Getting Clueful: The Series

"How it works" isn't always the key issue in understanding a technology or a business initiative. Often, you have to listen to the practitioners to avoid doing really, really dumb things.

By Esther Schindler
Thu, July 03, 2008

Trying to come up to speed on technologies and initiatives that matter to your business—and to the people who work for you? On the technology side, we have plenty of ABCs to get you started.

But the how-it-works isn't always the most important part of a subject. Here we list several popular articles on what the boss should know about different subjects... from the point of view of the people involved.

Getting Clueful: 7 Things CIOs Should Know About Agile Development
Agile methodologies for software projects can help organizations create better software faster. Yeah, yeah, you've heard that before. Here, experienced programmers explain the key ingredients to make those goals achievable.

Getting Clueful: Seven Things the CIO Should Know About Telecommuting
IT workers who telecommute share advice for their bosses about the process, technology, and attitudes necessary for staff to be productive when they work from home.

Getting Clueful: Five Things You Should Know About Fighting Spam
The battle for your users' e-mail inboxes probably will never end, but it's not a failure of technology. Experienced e-mail and system administrators share the key points they really, really wish you understood.

Getting Clueful: Nine Things CIOs Should Know About Computer Consulting and Contracting
The hired guns of IT explain (in gory detail) the mistakes that enterprise IT managers make, and how to get the most out of the consulting budget.

9 Reasons Why Application Developers Think Their CIO Is Clueless
From being a control freak to being a vendor puppet, here are nine behaviors management needs to steer clear of or risk being labeled "clueless."

How to Identify Bad CIOs in Their Natural Habitat
Bad CIOs are a blight on the IT profession and on the organizations that employ them. The following list of behaviors common among bad CIOs will prevent you from hiring them into your organizations. If they're already there, it will give you good reason to eliminate them.

CIO's Top 10 Clues That You May Be a Bad Boss
And you won't find lack of technology chops here.

How Do You Spot a Bad CIO?
What are the tell-tale signs? Is it possible for recruiters and hiring managers to read the writing on the wall before they hire the stinker CIO? Meridith Levinson started an active discussion on the topic.

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