#Japan #Fukuoka #Nulab #Backlog #Good Project Award

Announcement of Judges for the Good Project Award 2025

Nulab, the company behind the project and task management tool Backlog, has officially announced the judges for the upcoming Good Project Award 2025, scheduled to take place at Backlog World 2025. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional projects of the year, and it is encouraging to see last year's Best Project Award team, Uniform Next, joining the panel as judges. The evaluation criteria will focus on three major axes: results, reproducibility and impact, and team management.

Introduction of Judges

This year’s judging panel comprises prominent figures from the industry:

• - Masatoku Hashimoto: CEO of Nulab, the organization that offers Backlog.
• - Ichiro Nishima: A well-versed member of the user community.
• - Takamatsu Takayanagi: General manager of the HR team and Sales Project at Uniform Next, who was also part of last year's winning team.

Together, they bring diverse perspectives to evaluate project achievements effectively.

About Masatoku Hashimoto

Born in 1976 in Fukuoka, Hashimoto has a rich background, transitioning from the food service industry to architecture, and eventually becoming a programmer. In 2004, he founded Nulab and has since focused on creating tools that foster collaborative teamwork, underscoring the philosophy that working together enhances productivity.

About Ichiro Nishima

Nishima's journey began at Backlog World 2018, where he linked to the IT community, deepening his engagement in project management discussions. As a key leader in the Japan Backlog User Group (JBUG), he remains devoted to promoting IT improvements through community efforts and technical recruitment.

About Takakatsu Takayanagi

Takayanagi, born in 1997, has demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. After gaining experience in sales at Uniform Next, he now spearheads initiatives for team empowerment. His guidance in team management and organizational reform plays a crucial role in the company’s strategic planning.

Overview of Last Year’s Good Project Award 2024

The 2024 event was held on December 14 at Pacifico Yokohama, where four strong finalists presented their projects that utilized Backlog effectively. The winning team, Uniform Next, showcased their Sales DX project, which not only achieved impressive results but also served as a learning experience for all participants.

Takamatsu Takayanagi commented, “The Good Project Award 2024 was an opportunity for us to present our achievements externally, which bolstered our confidence as a team from the local region.” Their project demonstrated how Backlog could streamline operations and enhance revenue by over 150% year-on-year, marking a significant shift in their business approach.

Judge Comments by Takayanagi

As a returning judge this year, Takayanagi expressed his eagerness to witness the talents and stories of challenging projects, emphasizing the importance of external recognition in building confidence and capabilities within teams.

Entry Requirements and Application Details

The entry deadline for Good Project Award 2025 is set for October 24, 22:00. Teams interested in showcasing their projects are encouraged to apply, and all projects meeting entry criteria will receive a complimentary board game designed for project management training, titled “Project Theme Park.” Three teams advancing through initial screening will be invited as finalists to the pitch contest at Backlog World 2025 on November 29, hosted in Yokohama.

Special Entry Benefits

Successful applicants will receive special recognition through awards and invitations to events, amplifying their project visibility. Notably, winners will also benefit from promotional content created in collaboration with external media.

Conclusion

Nulab continues to champion teamwork through technologies that enhance productivity. With the Good Project Award creating a vibrant platform for collaboration and innovation, the anticipation is high for this year's application results and subsequent event at Backlog World 2025. As the award aims to recognize excellence in project management, participating teams stand to gain invaluable experience and accolades.