As outsourcing, global commerce and constantly improving technologycontinue to change the business world, specialized professionals like scientists,engineers and information technology (IT) workers are increasingly beingasked to take on more business-oriented tasks. 

Each year, organizations across the globe face astronomical project failure rates, often wasting millions of dollars per failed project. This paper examines the roots of project failure and centers in on the elusive, often undefined role of the business analyst. 

Many organisations implement “learning engagements,” or training programmes, to increase employee satisfaction, realise better team performance, and improve communication. 

This report from Knowledge Peers and Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), reveals what leaders of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) think of IT – its strategic value, its potential, and the changing way in which it is being used in their organisations. 

Learn how you can empower your employees to make the most of big data and data analytics in this executive guide from the Corporate Executive Board. 

What skills are the most relevant and valued by companies in 2012? In order for individuals to succeed in this unpredictable economy, it's important to cultivate these top 12 skills ranging from technical to business to social. 

What skills do you need to be a good manager? How does leadership differ from management? Get answers to these fundamental questions and relate the core skills of management to each other and to the art of leadership in this white paper. Find out how to delegate, negotiate, motivate, lead and more. 

Now is a great time to train yourself or your team. Choose from over 30 eligible courses from our Project Management and Professional Skills line. 

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the IT challenges facing retailers, as consumers turn increasingly to web and mobile shopping channels. Oracle president Mark Hurd talks about how the supplier intends to simplify IT infrastructures. And new government CIO Andy Nelson discusses how he plans to transform Whitehall IT. Read the issue now. 

The Open Group IT Specialist Certification Program (the Program) is designed to validate the existence of those qualities and skills in a professional that enable the effective development, implementation, and operation of IT solutions. 

Oracle’s Sun SPARC Enterprise M-Series servers, Oracle® Solaris, Oracle Solaris Cluster, and educational and professional services from Oracle can help organizations maximize the availability of business-critical IT services. Continue reading to learn more.