1960 – 1967

“Project” as a concept is increasingly evident in Sweden, especially in the context of larger, complex ventures where many activities and resources need to be better coordinated.

1967 Projektadministration AB (later Wenell Management AB) was founded by Torbjörn and Gun-Lis Wenell. They focused on new planning techniques and eventually computer-aided project management.

1968 – 1972

An training model emerges. Torbjörn Wenell initiates and founds Föreningen Nätplan (currently Svenskt Projektforum) in 1968. Torbjörn conducts extensive training in project planning techniques where thousands of course participants get to learn about network planning.

1973 – 1979

Leadership and group dynamics are at the centre. Behavioral scientists and psychologists are recruited. We conduct the first courses in project management, focusing on the role of leader and leadership in the given organisation. The approach to planning is reviewed and renewed.

1980 – 1984

In 1981 we introduce the term “Projectivity” in order to emphasise the ability of an organisation to use projects to achieve their commercial and social goals, an ability that is becoming more and more important for many businesses. The concept is embraced by Ericsson among others, and with our support they develop their new project model PROPS.

More and more people are talking about Management by Projects as a leadership tool, focusing on flows and processes.

The Project Management School becomes our base for our open courses in project management. Projects are not only used in large projects, the concept becomes a part of everyday work in many businesses. More and more tasks are completed in projects.

1985 – 1988

The Maneuvrability Model is developed in the early 80’s and is published in 1985 in the book “Maneuvrability” by Torbjörn Wenell and SG Larson. Holistic thinking becomes important, and the book talks about the most important part of leadership, realization, and is written to inspire innovation in the organisations of the future.

In 1987, our company changes name to Wenell Management AB, since our focus in the 80’s has increasingly been about streamlining project-intensive businesses as a whole and not just the leadership and management of individual projects.

1989 – 1993

To develop our consulting business, and to be closer to some of our customers, we open regional offices in Malmö and Gothenburg.

Models for modern product development are established, including functional integrated projects and task forces – a first step towards a more agile approach to working in projects.

1994 – 1997

Collaboration with universities increases. Research and development about the application of projects also increases. We are a part of founding The Swedish Project Academy in 1994, which among other things starts selecting the Best Project Manager of the Year in Sweden. Our network is continuously developed, and a new way to think and work in projects emerges.

In 1997, Torbjörn Wenell transfers the CEO role to Ulf Bengtsson who will lead the company forward over the next 20 years.

1998 – 2002

Our leadership training expands and our other courses undergo substantial development. Our international collaboration increases. The number of employed consultants doubles. Our range of services is increased in order to support projects and project-intensive businesses.

Our website is increasingly becoming a meeting place for those interested in projects. Our simple, practical project model is put on the website, and our Project Management School continues to expand, with courses now offered in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Linköping, Uppsala, Umeå, and Eskilstuna.

2003 – 2006

A new approach to projects and its application in different businesses emerges. During 2004, Wenell and the research programme Fenix at Chalmers, in collaboration with Arena Projekt, create a creative meeting place for practitioners, researchers and consultants.

Shorter gatherings with exciting topics are being organised regularly under the banner Meet Wenell

As one of the first members of Utbildningsföretagens Förening, currently Sveriges Auktoriserade Utbildningsföretag, we become an authorised provider of training after a revision by Bureau Veritas.

2007 – 2008

In 2007, we complete our extensive work on developing our course material, in terms of both content and structure. The material is available in both Swedish and English. In recent years we have conducted projects in Scandinavia, all over Europe, Latin America, the US, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, and India.

The interest in integrating project methodology and behavioural skills is growing stronger. We recruit more consultants. At the end of 2008, we have 18 hired consultants with diverse backgrounds but with one common denominator – extensive experience in project management in businesses and in society.

We develop new methods of learning in collaboration with one of our bigger clients. The concept is called “Learning that sticks” and is based on an educational period that includes work before the actual course and coaching meetings and follow-up work after completing the course.

2009 – 2011

In 2009, we move to new, modern premises in central Stockholm to create a new venue for our customers and course participants. Here we conduct regular gatherings and courses.

We are appointed as Registered Education Provider by Project Management Institute (PMI)®. As a further step in internationalising our organisation, we expand our partnere network in Lithuania and India. In 2010, we open our new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to better support our international clients in this region.

In 2011, in collaboration with our partner Moment Projektkonsult, we initiate Project Inspiration (in Swedish Projektnäring) – a new venue with regular professional development meetings for project professionals.

Our resources for developing leadership in organizations are reinforced and in 2011 we have three employed consultants that are licensed psychologists specialising in OBM (Organisational Behaviour Management) and behaviour-based leadership. We keep developing our popular Project Management Programme and integrate skills in methods and behavior to an even greater extent.

2012 – 2014

We get an increased amount of international projects and we conduct many courses in English in a global environment. We sign an partner agreement with IAAP Global in Buenos Aires to better support our international clients in Latin America.

Our basic training in project management, Applied Project Management, is authorized by Svenskt Projektforum and is now an IPMA Certified Programme. We conduct our first preparation course for those who want to become certified project managers in accordance with IPMA.

We enhance our presence in the market by signing a new collaborative deal with Dataföreningen Kompetens who are now marketing our courses in their networks.

In December 2013 we move into our new premises in Malmö, providing us with new opportunities both in terms of courses in our own facilities and establishing a strong venue for development in the region.

2015 – 2017

We carry out a major leadership development assignment for managers in a large conglomerate in Sweden, where a total of approximately 120 people participate in a customized program. The proportion of leadership development assignments for other than project managers is increasing.

In October 2015 we move into our new premises in Gothenburg. From previously being co-located with other companies in Gothenburg, we now have our own premises where we can carry out smaller courses and establish a strong development center in western Sweden.

During 2015/2016, we sign framework agreements with two major international groups and become their “Global supplier” of methodology and leadership development for project managers at different levels. Our consultants are now carrying out assignments in all parts of the world.

On July 1, 2016, Tommy Olin takes over as the new CEO of Wenell. The third in line since Torbjörn Wenell started the company in 1967.

We increase our presence on social media and are a hub for development of the project format. We regularly participate in interesting networks and hold more and more seminars and workshops in-house, but also on behalf of our customers.

During 2017 we celebrate our 50^th anniversary as a stand-alone, independent consulting and training company in Sweden. VIP customers are invited, together with others who have meant a lot to our development, as well as researchers and professors in our network.

2018 – 2019

The week after Midsummer 2018 we move to new modern premises by Globen, in Stockholm. There we have furnished a specially designed area for training, while our staff get their own space where they can collaborate and create a new forum for our customers. We conduct regular theme meetings and hold more courses here.

In September 2018 we become a Quality Authorized member of Almega Utbildningsföretagen, a newly formed trade association for Educational Companies, and get our quality management approved in accordance with the high-level criteria of Almega Utbildningsföretagen for Quality authorization.

In autumn 2018, we sign a framework agreement with one of the largest consultancy companies in Sweden, where we carry out longer training programs for leadership development and methodology for project managers.

In 2018-2019, we updated our strategy documents to more clearly show that our focus areas include change management, in addition to leadership and project management.

2020 – 2022

The spring of 2020 turned our business upside down. When Covid-19 hit with full force, our educational activities suffered very much. Few customers wanted to have physical trainings and trainings that were conducted had a limited number of participants. With intense focus and a workload beyond the ordinary we managed, in 2 weeks, to switch to digital distance trainings. Many of our customers depended on this because they could not postpone all training into the future, which had created a huge hump.

After a bumpy year with reduced crew, we can look back at the 2021-22 financial year and note that the number of employees has increased by 50%!