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Whether you’re managing a project in construction or manufacturing, keeping costs down is paramount. The lower your costs, the higher your profits. It’s as simple as that. This is why cost control techniques are so important in project management and business administration. To understand cost control methods, let’s first define what cost control is and then we’ll explore the steps you can take to implement cost control. There are also a number of cost control techniques that can help, which we’ll also outline. Learn how strategic cost management techniques can help you better manage construction or manufacturing projects. What Is Cost Control? Cost control is a practice performed across businesses in most industries. Cost control works by identifying and reducing expenses to increase the profitability of the company. Cost control as a process begins with estimating costs, making a budget and then implementing cost control methods. Actual financial results are compared with the budgeted expectations and if the actual costs are more than what was budgeted, actions to reduce those costs must be implemented. /wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Cost-Benefit-Analysis-Template.png Get your free Cost Benefit Analysis Template Use this free Cost Benefit Analysis Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File Comparing costs is but one way to analyze the financial performance of an organization or project. Through this analysis, companies can make more accurate and informed projections to help them minimize their costs and identify areas where they’re overspending. Depending on the type of business, vendor management can also be part of the cost control process as supplies can be a significant cost and potential area of savings. These costs must also be managed and project management software can help you identify, manage and control costs. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software that has real-time Gantt charts that help you track project cost variance. Once you’ve set a baseline on our Gantt chart, the live dashboard automatically collects project costs and displays them in an easy-to-read graph that shows the actual, planned and budgeted costs. Unlike lightweight tools, there’s no lengthy setup required. Once you’ve set up the Gantt chart, you can monitor project costs in real time on views like the project dashboard. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Manufacturing-gantt-chart-light-mode-costs-exposed-cta-e1712005286389-1600x659.jpgProjectManager has real-time dashboards to manage cost control. Learn more Cost Control Techniques The more accurate your estimates, the more profitable you’ll be. We’ve already mentioned that, but it’s worth repeating. Estimating can be daunting. It’s far from an exact science, but it’s critical in cost control. We’ve outlined several cost control techniques you can apply to make better cost forecasts. 1. Cost-Benefit Analysis One way to control costs is by not taking on a project that is never going to give you the return on investment you want. That’s where a cost-benefit analysis comes in handy. It’s a way to estimate the strengths and weaknesses of the project to determine if it’s worth taking on the risk. Therefore, it determines if the investment is sound, as in benefits outweighing costs. 2. Earned Value Management Earned value management uses costs, schedule, technical scope and risk to measure project performance against a baseline. This helps to identify issues as well as forecast costs by measuring performance against the planned value, actual cost and earned value. 3. Cost Reduction The best cost control is to reduce costs. There are many ways to implement cost reduction in projects, from proper allocation of resources to mentoring and retaining your team. Project managers should explore all aspects of cost reduction, whether that’s process improvements, reducing project scope or even outsourcing as needed. 4. Cost Accounting Cost accounting is the monitoring, analyzing and recording of variable and fixed expenses related to the production of goods and services. Through this process, project managers can adopt greater productivity measures, make better strategic decisions and keep to their budget. This is all done, as will cost control, to raise the net profit margins through budgeting, forecasting, the price of the product or service and aligning with corporate strategy. 5. Activity-Based Costing This cost control technique assigns overhead and indirect costs to related products and services and recognizes the relationship between costs, overhead and manufactured products. It assigns indirect costs to products less arbitrarily than more traditional methods of cost control. An issue with this type of cost control technique, though, is that indirect costs such as management and office staff salaries can be difficult to assign to a product. 6. Budgetary Control Simply put, budgetary control is the management of income and expenditure. Like many cost control techniques, it’s all about comparing the actual costs against the planned costs to identify if there’s a discrepancy between them. 7. Target Costing Target costs are when a company plans for the price points, product costs and margins it wants to achieve for its new product. If the manufacturing of this product cannot meet these constraints, then the project is shelved. This provides manufacturers with a way to monitor products from the earliest design phase throughout the project’s life cycle to help them invest only in those projects that will increase the company’s profitability. 8. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Total cost of ownership is an estimating process that determines how much money will be spent on an asset over the course of its useful life. That means, from the point of purchase to when the asset is disposed of. This helps to avoid buying assets that won’t bring a return on investment, as the cost to buy, use and maintain is more than the benefit the asset provides. 9. Value Engineering While its focus is broader than just reducing cost, value engineering is used in cost control to optimize the balance between cost, function and quality. It involves analyzing the functions of a project, product or service to identify ways to achieve the desired outcomes at the lowest cost without compromising quality or performance. 10. Job Costing This is primarily used in industries where products or services are customized ,such as construction, manufacturing and professional services. Job costing consits in tracking costs related to specific jobs or projects, making it possible to control and monitor costs on a job-by-job basis. It tracks direct costs, identifies cost overruns, improves cost estimation, helps to allocate indirect costs, monitors performance and more. 11. Cost Variance Analysis Cost variance analysis involves comparing the actual costs incurred in a project or operation to the budgeted or standard costs. It helps identify discrepancies between the planned and actual performance, enabling organizations to take corrective actions to stay within budget, optimize operations and improve overall efficiency. 12. Target Costing Use target costing as a proactive cost control technique. It focuses on managing costs by setting a target cost for a product or service based on its desired selling price and profit margin. The objective is to meet the target cost without compromising quality, functionality or customer satisfaction. This technique is commonly used in industries where competition is fierce, and price sensitivity is high, such as manufacturing and automotive industries. 13. Zero-Based Budgeting This method of budgeting is where every expense must be justified for each new period, starting from zero, rather than relying on previous budgets or historical expenditures. It’s an approach that ensures that every dollar spent is scrutinized and aligned with the organization’s goals, making it a powerful tool for cost control by enhancing cost efficiency, encouraging accountability and promoting better financial decision making. 14. Break-Even Analysis Break-even analysis is an effective cost control technique that helps businesses determine the point at which they cover all their costs and begin to make a profit. It identifies the level of sales needed to break even–i.e., when total revenues equal total costs, and no profit or loss is made. This analysis is crucial for understanding the relationship between fixed and variable costs and helps businesses manage their cost structure and profitability. 15. Life Cycle Costing Another effective cost control technique is life cycle costing, which involves assessing the total cost of a product or project over its entire lifespan, from design and development to operation and disposal. This approach helps organizations make more informed decisions about costs, by not only considering the initial costs but also the long-term expenses related to maintenance, operation and eventual decommissioning or disposal. How to Control Costs Being able to monitor costs in real time is important, but that’s only part of a thorough control cost process. This is a process that needs constant monitoring, but there are steps that you can implement before the project begins to set the stage for controlling costs. Follow these steps to better control costs in your project or business. 1. Identify Your Resource Requirements Controlling costs starts with planning. One of the most costly aspects of any project or business is the resources needed to do the work. This includes labor, but also equipment, materials and anything required to execute tasks. By identifying these resources with the use of a work breakdown structure to identify deliverables and tasks, project managers can list the resource requirements with greater accuracy. 2. Estimate Costs Now that you’ve listed the resource requirements, you’ll want to estimate how much each of those will cost. The more accurate you are, the better, of course. Therefore, you’ll want to meet with the project team as they have the experience and can give you more realistic estimates. There’s also historical data that can help you determine the cost compared to what similar projects cost. Finally, don’t neglect expert opinion. Seek it out. 3. Create a Budget Knowing your deliverables, tasks and resources and having an accurate forecast of costs means that you’re ready to develop a budget. Again, the more accurate the budget, the more likely you can adhere to it and stay profitable. Creating a budget starts by allocating costs to each task on the project schedule. All the activities on a workflow will have a line item cost in the budget. 4. Track & Control Costs Once the project execution phase begins, so does the monitoring and controlling phase. As teams work on their tasks, the project manager will keep track of their work and the associated costs. Setting a cost baseline captures the budget and makes it easier to compare actual costs to the budget to make sure there’s no overspending. If there is, then the schedule or scope needs to be adjusted to make up for the extra cost if you want to keep the project balanced. Free Cost-Benefit Analysis Template One of the best ways to know whether a project is viable in terms of cost is to use a cost-benefit analysis. Download this free cost-benefit analysis template for Excel to determine if a project is viable from a cost perspective. It helps you quickly crunch the numbers and helps determine if the project is worth undertaking. /wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Cost-Benefit-Analysis-Screenshot.jpg Importance of Cost Control In Construction The importance of cost control should be clear, but how does it translate across various industries? Let’s take construction, where cost control is a vital tool to keep expenses under control. This is done by managing labor, materials and overhead costs to keep to the budget. Estimating, as always, is key, but so is monitoring throughout construction otherwise it’s possible to burn through the budget and lose most if not all of a general contractor’s budget. Importance of Cost Control In Project Management As in any industry, cost control in project management follows similar lines of collecting actual costs and comparing them to the planned costs of the project. Therefore, cost control is essential to ensure that you’re not spending too much, minimizing costs and revealing areas in the project where costs are spiking so they can be controlled. Importance of Cost Control In Manufacturing Manufacturing is no different when it comes to reaping the benefits of cost control. It allows manufacturers to identify waste in their production and work towards eliminating it. But it’s not merely during the manufacturing process where cost control can be effective, but also with administrative costs and even in the selling and distribution process. How ProjectManager Helps With Cost Control In order to implement cost control more effectively you’ll want to use project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software that delivers real-time data to help project managers make more informed decisions. More than the accuracy of our data is the wide spectrum of our features that give you the power to monitor and control costs to keep projects within the budget and capture overspending quickly so they can be resolved and not negatively impact your profit margin. Manage Labor Costs With Online Timesheets Identifying and tracking resources is an important part of cost control. Labor isn’t only your most important resource but often your most expensive. Our secure online timesheets allow you to monitor the progress that each team member is making on their assigned task to ensure that they’re keeping to the schedule. We also streamline the process by making it easy to carry one task from one week to the next, automatically add them and lock timesheets once submitted. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Timesheet-Light-2554x1372-1-e1709159471615-1600x536.png Keep Teams Productive With Workload Charts Being able to monitor your team’s workload helps make sure they’re not overburdened with tasks, which leads to low morale and reduced productivity. Our color-coded workload chart makes it easy to see at a glance who has how many assignments. You can then balance the workload without having to leave the chart, making sure that everyone is working at capacity but not overallocated. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Workload-Light-2554x1372-1-1600x860.png There are many other ways to avoid overspending on a project. Our risk management features, for instance, help you identify, track and mitigate risk in your projects, which can put an undue strain on your budget. Task management features keep teams productive and resource management tools help you identify, manage and track resources throughout the project. ProjectManager is online project management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, on the job site or anywhere in the world. Our collaborative platform lets you share files, comment at the task level and much more. Join teams at companies as diverse as Avis, Nestle and Siemens who are using our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 15 Best Cost Control Techniques appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

The 2025 slate of Oscar nominees recognizes many writers, directors and actors whose scripts and performances don’t necessarily reflect their own cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, both white, co-wrote “Sing Sing,” a story about rehabilitation through art in a maximum security prison where the characters are almost entirely people of color. Meg LeFauve has now earned her second nomination for penning a script that gives voice the gamut of emotions surging through a young girl in “Inside Out 2.” She’s in her 50s. The director of “Conclave,” Edward Berger, its writer, Peter Straughan, and its lead actor, Ralph Fiennes, are all self-proclaimed lapsed Catholics. Yet they brought to life a political thriller set in the Vatican. “The Brutalist” was written entirely in English, but much of the film’s dialogue is in Hungarian, with two leads who are not native Hungarian speakers. Most screenwriters endeavor to craft characters outside their own backgrounds and experiences. But concerns about authentic language representation and cultural accuracy persist, and accusations of cultural appropriation and lazy research are commonplace. “Emilia Pérez,” for example, has been heavily criticized not only for unrealistic portrayals of gender transition but also for inauthentic depictions of Mexican culture and accents. The film’s director, Jacques Audiard, has even claimed his lack of knowledge of Spanish has been an artistic benefit. He says it gives him “a quality of detachment” to emphasize “emotion” rather than “focus too strongly on the accent, the punctuation.” His lack of interest in precise depictions of language and culture contrasts sharply with our recent research, which shows ample interest from practicing screenwriters in accurately representing dialects and accents in scripts. Wanting to get it right We surveyed over 50 current members of the Writers Guild of America, and they broadly told us that sensitivity to linguistic representation has increased since the 2010s. Several commented that there’s been more commitment to hiring writers who represent the characters’ voices and backgrounds. There’s also more “freedom to include diverse characters and worlds… but a commensurate emphasis on authenticity and a higher bar for what that means,” as one writer explained. “Authenticity” was consistently cited in our survey as a principal consideration when writing dialogue. Other concerns included scripts’ intelligibility, historical accuracy and believability. In most cases, screenwriters aspire to write dialogue that sounds authentic. But it’s not easy – and often requires collaboration to get it right. Writers noted how they’ll adjust their dialogue based on production needs, such as budgetary concerns, input from actors and directors, and feedback from dialect coaches and historical consultants. For example, spec scripts – or noncommissioned film scripts – are written before any casting or production decisions are made. The dialogue in these scripts will likely change once actors and other creatives are attached to the project. Recipes for capturing linguistic nuance In our study, we also reviewed screenwriting manuals published as far back as 1946. Manuals didn’t begin to raise explicit ethical concerns, such as the use of inaccurate linguistic stereotypes in dialogue, until the 1980s. For example, many older films, such as “Gone with the Wind,” often used phonetic spelling in their scripts, with features such as g-dropping – “quittin’” for “quitting” – to mark only the speech of lower-class or racially marginalized characters, despite the fact that all people, regardless of background, have accents. Writing in heavy phonetics is generally discouraged in modern screenwriting. There are practical reasons for this. Scripts are read before they’re seen and therefore must first appeal to the not so general audience of executives who buy them. As one writer explained, “My script is targeted towards them.” Take “Trainspotting.” Irvine Welsh’s 1993 novel about a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh was written with heavy phonetics to capture the characters’ Scottish dialect: “ah wouldnae git tae watch it.” But the screenplay uses lines without phonetics, such as, “I wouldn’t have bothered.” In this respect, there’s a notable difference in novels and their respective adaptations. One surveyed writer avoids dialectal markers and will “default to standard American English unless there is a reason not to.” That doesn’t mean the actors in “Trainspotting” should speak in an American English accent. Instead, screenwriters might simply indicate the use of language and dialect when describing the scene in a script or, as one surveyed screenwriter explained, “make a note in the parenthetical that ‘Brynn speaks with a heavy West Virginia accent’” to flag the work that “the actor, dialogue coach, and writer will need to do together.” This method is employed in “The Brutalist.” The film is partly in Hungarian, but writer and director Brady Corbet and his Norwegian co-writer, Mona Fastvold, wrote the Hungarian dialogue in standard English. They then used parentheticals to indicate any non-English delivery of dialogue. The film’s stars, Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, worked with a dialect coach to hone their accents. “Anora,” which tells the story of an exotic dancer in a whirlwind romance, features characters who speak Russian, Armenian and English with varying degrees of fluency. Even though the characters frequently switch between these languages, the entire script is in unbroken English. Code-switching is simply marked with “Russian,” “Armenian” or “English” in the script before a piece of dialogue. But limiting oneself to standard U.S. English restricts diversity in the written dialogue itself. Some writers may want to use dialect or language to convey character authenticity on the page. Our survey respondents described this as “flavor” – the strategic use of dialectal words or phrases to create distinct voices, with limited phonetics. Jesse Eisenberg, in his Oscar-nominated script “A Real Pain,” lightly blends American English with occasional Yiddish words to great effect: “… landed in Galveston for some fakakta reason,” or “crazy” reason. AI chimes in Attempts at authenticity can become muddied when AI gets involved. When making “The Brutalist,” Corbet controversially used AI technology to refine the movie’s Hungarian dialogue. Some questioned the film’s authenticity due to the use of AI, arguing that nothing can be authentic if it’s achieved artificially. But the film’s creators, including editor and native Hungarian speaker Dávid Jancsó, defended this choice. They argued the technology actually enhanced the language’s authenticity, particularly since Hungarian’s system of vowels and consonants is especially hard for nonnative speakers to capture accurately. Whether writers use phonetics or standard language, and whether producers use AI or dialect coaches, questions of ethics and linguistic authenticity will remain. It’s important to research language choices and dialogue, and to consult the diverse speakers portrayed in scripts. These are among the many essential checks and balances that are becoming bigger parts of the filmmaking process. Chris C. Palmer is a professor of English at Kennesaw State University. Mitchell Olson is an associate professor of screen and TV writing at Kennesaw State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

Just because a project is pitched doesn’t mean it’s the right project. Organizations have to explore the proposal and determine if it’s a good fit for them in terms of risk, reward, resources and so on. That’s why there’s a feasibility report. What is a feasibility report? We’ll answer that, show what should be included and even add a feasibility report example to show what it would look like in a real-world scenario. Then, we’ll add links to some related free templates to help with the feasibility study report. What Is a Feasibility Report? A feasibility report in project management is a detailed analysis that evaluates the practicality, risks and potential success of a proposed project before committing significant resources. It helps decision-makers determine whether the project is viable by assessing various factors such as technical feasibility, financial viability, operational capacity and market demand. This report typically includes an analysis of project objectives, required resources, potential risks, estimated costs and expected benefits. It helps identify challenges that may arise and provides recommendations on whether to proceed with the project, modify it or abandon it altogether. By conducting a feasibility report, organizations can minimize risks, optimize resource allocation and improve project planning. It ensures that investments are made in projects that are realistic, profitable and aligned with business goals. Once the project is proven feasible, that’s when it’s time to put away the report and pick up the project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that turns a feasibility report into a project plan that teams can execute with our multiple project views. Project managers can schedule tasks, resources and costs on Gantt charts, which also link dependencies to avoid delays and cost overruns, filter for the critical path and set a baseline to compare the plan against the actual progress in real time. That plan is shared with teams who can execute their work on kanban boards or task lists, while stakeholders stay updated on the calendar view. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA.pngProjectManager’s Gantt chart turns feasibility reports into project plans. Learn more What Should Be Included in a Feasibility Report? A feasibility report provides a comprehensive assessment of a project’s viability by analyzing various critical factors. It helps organizations make informed decisions about whether to proceed with a project, adjust the plan or abandon it. Below are the essential components of a feasibility report. Executive Summary A high-level overview of the report, summarizing key findings, conclusions and recommendations. The executive summary provides stakeholders with a quick understanding of the project’s feasibility without needing to go through the entire document. Project Description, Goals and Objectives Outlines the project’s purpose, scope and intended outcomes. It defines the problem the project aims to solve and the specific goals it seeks to achieve. Resource Requirements Details the human, material and technological resources needed to execute the project. This includes workforce, equipment, facilities and software requirements. Technical Feasibility Evaluates whether the project can be implemented with the available technology, infrastructure and expertise. It examines system compatibility, required innovations and technical risks. Financial Feasibility Analyzes the project’s cost estimates, funding sources, return on investment (ROI) and overall profitability. It helps determine whether the project is financially sustainable. Market Feasibility Assesses the demand for the project’s product or service, target market, competition and potential customer adoption. This ensures that there is a viable market for the project’s success. Operational Feasibility Examines whether the organization has the capabilities, resources and operational structure to execute and sustain the project. It also considers workforce skills and internal process alignment. Scheduling Feasibility Evaluates the estimated project timeline, key milestones and potential scheduling risks. It helps determine if the project can be completed within the required timeframe. Legal and Regulatory Considerations Identifies compliance requirements related to laws, regulations, industry standards and contractual obligations. It ensures that the project aligns with legal frameworks. Environmental and Social Impact Analyzes the potential environmental and societal effects of the project. This includes sustainability factors, ethical concerns, and community impact assessments. Project Assumptions and Constraints Lists any assumptions made during the feasibility study, such as economic conditions, resource availability or technological advancements. It also highlights constraints like budget limitations, regulatory restrictions or workforce capacity. A well-structured feasibility report provides a clear and objective evaluation of a project’s viability, helping stakeholders make informed decisions. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Feasibility-report-sample-featured-image.jpg Get your free Project Feasibility Report Sample Use this free Project Feasibility Report Sample for Word to manage your projects better. Download Word File Feasibility Report Example Now that we better understand a feasibility report, including the components that make it up, an example will help put the document in context. Below we imagine a construction project and how the feasibility study report determines the viability of the work. Project Description, Goals and Objectives The proposed project involves the construction of a brand-new hotel building in a prime urban location. The hotel will cater to business and leisure travelers, offering high-end amenities, conference facilities and premium dining options. The objective is to establish a competitive hospitality business that meets market demands, generates consistent revenue and contributes to local economic development. Resource Requirements Resources are people, equipment and anything else needed to execute the project. Below are the resources that are required for this project. Land Acquisition: Prime urban real estate (approximately 50,000 sq. ft.) Construction Materials: Concrete, steel, glass, wood and eco-friendly materials Labor and Workforce: Architects, engineers, contractors and construction workers Technology & Equipment: HVAC, elevators, security systems and IT infrastructure Furniture & Fixtures: High-quality furnishings, kitchen equipment and decor Operational Staff: Management, housekeeping, catering and security teams Technical Feasibility This section evaluates whether a project can be successfully implemented with the available technology, resource capacity and expertise. Structural Design: A modern high-rise with energy-efficient architecture Utilities & Infrastructure: Reliable water supply, electricity and sewage systems Safety Standards: Fire suppression systems, earthquake resistance and emergency exits Smart Hotel Technology: Automated check-in, keyless entry and integrated room controls Financial Feasibility Here, the project’s economic viability is evaluated, such as its costs, funding sources and potential profitability. Estimated Project Cost: $50 million (land, construction and operational setup) Funding Sources: Bank loans, investors and government incentives Projected Revenue: $15 million annually (room bookings, event hosting and dining services) Break-even Analysis: Expected within five years Operational Expenses: Staff salaries, maintenance, marketing and utilities Market Feasibility This assesses whether there is a demand for a product or service in the target market. Target Market: Business travelers, tourists and event organizers Competitor Analysis: Nearby luxury hotels and boutique establishments Market Demand: Growing tourism and corporate event needs in the area Marketing Strategy: Digital campaigns, partnerships with travel agencies and loyalty programs Operational Feasibility This looks at whether the organization has the resources, structure and capabilities to successfully implement and sustain a project. Hotel Management System: Integrated property management software Supply Chain: Reliable vendors for food, linens and other essentials Staffing Plan: Hiring experienced hospitality professionals Customer Service Strategy: 24/7 guest support and personalized experiences Scheduling Feasibility Scheduling feasibility evaluates whether a project can be completed within a reasonable and acceptable timeline. Planning & Design Phase: Six months Permit Approvals: Four-to-six months Construction Phase: Twenty-four months Interior Setup & Staff Training: Six months Grand Opening: Within three years of project commencement Legal and Regulatory Considerations At this point, the feasibility report reviews if the project complies with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards. Zoning Laws: Compliance with local building regulations Building Permits: Necessary approvals from municipal authorities Health & Safety Regulations: Adhering to hospitality industry standards Environmental Compliance: Waste management and sustainability protocols Environmental and Social Impact This evaluates how a project may affect the environment and surrounding communities. Sustainability Practices: Green building certifications and energy-efficient design Community Engagement: Job creation and collaboration with local businesses Traffic and Infrastructure Impact: Mitigation plans for increased local traffic Waste Management: Recycling initiatives and reduced water consumption Project Assumptions and Constraints Outlines the key factors that are taken as true for planning purposes, as well as the limitations that may impact project execution. Assumptions Demand for premium hotel services will continue to grow Construction costs will remain stable within the estimated budget Regulatory approvals will be secured on time Constraints Potential delays in obtaining permits Supply chain disruptions for materials and equipment Market fluctuations affecting hotel bookings and revenue This feasibility report provides a structured analysis of the proposed hotel construction project to ensure informed decision-making and successful execution. Feasibility Report Sample Reviewing a feasibility report sample can be very helpful as you become more familiar with the process of creating feasibility reports. Download the example above as a feasibility report sample for Word by clicking the image. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Project-feasibility-Report-Sample-1.png Related Project Management Templates To help create a thorough feasibility report, try some of these free related templates. They’re only a few of the over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that are available now on our site. These free templates cover every aspect of managing a project, across multiple industries. Feasibility Study Template This free feasibility study template for Word provides the basis of analysis that will result in the feasibility report, which is a written summary of that analysis. This helps pinpoint the logistical, financial and market challenges of a proposed project. Business Case Template A business case is used to show the costs related to the project and whether they’re worthwhile and will deliver ROI. This free business case template for Word works hand in glove with a feasibility report. Cost-Benefit Analysis Template Another way to determine if the proposed project is worth the investment is by using this free cost-benefit analysis template for Excel. It compares what the budget for the project will be against the benefits that it will deliver. How ProjectManager Helps Manage Projects From Start to Finish Templates can be helpful, especially when deciding if the proposed project will be a good fit for the organization. All the free downloadable templates from our site will help with that research. However, once a project has been approved and moves into the planning stage, templates are just not equipped to do the job. They’re static documents and projects are dynamic. That’s when it’s time to put away the Excel spreadsheets and open project management software like ProjectManager. Multiple project views help plan and execute the project, while resource management features and dashboards, reports and more keep the project on track. Robust Resource Management Keep Teams Productive Once human and non-human resources are scheduled on Gantt charts, project managers can onboard teams and set their availability, including PTO, vacation, global holidays, rates and skill sets. This makes it easy to assign tasks to the right person at the right time. Then, check the color-coded workload page to get an overview of resource allocation. This makes it easy to see who is overallocated or underutilized and balances the team’s workload from the same chart. Now, teams can work at capacity without risking burnout. Use the team page to stay updated on the team’s daily or weekly activities, which can be filtered by priority, progress and more. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Monitor Progress, Cost and More With Real-Time Dashboards and Reports To ensure that the project is meeting the expectations set by the feasibility report, project managers can first get a high-level view of the progress and performance with real-time project or portfolio dashboards. They’re collecting live data and displaying it on easy-to-read graphs and charts that show key metrics like time, cost, workload and more. For more details, use customizable reports on project status, portfolio status, variance workload, timesheets and more. These reports can be filtered to focus on specific data points or provide a summary and shared with stakeholders to keep them updated. Even our secure timesheets help by tracking labor costs to help keep to the budget. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg Related Project Initiation Content Testing a project to see if it’s worth pursuing is what a feasibility report is for. There are other things project managers can do to figure out if a proposal should be approved and, if it is, how to initiate it. Below are a handful of articles we’ve recently published on our blog that go into those details. Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Quick Guide with Examples Project Selection: Use These 8 Selection Methods Project Initiation: How to Start Your Project Off Right How Project Prioritization Scoring Models Help Organizations How to Start a Project in 10 Steps ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, out in the field or anywhere else in the world. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Feasibility Report in Project Management (Example & Sample Included) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Prime Video has new installments of two familiar series coming in March. First up is season three of The Wheel of Time (March 13), an adaptation of Robert Jordan's fantasy books of the same name. Rosamund Pike stars as sorceress Moiraine Damodred, a member of the powerful Aes Sedai. The season opens with a magical battle between members of the order—viewers will get a three-episode premiere with five weekly episodes to follow. Also in its third season is Bosch: Legacy (March 27)—also an adaptation, this time of Michael Connolly's crime novels. A sequel to Prime Video hit Bosch, the series was originally canceled after its second season but was revived for a third and final installment. Titus Welliver reprises his role as former LAPD detective Harry Bosch working to solve his final case. Prime Video is also releasing Holland (March 27), a mystery thriller starring Nicole Kidman as a teacher and homemaker in an idyllic Michigan town, where mysteries and secrets begin to unravel her life. The film also stars Matthew Macfadyen (of Succession) as Kidman's husband and Gael García Bernal as her close friend. Here are all the originals coming to Prime Video in March. What’s coming to Prime Video in March 2025Available March 6For the Win: NWSL Picture This Available March 13The Wheel of Time S3 Available March 20Tyler Perry's Duplicity Available March 27Bosch: Legacy S3 Holland View the full article

We love our social media, and more frighteningly, we love getting medical information from social media. Almost 20% of Americans say they trust TikTok as much as doctors, even though 45% of the medical information on TikTok is false or misleading. Now, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, the problem goes deeper: Social media might be promoting the overuse of medical tests such as MRIs. In some circles, such tests have even become a luxury status symbol. What the new study found Researchers analyzed a cross-section of 982 posts from account holders with more than 194 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok. They selected posts referring to five different tests, which have evidence of being overused and failing to improve health outcomes when used for people who don’t need them. The tests included: full-body MRIs early-cancer detection egg reserve tests (which get used as a proxy for fertility) gut microbiome tests low-testosterone blood tests The researchers found that 87% of the posts mentioned the benefits of the tests, 84% had a promotional tone, and 51% encouraged the audience to go get tested. Only 15% mentioned the harms of using the tests, while about 5% minimized the harms involved. A mere 6% of the posts cited evidence, while 34% cited personal anecdotes. Overall, 68% of posters had a financial interest in the test they were promoting. “[Most] posts were promotional, were from account holders with some form of financial interest in promoting the test, and mentioned test benefits. . . . These posts have the potential to mislead the public to getting tested despite the lack of evidence to support these tests and the potential for harms related to overdiagnosis or overuse,” the researchers wrote. View the full article

YouTube revamps mid-roll ads to target natural breaks, offering hybrid placement options that reduce viewer disruptions. The post YouTube Details Changes Coming To Mid-Roll Ads On May 12 appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Different methodologies like PRINCE2 work for different projects, industries, tools and teams. These project management methodologies can be approached rigidly, or can be mixed, where a hybrid project management methodology of two or more are used to respond to the unique aspects of a project environment. Project managers who aren’t based in the United Kingdom might not be intimate with the PRINCE2 methodology of managing a project, which is the UK government standard. Although foreign to some outside of the United Kingdom, there’s still much to be gained from the PRINCE2 project management method, even if it isn’t adopted in its entirety. We’ll go over the main components of the PRINCE2 project management methodology, which are: PRINCE2 Principles PRINCE2 Aspects PRINCE2 Themes PRINCE2 Roles and Responsibilities PRINCE2 Processes PRINCE2 Management Products But before we dive into that, let’s define what PRINCE2 is. What Is PRINCE2? PRINCE2 is a project management methodology that is mostly used in the UK, Australia and European countries. “PRINCE2” stands for Projects IN Controlled Environments, because this method focuses on managing resources and risks by dividing projects into smaller stages, defining clear roles & responsibilities and using seven processes to manage the project life cycle. By organizing the project into logical steps, PRINCE2 demands a project management framework that has an organized and controlled project plan before starting, one that maintains its organization through the project life cycle. The control is achieved by seven PRINCE2 processes that compose a project, from start to finish. That involves planning and scheduling. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software with online Gantt charts that are a perfect fit for the PRINCE2 methodology. Our powerful Gantt charts break project phases into milestones and link all four types of task dependencies to manage your schedule. Once you have a plan in place, set the baseline to capture your progress. Get started today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/construction-gantt-resources-costs-150-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgProjectManager has robust Gantt charts to break your project into phases. Learn more. History of PRINCE2 Now that we have an idea of what PRINCE2 is, let’s take a quick look at its origins. First established in 1989 by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), the PRINCE2 method was originally based on PROMPT, another acronym that stands for Project Resource Organization Management Planning Technique, which was created in 1975 and used by the United Kingdom government for its information system projects. PRINCE2 was finally published as a project management methodology in 1996, and surprisingly, it is in the public domain. Seven Principles of PRINCE2 Seven principles are the basis for PRINCE2 methodology. All must be followed for the project management methodology to be considered PRINCE2. These seven principles are a framework for a PRINCE2 mindset and they are as follows. 1. Continued Business Justification The most important document in PRINCE2 is the business case, which is reviewed and revised throughout the life cycle of the project. This is done to make sure the project remains viable. If not, the project ends. 2. Learn From Experience There is a lesson log attached to every project that acts as a repository for lessons learned in previous projects to avoid repeating past mistakes. The lesson log is referred to throughout the project. You can get started with our free lessons learned template. /wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Lessons-Learned-Screenshot-600x199.jpgLessons learned template Free download 3. Roles and Responsibilities Are Defined Project members can take on multiple roles or share a role. Four levels make up the structure of people in a project: corporate, project board, project manager and team. 4. Manage by Stages PRINCE2 is planned and follows a stage-by-stage process. When transitioning between stages the business cast, risk and project plan are all updated. 5. Manage by Exception There are what are called tolerances for each project objective. This creates limits and defines how authority is delegated. If the tolerance is exceeded the management team must decide if that tolerance is redefined. 6. Focus on Products The quality requirements of deliverables are of paramount concern. 7. Tailor to Suit Project Environment The size, complexity, importance, time, risk, etc., or the project environment, is used to tailor the project in the initiation phase and throughout each stage of the project. Six Aspects of PRINCE2 The PRINCE2 methodology identifies six aspects or areas that need to be managed in every project. Project managers need to use KPIs to measure performance goals and project tolerances. Scope: What’s the work needed to complete the project? The details of the project scope should be explained in the project plan. Costs: How much does your project cost? The project costs are detailed in the project plan as well. Timescales: How long will it take to complete your project? Each project phase is explained in the project plan, as well as the project duration. Risk: What are your project risks? You’ll need a risk management approach to determine the mitigation strategies that will be used. Quality: What are the quality requirements of your clients or stakeholders? You’ll need to have quality control and assurance procedures in place to meet quality standards. Benefits: What are the expected benefits of your project? Every project needs a business case and a cost-benefit analysis to explain its purpose and financial or strategic benefits. PRINCE2 Themes PRINCE2 is a widely-used project management methodology that is structured around seven key themes. These themes provide guidance on the essential aspects of project management, ensuring that projects are well-planned, executed and controlled. Here’s a breakdown of each theme. Business Case The business case theme ensures that the project remains viable and worthwhile throughout its lifecycle. It establishes the justification for the project by outlining the benefits, costs, risks and investment required. This theme ensures that the project’s objectives align with the organization’s strategic goals. It is reviewed at key stages to confirm continued business justification, helping stakeholders make informed decisions on whether to proceed, adjust or terminate the project. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Business-case-template-word-projectmanager-450x473.jpgBusiness case template Free download Organization This theme defines the project’s structure and roles, ensuring that responsibilities and accountabilities are clearly assigned. It identifies the project’s stakeholders and establishes a project management team with defined roles, including the project board, project manager, and team managers. By setting up a clear organizational hierarchy and communication channels, this theme ensures effective decision making and stakeholder engagement throughout the project. Quality The quality theme focuses on ensuring that the project’s deliverables meet the required standards and satisfy stakeholder expectations. It involves defining quality criteria, quality control measures and quality assurance procedures. This theme emphasizes continuous review and verification of deliverables to maintain consistency and compliance with the agreed-upon standards. It helps prevent costly rework and enhances customer satisfaction by delivering high-quality products. Plans Plans are crucial for defining how objectives will be achieved, specifying the products to be delivered, timelines, costs and resources required. The plans theme guides the development of project, stage and team plans, making sure there is alignment with the project’s objectives. It also supports effective monitoring and control by providing a baseline against which progress and performance are measured. This theme promotes detailed planning to minimize risks and maximize resource efficiency. Risk The risk theme involves identifying, assessing and managing potential threats and opportunities that could impact the project’s success. It ensures proactive risk management by establishing procedures for risk identification, evaluation, response planning and monitoring. By systematically addressing uncertainties, this theme minimizes the impact of threats and maximizes opportunities, supporting informed decision-making and project resilience. Change The change theme manages any alterations to the project’s baseline, such as changes to scope, requirements, or deliverables. It establishes a formal process for recording, assessing, and approving change requests. This theme helps maintain control over changes, ensuring they are evaluated for their impact on cost, time, quality and risk before implementation. It safeguards the project’s objectives and prevents scope creep. Progress Progress monitoring is essential to make sure the project stays on track and meets its objectives. The progress theme provides a framework for tracking and controlling project performance against the plan. It involves setting performance baselines, reviewing progress at predefined intervals and reporting status to stakeholders. This theme supports proactive decision making by highlighting deviations from the plan, enabling timely corrective actions to keep the project on course. PRINCE2 Roles & Responsibilities To create a controlled project environment, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined in the PRINCE2 project management methodology. Here are the main roles that make up a PRINCE2 project management team. Project Manager The project manager is the one who is responsible for managing the project planning, execution, controlling and closure phases. Project Manager Key Responsibilities Assemble a project team and monitor its performance Create a project plan that includes a schedule and budget Communicate with the project board and customers Executive The executive is the ultimate decision maker and is accountable for the project’s success. They ensure that the project remains aligned with business goals and provides value for money. The executive balances the needs of the user and supplier, maintaining overall business justification. They approve funding, authorize key decisions and provide strategic direction, ensuring the project stays on track to deliver expected benefits. Senior User The senior user represents those who will use the project deliverables. They make sure that the requirements are accurately defined and that the project’s outcomes meet user expectations. They provide user feedback, specify user needs and assess the deliverables’ suitability for purpose. They also ensure the final product delivers the anticipated benefits and contributes to achieving business objectives. Senior Supplier The senior supplier represents those responsible for delivering the project’s products. They ensure that the solution is technically feasible and that quality standards are maintained. They manage supplier resources, provide technical guidance and ensure deliverables are produced on time and within budget. Their focus is on ensuring the integrity, functionality and performance of the project’s products. Project Assurance Project assurance roles provide independent oversight to ensure the project remains viable, meets quality standards, and aligns with business goals. They report directly to the project board and monitor business, user and supplier interests. They review project deliverables, verify compliance with standards and ensure risks and issues are managed effectively, maintaining objectivity and safeguarding stakeholder interests. Project Support Project support provides administrative assistance to the project manager and team members. Their duties include maintaining project documentation, tracking progress, managing communication and assisting with risk and issue logging. They also support configuration management and that project management tools are used effectively. This role helps to smooth project operations by organizing resources and maintaining records. Team Manager Depending on the size of your project, you might need a team manager to closely supervise team members and report to the project manager. Customer There’s also a customer, user or supplier involved in the project. This is the person or organization that is paying for the project and will be impacted somehow by its outcome. Customer Key Responsibilities Understand important project management documents such as a project plan, project brief, risk register or business case Provide enough funds to cover the project’s resource requirements Project Board Finally, there’s a project board, which is made up of the customer and business executives, such as a person who represents the user side and another representing the suppliers or specialists involved in the project. Project Board Key Responsibilities The project board members are in charge of the high-level decision-making process. Communicate with the project manager regularly and approve or reject his initiatives Seven PRINCE2 Processes The PRINCE2 project management methodology uses seven processes to manage projects. As PRINCE2 is a controlled environment method, the role of the project manager, project board and customer are defined so everyone’s on the same page. 1. Starting Up a Project (SU) This is where it’s determined whether the project is viable. To do so, a project brief, business case and a detailed stage plan must be created. You should also create a project initiation document, another important PRINCE2 document that summarizes the key aspects of your project. Also, it’s important to do due diligence before the project is executed to save time and money once the project has started. 2. Initiating a Project (IP) During this process, you’ll need to define the project aspects that we mentioned above; scope, costs, timescales, risk, quality and benefits. A project initiation document template can help. /wp-content/uploads/2023/07/project-initiation-document-template-450x438.jpgProject initiation document template Free download 3. Directing a Project (DP) This process is to help the project board be accountable to the project through their decision-making. They have the authority to initiate the project, deliver its product and close the project. They also offer direction and control during the project. Additionally, they work with corporate entities or program management and review post-project benefits. Activities related to this process include authorizing the initiation, the project itself and the stages of the project. Another direction is offered as needed until project closure is authorized. 4. Controlling a Stage (CS) This is where the project manager assigns tasks, monitors that work deals with whatever issues arise and reports on its progress to the project board. Activities in this process include authorizing a work package with the team, reviewing its status and progress, and checking on its quality when complete. One must also review and compare progress to the project plan, capture any issues and risks and act to resolve them. 5. Managing Product Delivery (MP) This process manages the delivery of the project product, controlling the work between the project manager and the team. Activities associated with this process include accepting the work package, executing the work package and delivering the work package to make sure it’s complete. 6. Managing a Stage Boundary (SB) There are two parts to this process: firstly, the project manager provides the project board with an overview of performance, updates the project plan and business case, and creates a plan for the next stage. Secondly, the information provided by the project manager will help the project board review the current stage, approve the next and review the updated plan. Activities include planning the next stage and reporting on the stage end. 7. Closing a Project (CP) This process is about making sure the project achieves its goals and objectives by the deadline. Sometimes project managers prepare the planned closure and the premature closure, but that’s not required. Mandatory activities include handing over the product, evaluating the project and recommending its closure to the project board to officially close it out. /wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Project-Closure-Screenshot-450x368.jpgProject closure template Free download PRINCE2 Management Products PRINCE2 management products are documents created and maintained throughout the project lifecycle to support planning, control and communication. They help make sure that projects are well-organized, transparent and aligned with business objectives. These products are grouped into three categories: baseline management products, records and reports. PRINCE2 Baseline Management Products Baseline management products are established at the beginning of a project or stage and serve as a reference point for tracking progress and managing change. They define the scope, quality, cost and timeline, providing a benchmark against which project performance is measured. Business Case: The business case justifies the project’s existence by detailing the benefits, costs and risks. It ensures that the project remains aligned with strategic goals and provides value for money throughout its lifecycle. Project Brief: The project brief outlines the project’s purpose, objectives, scope and constraints. It provides an overview of the project and helps stakeholders understand the project’s goals and strategic alignment before detailed planning begins. Project Initiation Document (PID): The PID is the foundation of the project, detailing the project’s scope, objectives, governance structure, quality requirements, risks and controls. It serves as the main reference for project execution and decision-making. Benefits Review Plan: This document specifies how and when the project’s benefits will be measured and reviewed after completion. It ensures that the project’s outcomes deliver the anticipated value and supports long-term strategic objectives. PRINCE2 Records Records are dynamic documents that capture ongoing project information, helping project managers track events, issues and risks. They provide a historical account of the project, supporting decision making and lessons learned. Risk Register: The risk register documents potential threats and opportunities that could impact the project. It records risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and the status of each risk, enabling proactive risk management. Issue Register: This register tracks issues that arise during the project, such as changes, concerns or conflicts. It records the description, impact, decision and status of each issue to ensure proper resolution. Quality Register: The quality register tracks quality checks and reviews conducted throughout the project. It documents the planned and actual results, to make sure that deliverables meet predefined quality standards. Lessons Log: The lessons log captures experiences, successes and challenges encountered during the project. It helps the team learn from past activities and supports continuous improvement in future projects. Daily Log: The daily log is an informal diary maintained by the project manager to record day-to-day events, observations and decisions. It captures details that may not be included in formal reports but are relevant to project management. PRINCE2 Reports Reports provide regular updates to stakeholders, delivering transparent communication and informed decision making. They summarize project performance, progress and issues, supporting governance and control. Highlight Report: The highlight report provides the project board with regular updates on project status, progress, risks and issues. It highlights key achievements, upcoming activities and any exceptions or concerns. Checkpoint Report: This report is used by team managers to update the project manager on team-level progress and performance. It tracks the status of assigned tasks and identifies any challenges or risks. End Stage Report: The end stage report is prepared at the end of each project stage, summarizing the stage’s achievements, performance against the plan and lessons learned. It helps the project board decide on proceeding to the next stage. End Project Report: The end project report provides a comprehensive summary of the project, including performance against the baseline, achieved benefits and lessons learned. It evaluates the project’s success and informs future initiatives. PRINCE2 Certification PRINCE2 has a course of study that leads to a certification in the methodology. The course requires the user to take the training with an accredited training organization and then pass an exam. It can be done in person or online. There are four levels of certification in the PRINCE2 project management methodology: PRINCE2 2017 Foundation PRINCE2 2017 Practitioner PRINCE2 Agile Foundation PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Prices for the certification course and exam range from $550 to around $1,000 USD, depending on which level and certified training organization you choose. PRINCE2 vs. PMP There are as many project management certification programs and it can be difficult to decide which ones you need as a professional project manager. Without a doubt, one of the most popular project management certifications it’s the project management professional (PMP) title awarded by the project management institute (PMI). So which project management certification it’s best for you? Basically, these certifications differ in that they offer two different project management frameworks. PMP requires proficiency in the PMBOK Guide to Project Management Book of Knowledge, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI), while PRINCE2 requires knowledge of all the principles, aspects and processes. Therefore, research both project management methodologies and see which is the best fit for you. Some industries prefer one framework over the other. PRINCE2 is more used in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, while PMP is used more in the United States, Canada and the Middle East. How ProjectManager Helps Implement the PRINCE2 Methodology PRINCE2 is a project management methodology to manage projects and bring them in on time, within budget and with a quality deliverable. Whether you use PRINCE2 or a more agile framework to run your project, the goals are the same. It doesn’t matter how you do it, using ProjectManager helps you do it better. Real-Time Updates for Better Tracking Our project management software is cloud-based, which means that when statuses are updated that information is instantly reflected across the project management tool. Project managers can make data-driven decisions. There is a high-level view on the dashboard for tracking progress and reporting features to drill down into the data for a more granular look. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/portfolio-dashboard-screenshot-lightmode.png Multiple Project Views What if your team isn’t working in PRINCE2? Our software acts like a bridge linking traditional project management methodologies to more agile frameworks. For example, our kanban board view visualizes workflow and allows teams to build backlogs and manage sprints, even as project managers control the overall project by using PRINCE2. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kanban-task-card-moving-manufacturing-order-management-light-mode.png Control your project no matter how you manage it. ProjectManager has the flexibility to work with PRINCE2 or any method you prefer to run your project. Whether you use PRINCE2 or another methodology to manage your project, you’ll need tools to control the work through all of its stages. ProjectManager is online project management software that works with multiple project management methodologies. From its real-time dashboard to online Gantt charts, you hold the reins. See how it can help you by taking this free 30-day trial today! The post What Is PRINCE2? Principles, Aspects, Roles & Processes appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Appointment is latest shake-up at Swiss wealth manager hit by exposure to Rene Benko’s Signa property empireView the full article

Ukraine’s president finds himself squeezed between two big powersView the full article

Time is ticking to file your taxes before April 15, 2025. If you've already do so, congrats! Now you can kick back and await that refund, right? Sure—but your relief will be short-lived. Once tax season rolls around next year, you'll again find yourself frantically searching for receipts, statements, and other documentation needed to file an accurate return. Instead of accepting the annual scramble, you can get ahead of the game by using a spreadsheet to track all your tax-related information throughout the year. And there's no better time to start than right now—when your tax knowledge is fresh as can be—to make your spreadsheet and start logging things away for next April. Make your own spreadsheet—or download this template I've created a basic template to get you started here. And I mean basic—this is for people who essentially just want to convert their Form 1040s into a spreadsheet, so all your yearly info is one accessible, editable location. I've included different tabs depending on what you want to track and just how thoroughly you want to track it. For instance, the first tab is a simple table that turns different lines on your Form 1040 into rows of data—making the information easily accessible from year to year. Another tab allows you to clearly list out your income and deductions throughout the year. I've even included a tab dedicated to home office expenses, if that applies to you. There might be some redundancies or glaring omissions based on your personal situation, so I urge you to take what I've given you and run wild with it. It's different strokes for different folks, and different spreadsheets for different...freaks. (It's a slant rhyme.) Basics to include on your tax spreadsheetYou can expand on the template above, or start from scratch—whatever allows you to get the most out this system. Give it a clear name like "2025 Tax Records" so you can easily reference it later. Remember, the goal is to have a single file where you can input and update information and keep everything centralized. To get started with a barebones tax tracking spreadsheet, create separate sections or tabs for different categories of tax information. At minimum, you'll want sections for: Income. This will track income from jobs, self-employment, investments, retirement distributions, etc. Deductions. List out anything you plan to itemize or claim as a deduction, such as mortgage interest, charitable giving, medical expenses, etc. Tax credits. Track estimated expenses that may qualify for a tax credit, like education costs, childcare, etc. Prior year tax documents. Keep a record of last year's tax return details and any carryover items. How to use your tax spreadsheetWithin each section, create rows and columns to track the details you need for tax time. For example, under Income you may want columns for: Date earned Income source/employer Amount earned Tax withholdings For deductions, you may have columns like: Date paid Expense category (medical, mortgage interest, charity, etc.) Amount Make updating your information a habitAs you earn income throughout the year, be diligent about entering the details into your income section right away, while it's all still fresh. Do the same with potential deductions as you incur those expenses. You can update your spreadsheet weekly, monthly, or whenever is convenient, as long as you stick to a routine. Keep digital copies of all your documentsAny time you receive tax documentation—like W2s, 1099s, donation receipts or mortgage interest statements— save digital copies and attach or link them within your spreadsheet file. This creates a handy archive of all your tax records in one spot. Using a spreadsheet to meticulously track your tax information throughout the year will save you the inevitable time and stress of having to reconstruct it all at the last minute. While staying organized requires diligence, that small effort goes a long way when tax season arrives. Your future self will appreciate having these detailed records ready to go. From the most thorough travel plans, to excruciatingly detailed journals, to elaborate to-do lists: If you have a goal, that goal needs a spreadsheet. View the full article

It is not hard to imagine that the US president and his deputy were spoiling for a fight with the Ukrainian leaderView the full article

US president says Ukrainian leader is ‘gambling with world war three’View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Sonos brand is well known in the smart speaker and surround sound space. And very much like Apple, people will pay a premium price for their minimalistic, premium quality, and discounts are often hard to come by. But today, the Sonos Arc, which was Sono's flagship soundbar prior to the launch of the Sonos Arc Ultra, is $649, $250 off its usual $899 price. It's also a new low price for this model, according to price-tracking tools. Maximum Output Power: 110 Watts, Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi, Audio Output Mode: Surround Mount. Sonos Arc Soundbar $649.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $899.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $649.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $899.00 Save $250.00 Maximum Output Power: 110 Watts, Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi, Audio Output Mode: Surround Mount. Sonos Arc Soundbar $649.00 at Best Buy $899.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $649.00 at Best Buy $899.00 Save $250.00 SEE -1 MORE Sonos speakers are not for everyone, if only because you'll have to justify paying around two grand for a complete surround sound system when you can get a setup like the Samsung Q990C for about half the price. But audiophiles swear they can hear the difference, so the cost might be worth it to you. If you pick up this soundbar, you'll want to consider the Sonos 300 rear speakers and the Gen 4 subwoofer to go with it—they're the latest Sonos has to offer, though you can choose Eras 100 or an older or smaller subwoofer to lower the price tag. As for the Arc, it offers Dolby Atmos, providing immersive three-dimensional sound with height channels that simulate audio coming from above you (you can read the details in PCMag's "excellent" review). It offers enough of a low-end kick that you don't really need a subwoofer if you have a small space. If you already own other Sonos speakers, you can seamlessly connect them through the Sonos app to create a surround sound setup or a multi-room system. View the full article

The Globeville, Elyria-Swansea and Commerce City communities in metro Denver are choked by air pollution from nearby highways, an oil refinery and a Superfund site. While these neighborhoods have long suffered from air pollution, they’re not the only ones in Colorado. Now, Colorado is taking a major step to protect people from air pollutants that cause cancer or other major health problems, called “air toxics.” For the first time, the state is developing its own state-level air toxic health standards. In January 2025 as “priority” chemicals: benzene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium compounds and hydrogen sulfide. The state is in the process of setting health-based standards that will limit the amount of each chemical allowed in the air. Importantly, the standards will be designed to protect people exposed to the chemicals long term, such as those living near emission sources. Exposure to even low amounts of some chemicals, such as benzene, may lead to cancer. As a researcher studying chemical exposure and health, I measure and evaluate the impact of air pollution on people’s well-being. Colorado’s new regulations will draw on expert knowledge and community input to protect people’s health. Communities know what needs regulation In your own community, is there a highway that runs near your house or a factory with a bad odor? Maybe a gas station right around the corner? You likely already know many of the places that release air pollution near you. When state or local regulators work with community members to find out what air pollution sources communities are worried about, the partnership can lead to a system that better serves the public and reduces injustice. For example, partnerships between community advocates, scientists and regulators in heavily polluted and marginalized neighborhoods in New York and Boston have had big benefits. These partnerships resulted in both better scientific knowledge about how air pollution is connected to asthma and the placement of air monitors in neighborhoods impacted the most. In Colorado, the process to choose the five priority air toxics included consulting with multiple stakeholders. A technical working group provided input on which five chemicals should be prioritized from the larger list of 477 toxic air contaminants. The working group includes academics, members of nongovernmental organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund – local government and regulated industries, such as the American Petroleum Institute. There were also opportunities for community participation during public meetings. At public hearings, community groups like GreenLatinos argued that air toxics because it can cause cancer. Additionally, formaldehyde is emitted in some Colorado communities that are predominantly people of color, according to advocates for those communities. These communities are already disproportionately impacted by high rates of respiratory disease and cancer. Other members of the community also weighed in. “One of my patients is a 16-year-old boy who tried to get a summer job working outside, but had to quit because air pollution made his asthma so bad that he could barely breathe,” wrote Logan Harper, a Denver-area family physician and advocate for Healthy Air and Water Colorado. How is air quality protected? At the national level, the Clean Air Act requires that six common air pollutants, such as ozone and carbon monoxide, are kept below specific levels. The act also regulates 188 hazardous air pollutants. Individual states are free to develop their own regulations, and several, including California and Minnesota, already have. States can set standards that are more health-protective than those in place nationally. Four of the five chemicals prioritized by Colorado are regulated federally. The fifth chemical, hydrogen sulfide, is not included on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous air pollutant list, but Colorado has decided to regulate it as an air toxic. State-level regulation is important because states can focus on air toxics specific to their state to make sure that the communities most exposed to air pollution are protected. One way to do this is to place air pollution monitors in the communities experiencing the worst air pollution. For example, Colorado is placing six new air quality monitors in locations around the state to measure concentrations of the five priority air toxics. It will also use an existing monitor in Grand Junction to measure air toxics. Two of the new monitors, located in Commerce City and La Salle, began operating in January 2024. The remainder will start monitoring the air by July 2025. When Colorado chose the sites, it prioritized communities that are overly impacted by social and environmental hazards. To do this, officials used indexes like the Colorado EnviroScreen, which combines information about pollution, health and economic factors to identify communities that are overly burdened by hazards. The Commerce City monitor is located in Adams City, a neighborhood that has some of the worst pollution in the state. The site has air toxics emissions that are worse than 95% of communities in Colorado. Air toxics and health The five air toxics that Colorado selected all have negative impacts on health. Four are known to cause cancer. Benzene, perhaps the most well known because of its ability to cause blood cancer, is one. But it also has a number of other health impacts, including dampening the ability of the immune system and impacting the reproductive system by decreasing sperm count. Benzene is in combustion-powered vehicle exhaust and is emitted during oil and gas production and refinement. Ethylene oxide can cause cancer and irritates the nervous and respiratory systems. Symptoms of long-term exposure can include headaches, sore throat, shortness of breath and others. Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize medical equipment, and as of 2024, it was used by four facilities in Colorado. Formaldehyde is also a cancer-causing agent, and exposure is associated with asthma in children. This air toxic is used in the manufacture of a number of products like household cleaners and building materials. It is also emitted by oil and gas sources, including during fracking. Hexavalent chromium compounds can cause several types of cancer, as well as skin and lung diseases such as asthma and rhinitis. A major source of hexavalent chromium is coal-fired power plants, of which Colorado currently has six in operation, though these plants are scheduled to close in the next five years. Other sources of hexavalent chromium include chemical and other manufacturing. Finally, long-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide can cause low blood pressure, headaches and a range of other symptoms, and has been associated with neurological impacts such as psychological disorders. Some sources of hydrogen sulfide include oil refineries and wastewater treatment plants. Jenni Shearston is an assistant professor of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

Tariff and layoff worries are leading some to reconsider pending deals, but a surplus of existing homes now has other buyers backing out as well, Redfin said. View the full article

When you’re self-employed, you’ve built a life around independence. You set your own schedule, choose your own clients, and take control of your financial future. But have you thought about protecting that future for the people who rely on you? Life insurance may not be the first thing on your mind when managing your freelance business, but it should be. If you have loved ones who depend on your income—whether it’s a partner, children, or even aging parents—life insurance ensures that they’re financially secure if something happens to you. Why self-employed workers should prioritize life insuranceUnlike traditional employees, freelancers don’t have the safety net of employer-sponsored life insurance. That means it’s up to you to put coverage in place that protects your family and assets. Here’s why it’s a smart move: Protect Your Loved Ones: If you were to pass away unexpectedly, your family would lose not just you, but also the income that supports them. Life insurance ensures that your family can maintain financial stability in your absence and helps cover expenses like rent or mortgage payments, childcare, daily expenses, and more.Cover Outstanding Debts: Do you have a mortgage, student loans, or credit card debt? If you pass away before these are paid off, your next of kin could become responsible for them. A life insurance policy can help prevent your loved ones from inheriting your financial burdens.Have Peace of Mind: Knowing that your loved ones are protected allows you to focus on growing your business and enjoying life, rather than worrying about “what if” scenarios.Choosing the Right Policy: Term vs. Whole Life InsuranceWhen considering life insurance, you’ll typically choose between term life insurance and whole life insurance. Whole life insurance covers you for your entire lifetime and builds cash value over time, but it comes with higher premiums.Term life insurance, which Freelancers Union offers, provides coverage for a set period and is generally more affordable, making it a great option for freelancers looking to keep costs down.For most self-employed workers, term life insurance is a cost-effective way to ensure financial protection during key earning years. How Much Coverage Do You Need?Determining the right coverage amount depends on several factors, including your income, debts, and dependents. You’ll need to decide how much “death benefit” your family needs. As you might suspect, your premium depends on how much “death benefit” your family will receive. So if you’re looking to leave $50,000 behind to cover taxes or a funeral, your premium will be a lot less than a $1 million policy intended to support your dependents for several years. A common rule of thumb is: Multiply your annual income by 10 to determine a basic coverage amount.If you have children, add $100,000 per child to help cover future education and living expenses.Factor in any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage or business loans, to ensure those costs are covered.Consider how long you’ll need coverage—if your children are young, you may need a longer term than someone whose kids are in college.How to get Affordable CoverageGetting life insurance might seem complicated, but we’re here to make it simple and affordable for you. As a Freelancers Union member, you get access to group coverage under Guardian’s term life insurance policy, a flexible, easy-to-use plan tailor made for freelancers. With term life insurance options tailored for independent workers, you can get the coverage you need without the hassle of employer restrictions. First, you’ll want to check out our website to view the premium rates for each policy amount in relation to your age, sex, and smoking status. View our rates here. Once you’ve determined the plan you want, you can start the application process. The application for term life insurance will list Freelancers Union Inc. as your employer, but don’t worry - this will not affect your taxes or impact your status as an independent contractor. You’ll be asked about the coverage amount that you want, and if you want to add coverage for your spouse and/or dependents. Plus, with our group plan, an evaluation of your medical history may not be required for policies up to $100k. However, you will be asked a few questions about your health, including whether or not you use tobacco, if you’ve received medical care for certain illnesses (including but not limited to Cancer, Diabetes, & more), and if you or your dependents have ever been diagnosed or treated for AIDS. Have any questions about the application process? Reach out to our team at membership@freelancersunion.org and we’ll be happy to help! Don’t Wait—Protect Your Future TodayFreelancers often think about health insurance, retirement savings, and business expenses—but life insurance is just as crucial. It’s not about you; it’s about protecting the people you love. It’s a simple step that can make a world of difference for those you love. Apply for coverage today: https://freelancersunion.org/insurance/term-life-insurance/ View the full article

When you’re self-employed, you’ve built a life around independence. You set your own schedule, choose your own clients, and take control of your financial future. But have you thought about protecting that future for the people who rely on you? Life insurance may not be the first thing on your mind when managing your freelance business, but it should be. If you have loved ones who depend on your income—whether it’s a partner, children, or even aging parents—life insurance ensures that they’re financially secure if something happens to you. Why self-employed workers should prioritize life insuranceUnlike traditional employees, freelancers don’t have the safety net of employer-sponsored life insurance. That means it’s up to you to put coverage in place that protects your family and assets. Here’s why it’s a smart move: Protect Your Loved Ones: If you were to pass away unexpectedly, your family would lose not just you, but also the income that supports them. Life insurance ensures that your family can maintain financial stability in your absence and helps cover expenses like rent or mortgage payments, childcare, daily expenses, and more.Cover Outstanding Debts: Do you have a mortgage, student loans, or credit card debt? If you pass away before these are paid off, your next of kin could become responsible for them. A life insurance policy can help prevent your loved ones from inheriting your financial burdens.Have Peace of Mind: Knowing that your loved ones are protected allows you to focus on growing your business and enjoying life, rather than worrying about “what if” scenarios.Choosing the Right Policy: Term vs. Whole Life InsuranceWhen considering life insurance, you’ll typically choose between term life insurance and whole life insurance. Whole life insurance covers you for your entire lifetime and builds cash value over time, but it comes with higher premiums.Term life insurance, which Freelancers Union offers, provides coverage for a set period and is generally more affordable, making it a great option for freelancers looking to keep costs down.For most self-employed workers, term life insurance is a cost-effective way to ensure financial protection during key earning years. How Much Coverage Do You Need?Determining the right coverage amount depends on several factors, including your income, debts, and dependents. You’ll need to decide how much “death benefit” your family needs. As you might suspect, your premium depends on how much “death benefit” your family will receive. So if you’re looking to leave $50,000 behind to cover taxes or a funeral, your premium will be a lot less than a $1 million policy intended to support your dependents for several years. A common rule of thumb is: Multiply your annual income by 10 to determine a basic coverage amount.If you have children, add $100,000 per child to help cover future education and living expenses.Factor in any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage or business loans, to ensure those costs are covered.Consider how long you’ll need coverage—if your children are young, you may need a longer term than someone whose kids are in college.How to get Affordable CoverageGetting life insurance might seem complicated, but we’re here to make it simple and affordable for you. As a Freelancers Union member, you get access to group coverage under Guardian’s term life insurance policy, a flexible, easy-to-use plan tailor made for freelancers. With term life insurance options tailored for independent workers, you can get the coverage you need without the hassle of employer restrictions. First, you’ll want to check out our website to view the premium rates for each policy amount in relation to your age, sex, and smoking status. View our rates here. Once you’ve determined the plan you want, you can start the application process. The application for term life insurance will list Freelancers Union Inc. as your employer, but don’t worry - this will not affect your taxes or impact your status as an independent contractor. You’ll be asked about the coverage amount that you want, and if you want to add coverage for your spouse and/or dependents. Plus, with our group plan, an evaluation of your medical history may not be required for policies up to $100k. However, you will be asked a few questions about your health, including whether or not you use tobacco, if you’ve received medical care for certain illnesses (including but not limited to Cancer, Diabetes, & more), and if you or your dependents have ever been diagnosed or treated for AIDS. Have any questions about the application process? Reach out to our team at membership@freelancersunion.org and we’ll be happy to help! Don’t Wait—Protect Your Future TodayFreelancers often think about health insurance, retirement savings, and business expenses—but life insurance is just as crucial. It’s not about you; it’s about protecting the people you love. It’s a simple step that can make a world of difference for those you love. Apply for coverage today: https://freelancersunion.org/insurance/term-life-insurance/ View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A lot of folks want to upgrade their homes with a remodel, renovation, or smaller project. But cost is always a factor (and a barrier)—the average renovation cost for a house is over $50,000. Those costs drive a lot of folks to watch way too many home improvement shows and attempt do-it-yourself transformations, but those kinds of DIY projects require money, too—not to mention some basic skills and at least a few tools. If you’re not someone who’s comfortable swinging a hammer or plugging in a power drill—or someone who doesn’t even own a hammer or a power drill—the idea of upgrading your house might seem impossible unless you’ve got that spare 50 grand. But there are numerous ways you can upgrade your house without the need for any tools whatsoever. Towel racksIf your bathroom or kitchen needs a place to hang towels and you don’t trust yourself to drill holes, hammer in screw anchors, and drive some screws home, you don’t have to: You can pick up some Command towel racks for both hand towels and bath towels. As you can see in this video, they pop on your walls using the same Command strips you find for hooks and other products (these are water-resistant for obvious reasons). While using a level might make this installation a little easier, you can actually download a bubble level app for your phone that will work in a pinch, or just eyeball it—the good news is that your towel rack will be relatively easy to remove and reset if you mess it up. LightingThere are a lot of options for upgrading the lighting situation in your house that don’t require any wiring, cutting, or wall opening. Lights like these rechargeable LED lights have magnets built in so you can slap them onto metal surfaces for instant, no-tool installation, as well as an adhesive backing so you can attach them under wood cabinets or onto walls. They’re motion-activated, so they can act as nightlights, closet lights, or kitchen work lights. And these stick-on lights are programmable and come with a remote control to make your kitchen feel truly futuristic. You can also find ceiling lights like this one that adhere to the ceiling without any tools, giving you the ability to add an overhead light to any room without hiring an electrician or drilling into your ceiling. Floating shelvesNeed some shelving for light storage? The High & Mighty shelf requires no tools and can hold up to 20 pounds of stuff (there’s also a 25-pound version). It even supplies its own level as part of the installation packaging, so all you have to do is stick the guide to the wall, push the brackets in using just your muscles, and hang the shelf. It’s a super easy way to add some attractive storage to your walls without drilling 1,000 holes. Grout pensIs the grout in your shower or kitchen backsplash looking a little dirty? You don’t need a grout saw, float, or even a stiff brush to clean it up or replace it. If the grout’s still in good physical shape, you can brighten it up in no time with a grout pen like this. You can find grout markers in a variety of colors, so you can clean up or transform just about any grout line in your house sans tools. Check the directions before you buy, though—some grout markers only work on unsealed grout, so if your grout has been sealed they may not work properly. Peel-and-stick everythingPeel-and-stick stuff has come a long way, and are a powerful way to reinvent any space without the need for tools or extensive renovations. Technically they’re not entirely tool-free, as you will probably need a pair of scissors to size these materials to your space, but since most people possess and know how to use a pair of scissors, I'm allowing it. Wallpaper is the easiest way to cover up an unattractive wall or just change the look and feel of it. Products like this one are also easily removed, so they’re ideal for rentals or for folks who change their minds a lot—and they can be applied and smoothed using just your hands. Floor stickers and tiles can upgrade your floors pretty easily. They can be installed on top of just about any flooring (including existing tile), so you don’t need to do any demolition—just cut as needed, peel, and stick. And these tiles come in a wide variety of styles, from faux wood to porcelain to natural stone. Another option to consider is tile stickers/decals, which are designed to be pasted on top of existing tile to give it a fresh new look. They can be cut to size, and then simply paste over your existing floor or backsplash (you can see it done here). Window treatmentsIf you want to add some window treatments without drilling and screwing, it’s pretty easy with shades that use a tension system—you simply insert the rod inside the window opening and let the pressure hold it in place. You can add roller shades, Roman shades, and even heavy curtains to your windows in a snap without any tools required. Faux headboardIf you feel like your bedroom could use a little upgraded classiness, you might think that adding a headboard must require some woodworking and wall attachment—but it doesn’t have to. You can create an illusory headboard on the wall behind your bed by sticking stuff to it. If you have spare wood paneling lying around, grab some Command strips and hang them on the wall. You can also use vinyl peel-and-stick tiles, or literally anything that can be arranged artfully on the wall to create the outline of a headboard without getting any drywall dust on your bed. View the full article

Eighty-four Indonesians freed from scam centers in Myanmar were set to return home Friday as the repatriation of thousands of such workers after a crackdown strains regional resources. The Indonesians were among more than 7,000 people being held in the Myanmar border town Myawaddy following a crackdown on the scam centers by Thailand, Myanmar and China. Two buses carrying the Indonesians arrived Thursday in the Thai border city of Mae Sot, where the passengers had health checks and their identities were verified. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been lured to work in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos to commit global scams through false romances, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes. Many of the workers were recruited under false pretenses, only to find themselves trapped in virtual slavery. The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said the 84 Indonesians, which included 69 men and 15 women, were healthy and will fly to Jakarta on three commercial flights Friday. The ministry had said last week as many as 270 Indonesians were stranded in Myanmar after leaving the scam centers, but it was not clear why only 84 were being repatriated. Judha Nugraha, director of Indonesian citizen protection at the ministry, has said that approximately 6,800 Indonesians have fallen victim to illegal job scams, ending up in online gambling operations or bogus investment schemes in Myanmar and several other countries over the past few years. The crackdown on the scam centers in Myanmar followed a meeting in Beijing in early February between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chinese leader Xi Jinping where she said Thailand would crack down on the scam networks. Thailand has cut off electricity, internet and gas supplies to several areas in Myanmar hosting scam centers along the border. More than 600 Chinese nationals were repatriated last week. Earlier, some 260 people from 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Brazil and the Philippines, crossed from Myanmar into Thai custody. Many have returned home but more than 100 remain in Thailand awaiting repatriation, Thai officials said. The size and scale of the repatriation effort is straining Thai government resources and leading to delays for those waiting to go home. Officials from Thailand, Myanmar and China were expected to meet Friday to address the logistics of the crackdown as concerns grow about a possible humanitarian crisis along the border. Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report. —Jintamas Saksornchai, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Oura, the smart ring, is finally taking menstrual cycle data into account when assigning readiness scores—a feature whose absence has baffled users for years. The ring’s app was notorious for assigning lower-than-expected scores during the luteal phase of users’ cycles, but that is changing thanks to an update to the Readiness score algorithm that Oura announced this week. If you don’t have a menstrual cycle, or if you have one but don’t track it, you probably won’t notice anything different about your Readiness scores. But this update is a big deal for anyone who uses Cycle Insights, the feature of the Oura app that uses temperature data to keep track of ovulation, menstruation, fertile window, and follicular and luteal phases. Why many users had incorrect readiness scoresTo explain why this was an issue, I’m going to zoom out and give a quick biology lesson. The monthly cycle that’s sometimes called a menstrual cycle isn’t just about menstruation, i.e., the bleeding that lasts a week or less. Instead, the cycle is a phenomenon that lasts all month, with distinct phases in the first and second halves of the month. To be clear, this cycle doesn’t happen in everyone. It’s specifically a phenomenon that occurs in people who have a regular period and are not taking hormonal birth control. If you fall into this category, you can use the Cycle Insights feature of the Oura app to track when you are in the first half of your cycle (the follicular phase) versus the second half (the luteal phase). (An important aside: Every time I write about menstruation or hormonal cycles, I get someone writing in to tell me that “women” and “people who menstruate” are synonyms. Let’s just take a minute to discuss the fact that they are not. Not only can we acknowledge the existence of trans folks, non-binary people, and a strange species of human known as “girls,” it’s worth remembering that a significant percentage of women do not have a cycle! This includes women who are past menopause, and women who use hormonal birth control.) When your cycle starts on day one of your period, you’re in what’s called the follicular phase, as an ovarian follicle (which will produce an egg cell) develops over the course of about two weeks. Midway through the month—day 14 in a textbook cycle—that follicle releases the egg, ending the follicular phase. The releasing of the egg is called ovulation. At this point, the body’s temperature ticks up by about half a degree. It will stay at this slightly elevated temperature for the rest of the cycle, and the Oura ring can detect the change in temperature. The empty follicle stays behind in the ovary, secreting hormones, and becomes the corpus luteum, Latin for “yellow thing.” (Scientists are so creative.) In its honor, the second half of the cycle is called the luteal phase. Temperature isn’t the only difference between the follicular and luteal phases; all kinds of hormonal and biological phenomena are happening throughout the month, some of which have catchy names like “period flu,” but that’s a discussion for another time. What’s changing in the Oura algorithmAs Oura points out in their announcement about the change, the luteal phase tends to have a few detectable differences from the follicular phase (from the ring’s point of view): Skin temperature increases Respiratory rate increases Resting heart rate increases Heart rate variability (HRV) decreases All of these are things that, if they weren’t associated with the menstrual cycle, would indicate that a person is under stress or maybe getting sick. And so the algorithm (at least sometimes) processes this data as dings to your Readiness. Forums that discuss the Oura ring are full of threads with titles like “PSA to Oura: luteal phase is not a sickness” and “Anyone else get terrible readiness during luteal phase?” (according to the comments: yes). With that in mind, Oura is finally taking your cycle phase into account when calculating Readiness scores. They predict that 35% of users who track a menstrual cycle will no longer get “disproportionately negative” readiness scores in the luteal phase. They expect that scores will be four to five points higher for those people, and that there will be 81% fewer days with too-low scores. How to get the updated readiness scoresTo benefit from the new algorithm, you’ll need to be using the Cycle Insights feature. This requires you to input the dates that your periods start, and it detects temperature changes to determine when you are in the luteal phase. To turn on Cycle Insights, tap the menu icon in the app, then Settings, and then Women’s Health. There is a switch to turn on Cycle Insights, and below that you can enter some background information: whether you use hormonal contraception, how long your typical cycle lasts. So, yes, this means that the app will need to keep track of when you have your period and when you’re ovulating. If that makes you uncomfortable in the current political climate, I don’t blame you—but you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth it to get that slightly more accurate data. Oura has a blog post on their approach to reproductive data privacy, noting that they are subject to GDPR regulations (since they are based in Finland) and that they plan to fight any requests for data from legal authorities. The support page for Cycle Insights includes instructions for deleting your cycle data from the app, which you can do at any time. View the full article

Liberal nationalists must respond with imagination to US policies rather than gripe at being cut out of Ukraine talksView the full article

It’s official: Skype is dead. The long-lived (by internet standards) voice-over-internet app has been put out to pasture by parent company Microsoft. Though Skype was once considered the way to call someone online, it's now going the way of Google Hangouts and dozens of other trendsetting apps before it. Come May 5, it’ll officially be replaced by Microsoft Teams. It’s truly the end of an era. Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became synonymous with video calls online, with “skype-ing” entering the lexicon as its own verb. It has supported countless long distance relationships, podcasts recording sessions, and remote D&D games, but after being supplanted by apps like Zoom during the pandemic, it seems Microsoft has decided it’s finally time to go. Users will be prompted to transition to Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft is doing its best to make the transition seamless, and “over the coming days,” will roll out the ability for Skype users to sign into a Microsoft Teams account and immediately import their Skype chats, contacts, photos, and call history. Users who wish to move on from Skype will also be able to export their data to download locally, and Microsoft tells The Verge that it’s also made a tool that will allow users to view their Skype chat history after the shutdown. The company also says that Skype and Teams will be interoperable from now until the shutdown, so if you migrate to Teams and then message one of your old Skype contacts, they’ll still see your message on Skype. No more Skype callsHowever, one big part of Skype will go away once Teams officially supplants it—phone calls. While Microsoft says it will honor existing Skype credits and subscriptions, it’s not going to support paid Skype features beyond that—and existing subscribers won’t be able to renew once their plans run out. To help customers as they use up their paid benefits, the Skype dial pad will be available within the Skype web portal and within Teams after the shutdown. The choice to sunset Skype follows a move in December that saw Microsoft phasing out new Skype Credit sales as well as the Skype Number feature, which allowed users to use Skype to answer calls and send texts from a standard phone number. In retrospect, it seems the writing has been on the wall for a while. “We hope we’ll migrate most Skype users,” Microsoft’s Jeff Tepper told The Verge, “...but we want to make sure the users know they’re in control.” To that end, while Teams is definitely a viable choice for personal use despite its more business-oriented name, you might find yourself preferring one of its competitors. From our friends at PCMag, here are some of best free video calling apps to consider migrating to once the Skype shutdown arrives. View the full article

Even solos can provide it. Here’s how. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article