video "Entreaty to CIOs and their teams, help is at hand! (Part 1)" click here. For our newly established MaxVal channel click here.

Future Events: PSI publication coverage and a March 2025 SOCITM advice clinic were announced.

We feature in PSI Group's online Government Business/Technology publication from Dec 20th 2024 and will run our Business Value Maximisation advice clinic on March 19th 2025 in London for the SOCITM event when David Jacobs will present the next episode of the "Supercharging IT Business Value: 70% Fail To 70+% Succeed!" initiative he kicked off in autumn 2024 at DigiGov Expo '24 and Government Transformation Week.

Nov 13th 2024: A new video was released on David Jacobs’ skillset and the thinking behind BVMF.

To watch our latest video where David Jacobs describes, for CIOs and their teams, how he accrued his polyglot/polymathic/power-value skillset and fed it into Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) click here.

Nov 7th 2024: GTW presentation slides on boosting value, success and ROI were published as a PDF.

The slides from David Jacobs' informative and entertaining Government Transformation Week presentation of 051124, "Supercharging Value, Success and ROI from IT and Digital Transformation: 70% Fail to 70+% Succeed!", are here as a PDF: Slides-051124.

Oct 24th 2024: A DigiGov video went live ahead of Government Transformation Week.

To watch our video "Live at DigiGov: 70% Fail to 70+% Succeed!" click here. We hope you enjoy. See you at GTW on November 5th/6th.

Oct 17th 2024: MaxVal featured in the Commonwealth 75th Anniversary commemorative book.

We were at the Commonwealth 75th Anniversary celebrations last week in Westminster in our capacity as IT and Digital Transformation project fixers and value enhancers. Here is our feature in the commemorative book: C75 MaxVal Feature.

Oct 1st 2024: DigiGov slides and a new Open Access Government article on the Value Delivery Model were published.

The slides from David Jacobs' informative and entertaining DigiGov presentation of 250924, "70% Fail to 70+% Succeed!", are here as a PDF: Slides-250924. We have a new article up at Open Access Government entitled "Using the Value Delivery Model (VDM)™ to Maximise Success and ROI"; to read this in HTML click here, to read this in publication mode click here.

Sep 2024: MaxVal launched its 70% fail to 70+% succeed initiative with clinics and a supporting video.

We're pleased to announce our initiative to encourage the global 70% project failure rate to improve, aiming to move it to 70+% success. To this end, we're running several walk-in advice clinics, starting with DigiGov Expo '24 at ExCel Centre on September 24/25th and Government Transformation Week at Intercontinental, O2 on November 5/6th. Here's a 20 minute video where David Jacobs talks about why projects fail and what can be done to improve the poor performance of the last 40 years. This includes details of our appearance at DigiGov Expo '24 and the forthcoming Government Transformation Week event in November: click here for the video.

Jul 2024: MaxVal announced its two-day value maximisation clinic at Government Transformation Week.

We're pleased to announce we'll run our popular two day value maximisation clinic at Government Transformation Week on November 5th and 6th. David Jacobs will present on the power of our Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to boost success and ROI, starting up our mission to reduce the global 70% project failure rate until we get to 70% success. Click here for GTW's website.

Jun 2024: A special Open Access Government report was published on reducing IT project failure rates.

For those who wish to engage with us to lower the global 70% IT project failure rate and increase success, here is our Special Report at Open Access Government: click here.

May 2024: DigiGov Expo was postponed, with new dates confirmed alongside two supporting videos.

DigiGov Expo '24 has been postponed until September 24/25th when we'll be running our 2-day free walk in Business Value Maximisation clinic. David Jacobs will present on September 25th, inviting us all to help lower the global 70% IT project failure rate until we get to 70% success. Here are two short videos about this event and initiative: click here for the first video and here for the second video.

Apr 2024: MaxVal announced a free two-day clinic and DigiGov presentation for September 2024.

We'll be at DigiGov Expo '24 on September 24/25th at the ExCel Centre running our free 2 day walk-in IT business value maximisation clinic. Bring your challenges and we will start helping you to supercharge value, success and ROI. David Jacobs will present in the Citizen Experience Theatre at 1.15pm on September 25th on the power of our Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to boost IT and digital transformation's ROI.

Apr 2024: A new Open Access Government article on Seven Steps Part II was published.

We have a new article online at Open Access Government entitled "Seven Steps To Boost IT Business Value and Success! Part II" using our Golden Value Circle™, to read this click here. You may find this alternative link to be clearer depending on your browser click here.

Jan 2024: David Jacobs presented A Closer Look at The Elephant Part II for IIBA UK.

David Jacobs presented webinar IT Value Maximisation for Business Analysts: A Closer Look at The Elephant (Part II) for the IIBA UK on January 25th. For more information and the recording on IIBA UK's website click here. The slides are here as a PDF: Slides-250124. A Closer Look (Part III) is being scheduled for late autumn 2024.

Jan 2024: A new Open Access Government article on Seven Steps was published.

We've a new article up online at Open Access Government entitled "Seven Steps To Boost IT Business Value and Success!" using our Golden Value Circle™; to read this click here. You may find this alternative link to be clearer depending on your browser click here.

2024: DigiGov Expo appearance and a short clinic video were announced.

We're at DigiGov Expo '24 at the ExCel Centre on September 24th and 25th when David Jacobs will present on how dramatically more valuable IT can be when the fundamental principles for optimising business value, success and ROI are employed. David will lead our free 2 day walk-in value maximisation clinic. Click here for a short video about this clinic, recorded before the date was postponed from May to September.

Oct 2023: A new article on achieving maximum business value, success and ROI was published.

We've a new article up online at Open Access Government on how to achieve the Holy Grail of business IT, that is maximum business value, success and ROI. To read this click here. You may find this alternative link to be clearer depending on your browser click here.

Sep 2023: MaxVal went live on Open Access Government with articles and service information.

We're now live online at Open Access Government; to read more about MaxVal Consultancy's unique Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) and range of services, plus several recent articles on IT and digital transformation success click here.

Aug 2023: David Jacobs presented A Closer Look At The Elephant Part I for IIBA UK North and Scotland.

David Jacobs presented webinar a deeper dive into IT value maximisation using BVMF® entitled A Closer Look At The Elephant (Part I) for the IIBA UK North and Scotland. For more information and the recording on IIBA UK's website click here. The slides are here as a PDF: Slides-290823.

May 2023: MaxVal ran a live value maximisation clinic at GovNet’s Digital Government conference.

On May 23rd we ran a live value maximisation clinic at GovNet's Digital Government conference at London's QEII Centre. Visitors brought their IT business value challenges and we showed them models and techniques from our Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) that help organisations to gain dramatically improved results. Click here for photos.

Jan 2023: David Jacobs’ Brainz Magazine article on the development of BVMF was published.

David Jacobs' article about his three decade journey researching and developing Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) entitled "Riding The Storm of Scepticism and Apathy for Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Pioneers" has been published in Brainz Magazine. To read the article click here. "Riding The Storm..." Parts II and III have since been published along with an interview with David; to see these click here and scroll down.

Nov 2022: David Jacobs recorded a podcast on IT Business Value Maximisation for leaders and business owners.

David Jacobs recorded a podcast with Michael Millward of The Independent Minds on the principles of IT Business Value Maximisation for CxOs, directors and business owners. For more information and to listen to the podcast on Spotify click here.

Sep 2022: David Jacobs presented The Journey And The Elephant webinar for IIBA UK North & Scotland.

David Jacobs presented webinar "IT Value Maximisation for Business Analysts: The Journey And The Elephant" for the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) UK North & Scotland. David covered how to become a Business Value Maximisation Specialist (BVMS). For more information and access to the recording on IIBA UK's site click here. Here are the slides as a PDF: Slides-150922.

Aug 2022: MaxVal announced a new charity donation scheme tied to consultancy fees.

From October 1st 2022 we will donate 2.5% of consultancy fees received from our kind clients to charity. We hope in future to extend this scheme so clients may choose which charity, and for us to increase the percentage.

Jun 2022: A newly certified BVMS described BVMF as “extreme common sense”.

A principal business analyst we've trained and certified as a Business Value Maximisation Specialist (BVMS) said, "BVMF is extreme common sense; I wish I had known about it years ago".

May 2022: Philippa Randall-Nason joined MaxVal in a wide-ranging support and development role.

We welcome Philippa Randall-Nason to MaxVal Consultancy whose role spans executive support, research, development, client support and roll-out of Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®). We are already noticing a hugely positive effect.

Mar 2022: MaxVal Analysis formally changed its name to MaxVal Consultancy Ltd.

MaxVal Analysis changed its name to MaxVal Consultancy Ltd to better reflect the range of services we offer. Although we love accuracy, reality and truth, we don't mind splitting infinitives when business value is at stake.

Feb 2022: Training, licensing, mentoring and coaching in BVMF were made available.

Training and certification in Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) are now available for individuals along with licences for organisations. We are also mentoring and coaching business IT professionals to get maximum value from their roles and careers, for themselves, their teams, their organisations and their organisation's clients and suppliers. For more information contact MaxVal Consultancy.

Jan 2022: Business-system boundary models were upgraded, including BP/OAP Space and NCO.

David Jacobs has upgraded our value based business-system boundary models to help organisations align and optimise real world business processes with less arbitrary and constraining system boundaries. The models and concepts upgraded include Business Process/Org Activity Pattern (BP/OAP) Space, the Non Contiguous Overlay (NCO) and "Representivity" guidelines.

Jun 2021: David Jacobs presented The Croydon Facelift at an IIBA-sponsored open mic event.

David Jacobs presented his technique "The Croydon Facelift" for concise, effective narrative and analysis, to optimise sequential or less sequential communicational approaches during Adrian Reed's IIBA sponsored Business Analysis Open Mic night.

May 2021: David Jacobs announced the next generation of BVMF.

David Jacobs has produced the next generation of Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®). To book a free of charge personalised overview of the key models and techniques contact MaxVal Consultancy.

Apr 2021: David Jacobs presented a talk on identity in business IT practice.

David Jacobs presented his treatise "When is Something Something Else?" during Adrian Reed's IIBA sponsored Business Analysis Open Mic night. David explored the concept of identity and the value of identifying similarities and differences between artefacts in business IT practice.

Feb 2021: The Archery Target was introduced as a career value optimisation technique.

David Jacobs has developed a new visual, value based career value optimisation technique for business IT professionals called The Archery Target. For more information contact MaxVal Consultancy.

Jul 2020: David Jacobs presented a webinar introducing Practical, Pragmatic, Value Focused Business Analysis.

David Jacobs presented a webinar to members of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) UK entitled Practical, Pragmatic, Value Focused Business Analysis, introducing his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®). For the local recording click here. For the IIBA UK recording with promotional overview click here. The slides are here as a PDF: Slides-160720.

2019: Maximum Value Ltd changed its name to MaxVal Analysis to support its collaborative mentoring work.

Maximum Value Ltd changed its name to MaxVal Analysis, to support the development and propagation of skills and methods to mediate between business and IT for the maximisation of business and organisational value through our collaborative mentoring services.

2015: David Jacobs and Andy Doran-Smith presented an overview of BVMF to Roehampton University.

David Jacobs and Andy Doran-Smith presented an overview of Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to Roehampton University's Heads of Information Systems.

2015: MaxVal's information leaflets for company directors and managers were published.

Click here to see our 2015 information leaflets for company directors and managers with an introduction to our Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) and related services.

2015: Hazel I Longworth was appointed Head of Archive and Library Services.

Hazel I Longworth, PA and business value archivist, was appointed Head of Archive and Library Services (ALS). Hazel's eye for detail and enthusiasm has impressed us immensely.

2015: Jean Cohen was appointed Head of Media, Marketing and Public Relations.

Jean Cohen, content and promotion manager, was appointed Head of Media, Marketing and Public Relations (MMPR). Jean brought an American directness to her role at MaxVal. Note Sep 2024: we're sad to say Jean passed away last year; we remember her verve very fondly.

2015: Andy Doran-Smith joined MaxVal as Program Value Manager.

Andy Doran-Smith joined Maximum Value, now MaxVal Consultancy Ltd, as Program Value Manager. Andy has been hugely supportive and we look forward to benefiting from his influence.

2014: MaxVal's advertising campaign leaflet for business IT value seekers was published.

Click here to see our 2014 advertising campaign leaflet for business IT value seekers.

2014: David Jacobs founded Do IT Better Consortium.

David Jacobs founded Do IT Better Consortium (DIBC), a group of consultancies dedicated to radical improvement of services and methods for gaining business value from IT enabled process. Click here to see details.

2012: David Jacobs presented an introduction to BVMF to the Post Office's business analysis team.

David Jacobs was invited to present an introduction to his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to the Post Office's business analysis team.

2012: Surrey Business magazine published editorial coverage of MaxVal's approach.

Click here to see the editorial published in Surrey Business magazine on our powerful business value maximisation approach.

2011: David Jacobs presented BVMF to members of the Association of Project Management.

David Jacobs was invited to present his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to members of the Association of Project Management (APM). Click here to see a summary.

2009: David Jacobs presented an introduction to BVMF to the NCC's senior users committee.

David Jacobs presented an introduction to Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to the National Computing Centre (NCC)'s senior users committee.

2008: David Jacobs entered talks with Royal Bank of Scotland on BVMF and IT effectiveness measures.

David Jacobs entered talks with Royal Bank of Scotland on his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) and related IT effectiveness and efficiency measures.

2004: David Jacobs presented an introduction to BVMF at the University of Westminster's business school.

David Jacobs presented an introduction to Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) at the University of Westminster's business school.

2002, 2003: David Jacobs presented BVMF at the first and second UK International Performance Management Symposia.

David Jacobs presented his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) at the first and second UK International Performance Management Symposia in London and Bristol.

2001: David Jacobs presented BVMF to BCS groups and members of the project management community.

David Jacobs presented his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) to members of the British Computer Society's Project Management Group (BCS PROMS-G) and to the BCS's South West London sub-group.

2001: David Jacobs presented “Bridging the Gap” at City University.

David Jacobs presented "Bridging the Gap" on behalf of the BCS Business-IT Interface Group at City University to the group, staff and students.

2001: David Jacobs contributed to Andrew Holmes' book Failsafe IS Project Delivery.

David Jacobs contributed to Andrew Holmes' book Failsafe IS Project Delivery, published by Gower and reprinted in 2017/2018.

2001: David Jacobs backed calls for a whole new approach to tackling IT project failure.

David Taylor, President of the IT Directors' Association Certus, called for a "whole new approach" while reflecting on the huge failure rate of IT projects through the 1990s. David Jacobs said, "David, I totally agree. In fact I've been developing just such a new approach for at least a decade!"

2000: David Jacobs presented BVMF at the first BCS Business-IT Bridging Group Conference.

David Jacobs presented his Business Value Maximisation Framework (BVMF®) at the first BCS Business-IT Bridging Group Conference.

1999: David Jacobs joined the newly formed BCS Business-IT Bridging Group.

David Jacobs was engaged by Unicom Seminars to present on his IT Business Value Maximisation R&D programme and became a leading member of the newly formed BCS Business-IT Bridging Group.

1996: “A New Breed of Friendship” caused a stir at the Financial Times IT Review.

David Jacobs' article "A New Breed of Friendship (for Business and IT)" caused a positive, eyebrow-raising stir at the FT IT Review.

1996: David Jacobs' letter on business process value was published in Computing magazine.

David Jacobs' letter "Not Ignoring Is Not Enough" on the effects of the IT industry's lack of proactive focus on business process related value was published in Computing magazine.

1995: David Jacobs' first article was published in Corporate IT Strategy magazine.

David Jacobs' first article, "The Safest Way to Effective IT", was published in Corporate IT Strategy magazine.

1993: David Jacobs began documenting ideas and techniques to improve Business-IT collaboration.

To address the low IT project success rates of the time, David Jacobs started to document his ideas, models and techniques for more effective and collaborative Business-IT working, bridging and mediation.

1982-1992: David Jacobs developed UK air cargo forecasting software and recognised the weak focus on value in methods and practice.

David Jacobs wrote the first ever UK air cargo market forecasting software and, continuing to bridge the computer-business interface progressively, realised methods and practices were sketchy in respect of their focus on value.

1981: David Jacobs wrote his first professional software and gained strong client praise.

Working in marketing information, analysis and research, David Jacobs wrote his first professional computer software, gaining high commendation from the client business for the excellent results.

1976-81: David Jacobs began using programmable calculators while working in marketing information and research.

Working as a marketing information analyst and researcher, David Jacobs started to use programmable calculators.

1970-76: David Jacobs built early foundations in analysis, information and computing while working in marketing consultancy.

Working in his father's advertising and marketing consultancy, David Jacobs showed an inclination towards statistical analysis and learned how organisations produce and use information. He also graduated in Management Science at Warwick, covering economics, statistical analysis, market research and computing in Algol 60 on IBM punched cards.