"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. 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 DevelopmentAgile 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 TelecommutingIT 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 SpamThe 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 ContractingThe 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 CluelessFrom 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 HabitatBad 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 BossAnd 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. Related content brandpost Sponsored by EXL Unlocking generative AI’s greatest growth opportunities Looking beyond the hysteria— It is imperative for companies integrating AI technologies to embrace the opportunity to strengthen their products, services, and workforce…with fundamental human pragmatism. By Rohit is vice chairman and CEO at EXL, a multinational data analytics and digital operations and solutions company. Dec 07, 2023 5 mins Artificial Intelligence brandpost Sponsored by BMC BMC on BMC: How the company enables IT observability with BMC Helix and AIOps The goals: transform an ocean of data and ultimately provide a stellar user experience and maximum value. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership brandpost Sponsored by BMC The data deluge: The need for IT Operations observability and strategies for achieving it BMC Helix brings thousands of data points together to create a holistic view of the health of a service. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 4 mins IT Leadership how-to How to create an effective business continuity plan A business continuity plan outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of disaster, whether fire, flood, or cyberattack. Here’s how to create a plan that gives your business the best chance of surviving such an By Mary K. Pratt, Ed Tittel, Kim Lindros Dec 07, 2023 11 mins Small and Medium Business IT Skills Backup and Recovery Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe