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Tech Decision Maker
Toni Bowers
TechRepublic Staff
Toni Bowers

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Top 5 reasons why ITIL implementations don't happen by the book
Many organizations have moved past awareness of ITIL, and a significant number are looking to implement. That's when they find a number of roadblocks. Here are those roadblocks and how to get...
Posted by Enterprise Computing Institute | June 18, 2008, 5:44 AM PDT | Latest comment by CharlieSpencer_Palmetto
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Proper planning of resources essential to successful projects
With any project, proper planning is the key to success. In my experiences, the area most overlooked in a typical project is the proper planning of the resources and their allocation. Here are...
Posted by Bill Stronge | June 17, 2008, 10:42 AM PDT | Latest comment by Bill Stronge
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Why does process improvement fail?
It's clear, both anecdotally and objectively, that process improvement efforts have failed far more often than they have succeeded. This blog talks about why this is true.
Posted by Mark Lefcowitz | June 17, 2008, 6:04 AM PDT | Latest comment by sdsondhi@...
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Getting executive support for system management processes
Trying to get executive approval for a technology initiative? Learn to speak the language of the C-suite folks and present your case the right way.
Posted by Toni Bowers | June 16, 2008, 7:02 AM PDT
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Business Process Improvement - The project begins
In this second post about a process improvement initiative at Westminster College, Scott Lowe responds to some of the thought-provoking comments left by TechRepublic readers in the first post....
Posted by Scott Lowe | June 12, 2008, 10:31 PM PDT | Latest comment by RB1955
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How to kickstart an underachiever's performance
Underachievers can be a burden on an otherwise productive team. As a business and leadership coach John M McKee has seen a lot and here he discusses different tactics and tips used successfully...
Posted by John McKee | June 12, 2008, 2:06 PM PDT | Latest comment by kmoore@...
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Is your IT department in good shape?
This author is not a huge fan of complex frameworks, because they get misunderstood and misused, so he offers a very simple and practical way of accessing the current state and potential future of...
Posted by Ilya Bogorad | June 12, 2008, 5:59 AM PDT
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How to successfully execute the scope management phase of a project
Executing the Scope Management phase of your project will allow you to create and maintain the Scope Statement that outlines the deliverables you need to produce by the end of your project. Here...
Posted by Bill Stronge | June 9, 2008, 7:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by mikifinaz1@...
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The value of IT in tough times
If you are unclear as to the role IT plays in your organization, it will soon become apparent to you if it hasn't already. Tough economic times make for a harsh lens and some organizations have...
Posted by Ramon Padilla | June 8, 2008, 4:47 PM PDT | Latest comment by explorehalkidiki@...
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Action steps for leading others during a crisis.
It's ugly out there. Today's business news stories continue to be all about the tough stuff. The housing crisis, war, gas prices, inflation prospects, the unemployment outlook, and newly broken...
Posted by John McKee | June 5, 2008, 8:44 AM PDT | Latest comment by Brother Martin de Porres
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Project Metrics: Tips for doing Earned Value Analysis
Determining whether a project is successful could depend on what the project sponsor thinks makes it successful or it could depend on what the project manager thinks makes it successful. Spending...
Posted by Bill Stronge | June 2, 2008, 9:01 AM PDT | Latest comment by ndsatya@...
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Business Intelligence, Business Process Improvement and more
Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence - both are key to maximizing organizational success. Westminster College is getting with the times by undertaking major projects in both areas....
Posted by Scott Lowe | May 30, 2008, 4:11 PM PDT | Latest comment by gerald.kaforski@...
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7 steps to choosing the right ERP software
With so many ERP options in the marketplace today, selecting a package for your business can be an overwhelming task. While many companies feel that any software will work and their organizations...
Posted by Eric Kimberling | May 30, 2008, 9:31 AM PDT | Latest comment by chance@...
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Managers: Do you pay any attention to a resume Objective statement?
Do you, as hiring managers, give much credence to the section of a resume that is reserved for Objective? (It's the place where job candidates list things like "Good interpersonal skills" or...
Posted by Toni Bowers | May 29, 2008, 10:30 AM PDT | Latest comment by rizalnia1@...
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Eight resume tips for the experienced IT pro
If you're an IT pro whose been around the block, you may need to retool your resume to reflect it. Here are some tips for crafting a resume that tells people just how experience you are.
Posted by Randy Barger | May 29, 2008, 5:49 AM PDT | Latest comment by hcparekh
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Bridging the chasm: How to prevent your IT organization from becoming a commodity
There is a chasm between the IT and the rest of the business in many organizations which occurs because of the lack of credibility of the IT function in the eyes of the rest of the business. What...
Posted by Ilya Bogorad | May 27, 2008, 8:12 AM PDT | Latest comment by Jaqui
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Windows XP to fall off retail and OEM lists in 5 weeks
Microsoft pulls Windows XP from retailer and OEM lists in just five weeks. What does this mean and are there any loopholes?
Posted by Toni Bowers | May 27, 2008, 6:51 AM PDT | Latest comment by reisen55@...
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Some benefits and drawbacks of Microsoft Project
Project Manager Bill Stronge looks at some of the features of Microsoft Project that can make your life as a project manager easily and more productive.
Posted by Bill Stronge | May 27, 2008, 4:37 AM PDT | Latest comment by jck
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Lessons in leadership from Tom Ridge and Woody Norris
Ramon Padilla had the opportunity to listen to former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Inventor Woody Norris give talks on technology and leadership. Hear what they have to say in this...
Posted by Ramon Padilla | May 26, 2008, 3:04 PM PDT | Latest comment by rfxiong@...
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Time for transition? Vista vs. XP, 32-bit vs. 64-bit
I was around during the days of the tech industry's move from 16-bit to 32-bit computing. Although it was chaotic at times, I don't remember things being quite as convoluted as they seem to be...
Posted by Scott Lowe | May 22, 2008, 6:50 PM PDT | Latest comment by The 'G-Man.'
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Windows XP: If it ain't broke...
Although XP has less than one year of official support remaining from Microsoft, many organizations have no plans to replace it. What's going on?
Posted by Patrick Gray | May 3, 2013, 5:25 AM PDT | Latest comment by grenet
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Does IT have a problem with women?
If we can shed some of the industry's juvenile past, while maintaining this merit-based culture, IT will attract all comers, regardless of gender.
Posted by Patrick Gray | April 24, 2013, 6:03 AM PDT | Latest comment by duckboxxer
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Amazon to develop 3D smartphones. Why?
Amazon has plans to develop 3D smartphones. Somebody please give me a reason why this is a good idea.
Posted by Toni Bowers | May 21, 2013, 7:40 AM PDT | Latest comment by dlawler@...
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The business value of Google Glass and wearable computing
Wearable computing is an emerging technology that's affecting both the consumer and enterprise space.
Posted by Patrick Gray | May 15, 2013, 4:52 AM PDT | Latest comment by rexrich2k
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Want to motivate your team? Here are 20 things to start doing now
Ilya Bogorad shows you how to create a dynamic, exciting, motivating environment in an otherwise unexciting, underperforming or stodgy organization
Posted by Ilya Bogorad | November 28, 2011, 4:21 AM PST | Latest comment by jkameleon@...
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6 essential elements for a winning business case
The vast majority of unsuccessful projects fail not because of poor project management, but because of poor decisions with respect to the choice of projects. A good business case helps to make...
Posted by Ilya Bogorad | July 28, 2008, 3:31 AM PDT | Latest comment by rajeshamith
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How large IT departments waste time and effort
Is your IT department being efficient? Here are some ways you could be wasting time and effort.
Posted by Carlo Pandian | April 22, 2013, 5:34 AM PDT | Latest comment by Tony Hopkinson
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Are your tender requirements killing your IT project?
Plenty of organizations have well-formed procedures for procurement on large projects, but when the projects are small, the contracts are short-term, or the budget is low, those same procedures...
Posted by Ben Evans | May 20, 2013, 6:23 AM PDT | Latest comment by Slayer_
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Why critical path is critical to project management
If the PMBK definition of critical path has you puzzled, read Dr. Andrew Makar's explanation of this project methodology in real-world terms.
Posted by Andrew Makar | September 10, 2009, 1:02 PM PDT | Latest comment by Tony Hopkinson
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Infographic: Which E-Commerce platform is best?
This infographic compares Magento, osCommerce and OpenCart.
Posted by Toni Bowers | February 25, 2013, 5:24 AM PST
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Hiring a programmer? Ask these questions in the interview
Routine interviews for programmers often offer tests that evaluate rote memorization that the modern development environment doesn't require. Here are some better questions to ask.
Posted by Justin James | February 18, 2010, 4:11 AM PST | Latest comment by youareyouyou
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Manual vs. autoscheduled tasks in Microsoft Project 2010
Microsoft Project 2010 gives you the option of scheduling tasks manually or letting Project use the scheduling engine. Andy Makar explores these options for project managers.
Posted by Andrew Makar | March 23, 2011, 5:23 AM PDT | Latest comment by MickeyBlueOwl
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Create the Timeline View in Microsoft Project 2010
If you use PowerPoint or Visio to create milestone reports, find out how using Microsoft Project 2010 Timeline View instead can save you time and a lot of hassle.
Posted by Andrew Makar | January 20, 2011, 5:24 PM PST | Latest comment by lbostic@...
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Best practices for software license management
Organizations spend a fortune on licenses every year, and a lack of management around it can result in heavy fines. Here are some best practices to follow.
Posted by Abhinav Kaiser | November 5, 2012, 4:33 AM PST | Latest comment by secureoncloud
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15 great leadership questions
In this article, Executive and leadership coach John M McKee shares questions any leader can use to improve results and morale.
Posted by John McKee | February 23, 2010, 11:13 AM PST | Latest comment by Grants Man
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Top five reasons organizations fail at project management
Why are many organizations still so bad at project management? After pondering this question on many consulting and training engagements, Tom Mochal has come up with his top five reasons.
Posted by Tom Mochal | August 20, 2008, 7:11 AM PDT | Latest comment by billsherlock
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Download this project status report template
Download this template, created by project management guru Tom Mochal, to effectively communicate project status to stakeholders and keep everyone on the same page.
Posted by TechRepublic Staff | March 10, 2009, 12:10 PM PDT | Latest comment by Mammoun
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IT Training Policy now available
Download TechRepublic's IT Training Policy. It's free to TechRepublic Pro subscribers, or can be purchased by non-subscribers.
Posted by Teena Hammond | May 2, 2013, 6:55 AM PDT
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View the critical path in Microsoft Project
Learn how to view the critical path in Microsoft Project and interpret the data by reading this tutorial by Dr. Andrew Makar.
Posted by Andrew Makar | September 15, 2009, 1:24 PM PDT | Latest comment by vilansmit
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Big Data and the cloud throw down the guantlet for IT department
IT/business alignment has gone from something you should consider to further your IT department to something you should do to keep your IT department employed.
Posted by Toni Bowers | May 12, 2013, 7:25 AM PDT

































