IT management

IT career paths

• What is a chief product officer (CPO)?

  A chief product officer (CPO) is a C-level executive responsible for the overall product strategy, development, and performance within an organization.

• What is a change agent (agent of change)?

  A change agent, or agent of change, is someone who promotes change and enables it to happen within any group or organization.

• What is the gig economy?

  A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations hire independent workers for short-term commitments.

IT Operations

Terms related to the processes and services implemented and managed by an organization’s information technology (IT) department. Topics covered include systems management, configuration management, API management and DevOps, as well as real-time performance monitoring and management.

• What is a power distribution unit (PDU)?

  A power distribution unit (PDU) is a device for controlling data center electrical power.

• What is change control?

  Change control is a systematic approach that includes the various steps needed to process changes made to a product or system.

• What is bit (binary digit) in computing?

  A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data that a computer can process and store. It can have only one of two values: 0 or 1.

Personal computing

Terms related to personal computers, including definitions about computers sold as consumer products and words and phrases about laptops, tablets and smartphones.

• What is mobile computing?

  Mobile computing refers to the set of IT technologies, products, services and operational strategies and procedures that enable end users to access computation, information and related resources and capabilities while mobile.

• What is the principle of least privilege (POLP)?

  The principle of least privilege (POLP) is a concept in computer security that limits users' access rights to only what is strictly required to do their jobs.

• What is CCTV (closed-circuit television)?

  CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a video surveillance system in which signals are transmitted to a specific set of monitors and are not publicly broadcast. It is primarily used for security and monitoring.

Project management

Terms related to project management, including definitions about project management methodologies and tools.

• What is Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)?

  The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a document containing standard terminology, best practices and process guidelines around project management as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

• What is change control?

  Change control is a systematic approach that includes the various steps needed to process changes made to a product or system.

• What is an IT strategic plan (information technology strategic plan)?

  An IT strategic plan is a document that details the comprehensive technology-enabled business management processes an organization uses to guide operations.

Technical support

Terms related to computer fundamentals, including computer hardware definitions and words and phrases about software, operating systems, peripherals and troubleshooting.

• What is the blue screen of death (BSOD)?

  The blue screen of death (BSOD) -- also known as a stop error screen, blue screen error, fatal error or bugcheck -- is a critical error screen that can be displayed by Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes).

• What is a qubit (quantum bit)?

  A qubit, short for quantum bit, is the basic unit of information in quantum computing and the counterpart to the bit, or binary digit, in classical computing.

• What is computer room air conditioning (CRAC)? CRAC vs. CRAH unit differences?

  A computer room air conditioning (CRAC) unit is a device that monitors and maintains the temperature, air distribution and humidity in a data center, network or server room.