5/12/2010 -- Between April 26 and 28, five new certification exams from Oracle entered beta (none of which have their closing dates announced). The cost for each exam, while in beta, is $50, and they consist of between 120 and 150 questions (up to 3 hours allotted). Available through VUE testing centers, the five exams are:
- Oracle Database 11g: Data Warehouse Essentials
- Oracle Database 11g Security Options Essentials
- Oracle Essbase 11 Essentials
- Oracle Webcenter Essentials
- Oracle Enterprise Content Management Essentials

More information on the beta exams can be found here.

Fourteen Microsoft Exams Retiring

Trick or treat? On October 31, there are fourteen certification exams that Microsoft is retiring. Many of these have been around for awhile and most are on software that has since been updated and is tested upon in a newer exam. Those that are going away on this date are:

- Designing, Implementing, and Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 (70-089)
- Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Software Asset Management (SAM) Program (70-123)
- Designing a Microsoft Office Enterprise Project Management (EPM) Solution (74-131)
- Deploying a Portal Solution with Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies (74-132)
- Customizing Portal Solutions with Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies (74-133)
- Pre-Installing Microsoft Products and Technologies (74-134)
- Developing E-Business Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004 (74-135)
- Developing Microsoft Office Solutions Using XML with Office Professional Edition 2003 (74-137)
- Planning and Building a Messaging and Collaboration Environment using Microsoft Office System and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (74-138)
- Deploying Business Desktops with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Office 2003 (74-139)
- Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 – Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting (70-262)
- Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solutions (70-281)
- Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization (70-285)
- Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 (70-350)

More information on current and retiring Microsoft certification exams can be found here.

Book Of The Week: Reflections On Management

While a book on management may seem an unlikely read for an IT crowd, the subtitle on Watts S. Humphrey's Reflections on Management explain its applicability: How to Manage Your Software Projects, Your Teams, Your Boss, and Yourself. This easy to read digest comes from an expert in the field. Not only is Humphrey a Senior Fellow at SEI (Software Engineering Institute), but he also had 27 years experience at IBM, has written at least three other books on IT teams, and knows well of what he speaks.

The eight chapters, which break the material down into the four areas of management addressed in the subtitle, are:
- Committing to High Quality
- Planning for High Quality Projects
- Elements of Effective Teams
- Being an Effective Team Member
- Leading and Coaching Your Teams
- Negotiating Your Projects and Defending Your Plans
- Taking Control of Your Work
- Learning to Lead

While all the content is beneficial, I found the most value in the chapter on coaching. As it points out, the way teams perform depends to a great extent on how they relate to their leadership. There are three ways of motivating the members toward the common goal: fear, greed and commitment. Making and sustaining commitments is imperative for the success of the team and coaching is one proven method for helping with commitment. The techniques and requirements discussed in the chapter will help you understand the importance of coaching and show you ways to help implement it in your environment.