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Here’s everything you need to know about setting up an integration between Smartsheet sheets and Azure DevOps projects with an automated 2-way sync using Unito. Since Unito is a simple, no-code platform, you don’t need a technical background to set up your first secure integration without troubleshooting scripts or consulting third-party experts. Here’s how it works. This integration from Unito has two goals: Automatically create new work items in Azure DevOps to match Smartsheet rows and vice versa. Set up a live, 2-way sync between both tools so everyone can get visibility on development work in real-time without having to manually copy information back and forth — or book another meeting. In this article: Why sync Smartsheet and Azure DevOps? Step 1. Connect Smartsheet and Azure DevOps to Unito Step 2. Choose a flow direction for new tasks and work items Step 3. Set rules to exclude tasks or items from syncing Step 4. Configure Smartsheet and Azure DevOps fields Step 5. Launch your Smartsheet-Azure DevOps integration Why sync Smartsheet and Azure DevOps? Azure DevOps is a favorite of software development teams for keeping their essential work organized while moving quickly and breaking things. But the interface, technical features, and aspects of ADO don’t make it as suited for other kinds of work. That’s why few organizations use ADO as their base of operations for workflows outside of these technical teams. Smartsheet is a popular option for this, because of its advanced reporting features, flexibility, and ease-of-use. Keeping technical and non-technical teams in sync While product, IT, and software development teams might use different tools, they still need to collaborate with less-technical teams. Think of support tickets that need to be escalated to a developer, support documentation that needs input from the support team, or even marketing initiatives that rely on product updates in ADO. With an integration powered by Unito, you can bring these teams together by syncing data back and forth, aligning them without any copying and pasting of information. Enhanced oversight and visibility in real-time Product and software development workflows can have a large impact on your bottom line. But for too many organizations, visibility on these workflows is severely lacking. This is often caused by too many intermediary steps between the actual work and the stakeholders who need visibility on it. With a smooth integration between Azure DevOps and Smartsheet, you can eliminate these steps and bring a live view on that work to the people who need it. Automated reporting Many organizations still use spreadsheets as their primary reporting tools, either built and updated manually or relying on fragile, intricate automation chains. With a Unito integration, you can leverage Smartsheet’s strong reporting features and feed them with data from ADO. Go beyond just getting visibility on development work and create dedicated reports to track your organization’s important product goals. Step 1. Connect Azure DevOps and Smartsheet to Unito Sign up for Unito if you haven’t already! Navigate to the Unito App and click +Create Flow. Click Start Here to connect Azure DevOps and Smartsheet. Then click +Choose account for each tool and complete the authorization process. Click Confirm. When you’re ready, click Confirm. First time connecting tools to Unito and need extra help? Check out this guide. Authorizing ADO to sync with Before you sync any data, you may want to create a new Smartsheet sheet to serve as a workspace for anything you’ll sync from Azure DevOps. In ADO, make sure Third-party application access via OAuth is on. To adjust this setting, go to Organization Settings in Azure DevOps and click on Policies. Then, make sure the toggle for Third-party application access via OAuth is turned on. Without this, you won’t be able to connect Azure DevOps to Unito. Step 2. Choose flow direction for new work items When you create new Smartsheet rows or ADO work items, Unito creates synced versions in the other tool automatically. Flow direction tells Unito where to do that, according to one of these three settings: 2-way, which creates new Smartsheet rows and ADO work items to match items created in either tool. 1-way from Smartsheet to ADO, which creates new ADO work items to match Smartsheet rows you create manually. Creating ADO items manually won’t create new Smartsheet rows. 1-way from ADO to Smartsheet, which creates new Smartsheet rows to match ADO work items you create manually. Creating Smartsheet rows manually won’t create new ADO work items. Note that this only affects the creation of new work items, not the direction of updates for individual fields (e.g. due dates, versions, assignees). Even if you create a 1-way flow, you can tailor flow direction of individual fields in the last few steps of this guide. Step 3. Set rules to sync specific Smartsheet rows and ADO work items Think of rules like filters that allow you to tailor Unito flows so only some work items get synced between Smartsheet and ADO. For example, you could decide to filter out Smartsheet rows with a specific option selected in a dropdown, or ADO issues with a specific assignee. To start creating a rule, click Add a new rule. From there you can choose what will trigger that rule and what happens when it’s triggered. First time setting up a rule? Check out our full guide to rules here. Step 4. Map fields between Smartsheet and ADO Next, you can set individual relationships between rows and work items. Most fields can be assigned their own update direction to determine how real-time updates occur. In most situations, Unito can map your fields automatically, and you’ll be asked if you want to do that or map your fields from scratch. How to manually add field mappings in Unito Click +Add mapping to add new pairs of fields. Click Select a field for each tool, and pick the field you want to map. A blue question mark icon indicates a custom field created in that tool. Most fields are automatically mapped for two-way updates, but you can still adjust them as needed. With a one-way sync between fields, only the destination field will update automatically. Fields with cog icons can be customized further (e.g. linking specific labels between apps). Step 5. Launch your flow That’s it! You’ve built your first flow and you’re ready to launch. Once you do, Unito will automatically sync ADO work items with Smartsheet rows, keeping all fields you mapped updated automatically. Any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team by clicking the chat bubble below! View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Cleaning can be overwhelming to everyone at some point—and creating a habit or schedule you'll actually stick to can be a big part of the problem. As is this case with other tasks like decluttering and organizing, though, one way to break through the procrastination is by finding the method that works best for you. Here are five of my favorites for you to try. The FlyLady technique, for stress-free cleaningThe FlyLady cleaning method, popularized by organizational guru Marla Cilley, is all about getting into a soothing, easy cleaning routine that won't stress you out. To tap into the usefulness of this method, break your home into "zones," then dedicate 15 minutes per day to the zone you're currently working on. Yes, this takes time and won't work immediately, but as Cilley puts it, "It didn't get dirty in a day, and it's not going to get clean overnight." Here's how the zones are broken up: Zone 1 is your entryway, front porch, and dining room. You complete this zone in the first week of the month. Zone 2 is the kitchen, which is done during the first full week of the month, meaning the first week in which there are seven full days. Zone 3 is the main bathroom plus another room in your house, such as an office or pantry. This happens during the second full week of the month. Zone 4 is the primary bedroom and its closets and bathroom during the third full week. Zone 5 is the living room, but because it is not a full week, it may overlap with Zone 1. It's likely that your living room is near your entryway, which helps make this seamless as you start incorporating Zone 1 back into your schedule at the end of the five weeks. Obviously, if your home is laid out differently or you have your own unique concerns, play with the zones to fit your needs but try to dedicate a week to each one and follow the same schedule every month. The one-hour method, for when you have a big messLargely, I am a proponent of cleaning in small chunks of time over the course of days or weeks. In most cases, 15 minutes per day is all you need to make an impact on your home's cleanliness over time. In fact, once you get into the habit of doing it like that, the house stays cleaner and requires less work, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of smaller cleaning bursts. Before you get to that point, though, you might have a major mess or two at hand and when that happens, you might need longer, which is why CleanTok influencer @MommyHasntShowered suggests the "one-hour" rule. It's what it sounds like: You clean for an uninterrupted hour, focusing only on tidying up, and then stop when the hour is done, rewarding yourself with something you enjoy, like ice cream or a favorite show. Using this one is subjective and probably depends on how urgent the situation is. If you have someone coming over or the mess is so large that it's taking a toll on your mental health, you may need to pull out this longer work session. If the mess is big but you'd rather tackle it bit by bit, this one's not for you! Bear in mind, though, that while going at a slower pace over days or weeks can be good for not feeling overwhelmed, getting a lot done in one go can be good for motivation. There are mental and emotional benefits to every approach. The trick is figuring out which one you want to tap into. The 20/10 approach, for when you're not motivatedThe 20/10 approach combines elements of my beloved daily short-burst schedule and the one-hour method. It comes from Rachel Hoffman’s 2017 book, Unf*ck Your Habitat: You’re Better Than Your Mess and simply asks you to clean for 20 minutes, then take a 10-minute break. It's reminiscent of the Pomodoro productivity technique, which encourages you to work for 25 minutes, then break for five, then get back at it—but here, you have less work time and more chill time. Once your 10 minutes are up, get back into the game, cleaning even more for another 20. Only do this two to four times, though, because again, we don't want to get overwhelmed. What I find most useful is taking the 10-minute break in the spot I just cleaned, so I can really revel in my outcome. If I cleaned my living room, I'm going take that break on the couch, enjoying my tidy surroundings. If I cleaned the kitchen, I'm gonna eat a snack over the counter, where everything is clean and clutter-free. Remember that you're not just cleaning to clean, but rather for some kind of benefit, which is more often than not just the freedom to enjoy a tidier, brighter space. The one-tool method, for when you need some structureIf you really don't know where to begin as you look to clean up for the day, try the one-tool method. This approach relies on some of the classic cleaning advice I love (like not trying to do everything at once) but turns it slightly on its head: Where you'd usually tackle one zone at a time, moving from area to area over the course of a few days, try tackling one task at at time. When using the "one tool" framework, you will be breaking one of my cardinal rules, which is not jumping from room to room during one day's scheduled cleaning time, but you'll be unlocking a completely new kind of efficiency by not having to get the same tools out day after day. Do this every few weeks to shake things up and you're less likely to get bored. So, on your first day, maybe you dust. On your second, maybe you vacuum. On your third, maybe you mop. You get the idea. Pick one tool or task and hit each room in your home. Junebugging, for when you can't focusSometimes, you know what needs to be cleaned, but you just can't focus on it. Tap into that and go with a method that enables you to mindlessly attack the problem without thinking too hard. The right approach here is the junebug method. There's a chance you've seen this demonstrated or at least mentioned on CleanTok, but the earliest reference to the idea actually came around on Tumblr, where a user explained that to clean up despite their ADHD, they imagined they were like a junebug: "Have you ever seen a junebug get to grips with a window screen? It’s remarkably persistent, but not very focused. All that matters is location." Here, you'll embody that, identifying the area you want to clean, then focusing in on one specific spot. So, if the kitchen needs tidying, focus on the sink. You might wash the dishes in it, put them away, then get distracted as you notice a cupboard needs to be wiped down. After you wipe down the cupboard, remind yourself that you're supposed to be at the sink; go back to it to scour it or give the faucet a wipe down. While you're doing that, you might notice you could also wipe down the handles and pulls on the drawers, fridge, and oven. Go do that, but always return to the starting point. This practice kind of lulls you into an easy routine. As long as you keep going back to the first spot and branching out, you'll move in simple circles and let what would normally distract you actually be your guide. View the full article

Amazon-owned Whole Foods is asking the National Labor Relations Board to set aside the results of a union election in which the first group of the company’s employees voted in favor of collective bargaining. In a filing submitted to the agency this week, attorneys for Whole Foods Market argued the union involved with the election, held last week at a store in Philadelphia, interfered in the process by promising employees a 30% wage increase if they unionized and providing free transportation to them the day of the vote. The company also accused The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union—which worked to unionize workers through a local chapter—of intimidating employees who supported Whole Foods. The company did not provide specific details on its allegations, which the union disputes. Pro-union workers prevailed last week after 130 employees in the store – or about 57% of the ballots cast—voted in favor of organizing. The election results still need be certified by a regional director of the NLRB, which Whole Foods says can’t lawfully be done since the agency currently does not have a third board member in Washington. Gynne A. Wilcox, one of the agency’s board members, was fired last week by the Trump administration. In a statement, UFCW Local 1776, the local union that pulled off the labor win, called the company’s allegations baseless. It also said the objections filed by Whole Foods was a legal maneuvering done to delay the bargaining process. “We fully expected Whole Foods to try to stall this process,” said Wendell Young IV, the president of the local union. “Amazon has a well-documented history of using baseless objections to undermine the rights of workers seeking representation, and this case is no different.” In its objection to the election, the upscale grocery chain also accused the NLRB of tainting the process by restraining the company from communicating its views on unionization to employees through required meetings held during work hours. In November, the agency’s board had issued a decision that found these meetings – commonly known as captive audience meetings – were unlawful because they forced employees to attend gatherings that they may otherwise choose to skip. Companies typically use these meetings to deter employees from unionizing. The board said employers may still hold meetings about unions for their workers. But they must make attendance voluntary with no adverse consequences for employees who fail to show up. The union election in Philadelphia marked the first successful entry of organized labor into Amazon’s grocery business, which includes Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and the Amazon Go convenience stores. Amazon, which purchased Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion, has tried to fend off organizing efforts by delivery drivers and warehouse workers. —Haleluya Hader, Associated Press View the full article

Amazon is set to release its long-awaited—and delayed—Alexa generative artificial intelligence voice service, said three people familiar with the matter, and has scheduled a press event for later this month to preview it. Once released, it would mark the most significant upgrade to the product since its initial introduction accelerated a wave of digital assistants more than a decade ago. Amazon on Wednesday sent press invites to an event to be held on February 26 in New York featuring the head of its devices and services team, Panos Panay. A spokesperson said the event is Alexa-focused, while declining to elaborate. The new generative AI-powered Alexa represents at once a huge opportunity for Amazon, which counts more than half a billion Alexa-enabled devices in the market, and a tremendous risk. Amazon is hoping the revamp, designed to be able to converse with users, can convert some of its hundreds of millions of users into paying customers in an effort to generate a return for the unprofitable business. The AI service will be able to respond to multiple prompts in sequence and, company executives have said, even act as an “agent” on behalf of users by taking actions for them without their direct involvement. That contrasts with the current iteration, which generally handles only a single request at a time. Executives have scheduled a meeting, known as a “Go/No-go,” for February 14. There they will make a final decision on the “street readiness” of Alexa’s generative AI revamp, according to the people and an internal planning document seen by Reuters. Alexa’s revamp carries with it all the challenges inherent in now-familiar generative AI chatbots from OpenAI, Alphabet and others including the possibility of fabricated answers, known as hallucinations. With access to Alexa available in cars, televisions, thermostats and mobile phones, it could become an essential daily tool for scheduling and even shopping. Initially, Amazon plans to roll out the new Alexa service to a limited number of users and will not charge for it, the people said, though it has considered a $5 to $10 monthly fee. The company will also continue to offer what it is calling “Classic Alexa,” the version broadly available today for free. One of the people said Amazon has discontinued adding new offerings to Classic Alexa. Bezos’ vision While Apple’s Siri voice assistant preceded Alexa’s 2014 release by three years, the Amazon service supercharged the acceptance of voice assistants. But for many people, Alexa is now used for little more than kitchen timers and weather updates due to its lack of significant overhauls in the last few years. Alexa is the brainchild of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who envisioned a service that would resemble the voice-activated computers on TV’s “Star Trek.” The hope was that once perfected, users would turn to the voice assistant for hundreds of everyday tasks like turning on lights, preheating the oven, accessing the internet, playing music, writing emails and summoning taxis. “Someday in the future – that might be years or decades away – it could answer everything that you would ever ask it,” Amazon’s then chief of devices, Dave Limp, said nearly a decade ago. With those weighty expectations, the move to upgrade Alexa has suffered delays over concerns around the quality and speed of its responses, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters. Amazon dubbed the new service “Banyan” internally, as well as “Remarkable Alexa,” though it was not immediately clear if the Seattle company planned on using either as a new product name. In a January Financial Times interview, Amazon executive Rohit Prasad acknowledged some of the obstacles in developing what is effectively an entirely new service, including the work to eliminate hallucinations. Analysts at Bank of America estimate Amazon could generate $600 million annually if 10% of active users, which it estimates at around 100 million devices, pay $5 per month for the service. —Greg Bensinger, Reuters View the full article

Not all apps are safe. It's why I always recommend downloading apps from official app stores, like the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, rather than a random website: Apple and Google both have policies to scan for malware and stop them before reaching app stores. But neither company is perfect, and apps infected with malware end up on official app marketplaces more often that we'd like to think. These apps usually pop up on the Play Store more than the App Store given that Apple is extremely strict, but that doesn't mean the App Store is impervious to malware—it definitely happens, and we've covered it before. In fact, researchers just found a batch of apps containing malicious programs on both Apple's and Google's platforms. And it's the first time this specific type of the malware was found on the iOS App Store. What is SparkCat?Researchers at Kaspersky discovered apps on both Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store that contained malicious frameworks, specifically designed to steal crypto wallet recovery phrases—a series of words used to access cryptocurrency in digital wallets. Researchers call this malware "SparkCat," and they believe it has been circulating since March 2024. If you downloaded one of these apps on either iOS or Android, the app would likely ask permission to access your photo library, then the malicious framework would launch an optical character recognition (OCR) plug-in to scan and identify text in your images. If the program found text that matched certain keywords, it would then send those images to a remote server. The idea here is to scan your library looking for screenshots that reveal the recovery phrases in your crypto wallet and send them back to the thieves who could then use those phrases to break in and steal from accounts. One of the first apps to arouse suspicious of Kaspersky researchers was a Chinese food delivery app called ComeCome. It's still available on both iOS and Android, and is the first known app infected with OCR malware to appear on Apple's App Store, according to Kaspersky. A negative review all the way from 2023 suggests the app has been using malware to steal information, but it's not clear the app has been using this specific OCR tactic the whole time. Kaspersky discovered other apps with a similar malicious framework as well. It's important to note researchers can't say whether the malware was placed in these apps by a malicious actor or the app developers embedded it themselves. That said, it appears some apps were designed to attract users without offering legitimate services in return—such as multiple AI messaging services from the same developer. Specifically, that's WeTink and AnyGPT, which are both still live at the time of writing. Where to go from hereFirst of all, if you have any of these affected apps installed on your iPhone or Android, delete them now. Even if the developers didn't add the malicious framework intentionally (which can happen if a third-party hijacks the app), they aren't safe to keep on your device. After that, take a moment to clean out your iPhone or Android's images folder. If you have images containing recovery phrases for your crypto wallet, be sure to delete those, but also consider deleting images that contain any sensitive information in the first place. Other malware strains may take advantage of this OCR tactic to look for social security numbers or bank account information, for example, so it's best to eliminate that risk altogether. Finally, exercise caution when downloading new apps, even when doing so through official app stores. Be sure to review all aspects of an app's page before installing it, including the reviews, description, and screenshots. If anything seems off, it's probably best to avoid downloading it. And avoid generic AI apps like the plague. Developers know there's a high demand for AI apps, which means malicious users can slyly add malware to apps in the hope that an AI fan downloads their latest scheme. Don't fall for it. View the full article

Google’s new ads rules demote confusing landing pages and reward those aligned with user intent. The post Google Ads Update: Misleading Landing Pages Now Demoted appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Republican party divided amid uproar over US president’s plan to take over the enclaveView the full article

Learn how to set up GA4 in five steps. And three different methods for installing it on your website. View the full article

Portfolio enhancements and diversifications cushion the impact of the L.A. wildfires from RMBS losses. View the full article

Mortgage companies under scrutiny could see a reprieve, while the status of functions like behind-the-scenes guidance inquiries is uncertain, experts say. View the full article

Google Ads introduced new form tracking in Tag Manager that enables codeless event creation for lead form submissions. Advertisers can now set up conversion tracking via a user-friendly interface, eliminating complex manual coding. Key features: Codeless event detection. Flexible form submission tracking. Multiple URL matching options. Why we care. This update dramatically reduces the technical complexity of setting up conversion tracking. By offering a wizard-style interface with codeless event detection, Google Ads eliminates hours of manual coding, making form tracking faster and more accessible for marketers with limited technical skills. First seen. This update was first seen by advertising professional Dennis Quaid when he posted the new update on X (formerly Twitter): Bottom line. This update streamlines advertiser workflows, reducing technical barriers to conversion tracking. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Just sharing this tweet from Washington Post reporter Jeff Stein for federal government workers about Elon Musk’s “deferred resignation” offer. (Don’t take it! It’s still a trap.) Also, if you remember the letter-writer who worked at Twitter when Elon Musk took over, that same person has sent in this note: I just wanted to thank you for posting about what federal workers who are currently under attack can do. The former Twitter employees I know have all spent the past couple of weeks reliving the Twitter takeover from 2 years ago but on a much more widespread and terrible scale. I want to say this is all beyond belief but .. we saw this happen and how it played out, and now I’m just left feeling so angry that we couldn’t have stopped this somehow. I don’t know what I could have done differently or better, but I feel the burden of watching this happen the first time around and not being able to stop it. Seeing the news about how Elon locked government workers out of their systems, how they’re moving beds into OPM’s headquarters … It feels like the Twilight Zone. I would not at all be surprised if he held a public auction in the next couple weeks to sell off real estate, office equipment … all the way down to artwork on the walls and plants on employee desks. I’m still thinking about how I can help push back on and resist what we’re seeing happen all around us, and I wanted to say that if you ever do another post on this issue, please let the federal workers know that a whole bunch of former Twitter employees know what they’re going through, and we support them, and we’re so so sorry they’re experiencing this. View the full article

After a brief scare yesterday, the USPS has lifted the world’s shortest shipping suspension, confirming that it will continue to deliver packages from China and Hong Kong to the U.S. The news follows a temporary halt on Chinese parcels following President Trump’s executive order that applies a 10% tariff to Chinese goods and lifting the de minimis exemption for shipments from China. The USPS says it’s currently working on a plan to implement these fees with the “least disruption to package delivery,” but that it will continue to accept impacted packages in the meantime. While other shipping services like UPS or FedEx have yet to announce their own responses to the President’s order, all will have to come up with some sort of plan. Still, it seems your grandparents overseas will still be able to send you care packages. But that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet. While packages will continue to flow, expect delays as shippers learn how to navigate new fees, as well for prices to jump. While a 10% tariff is fairly self-explanatory (goods from the tariffed country will be 10% more expensive to import), the loss of the de minimis exemption is a little harder to understand, and is likely to be a major thorn in the side of low-cost online Chinese marketplaces like Shein and Temu. Enacted in 1930, the de minimis exemption was intended as a way for the U.S. to save itself some hassle, by waving duties and fees on international shipments where the collected revenue would take more effort to charge than the government would get out of them. It typically applies to all packages worth less than $800, which has been a boon for online e-commerce. According to a 2023 U.S. Congressional committee report cited by Reuters, almost half of all de minimis exemptions to this point have been for Chinese packages, with 30% of daily de minimis shipments coming from Temu and Shein. With those protections going away, said stores would now be subject to customs on all goods, in addition to the 10% tariff, which could raise prices and shipping times. American stores that rely on Chinese warehouses, such as Amazon Haul, could also be impacted. It’s unclear at this point how much of that additional pain will be passed on to customers. Speaking to Reuters, the CEO of warehouse management software ShipHero, Aaron Rubin, said the fees are “probably about 5 points of margin difference, using de minimis or not, and e-commerce businesses usually have a 10% or 15% margin, so this is a very significant impact” Conversely, University of Delaware fashion and apparel studies professor Sheng Lu told the outlet that the new rules might only add a few cents to each product. However, despite sounding like a modest price hike, it could still greatly impact smaller Chinese businesses who don’t have the cost-absorbing resources Temu or Shein do. Note that the de minimis exemption as a whole is not gone—Trump’s new rules are currently only directed at China (originally, they would have also impacted Canada and Mexico, but the President’s recent deals with those countries have given them a 30-day stay on enforcement for now). With that in mind, it’s possible another country’s own version of Temu could dethrone the e-commerce giant, or that Chinese shippers could use an intermediary to slightly reduce their fees. View the full article

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday he is reconsidering rules that allowed air traffic control supervisors to reduce staffing at Washington’s Reagan National Airport before a fatal Army helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 people last week. Duffy, who also said he spoke to Trump adviser Elon Musk on Tuesday about airspace reform issues, questioned the military’s flying of helicopter flights near congested Reagan National Airport. “If we have generals who are flying in helicopters for convenience through this airspace, that’s not acceptable. Get a damn Suburban and drive—you don’t need to take a helicopter,” Duffy said in a speech in Washington. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission and the pilot may have been wearing night vision goggles. “We also have to look at (military) missions that have flown the DC airspace,” Duffy said. “We’re going to hopefully find this out, but if they had night vision goggles on a mission like that at nine o’clock at night and not at 1 a.m. – it is unacceptable.” He noted the helicopter was flying at 300 feet (91.4 m) – above the maximum 200 feet for that route. “We have to take a real look at the safety around this airspace … We can fly training missions at a different time of night.” In the aftermath of the crash, the FAA has imposed significant restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport until at least late February. Duffy noted that before the crash, two air traffic control positions were consolidated for helicopters and aircraft. “We’re going to pull that authority back to make sure that we have the right policies in place inside our towers to make sure when you fly you’re safe,” Duffy said. Duffy also plans to announce in the coming days steps to surge more air traffic control training and applicants. The FAA is about 3,000 controllers short of staffing levels and nearly all control towers have staffing issues. “It’s going to take us time to get more air traffic controllers,” Duffy said. Duffy noted the FAA is using antiquated technology to oversee flights. “We’re going to upgrade it and make sure that America has the most innovative, technologically advanced air system, air traffic control system that’s going to make it safer,” Duffy said. —David Shepardson, Reuters View the full article

Completed foreclosure auctions should be 8% lower this year, but if home value and unemployment expectations change, all bets are off, Auction.com said. View the full article

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans have become increasingly popular in recent years—originations grew tenfold between 2019 and 2021, for instance. Last year, roughly 20% of American consumers used one to make a purchase. Despite their increasing usage, BNPL loans are still not used to calculate credit scores—which may have effects for lenders, and could be costing some consumers with good credit habits some valuable points. FICO—the creator of the FICO Score which is used by 90% of U.S.-based lending institutions to make lending decisions—recently published an analysis in tandem with the BNPL company Affirm to get a sense of what the results would be if those loans were used to calculate FICO scores. The results? Mostly good for both consumers and lenders. The analysis looked at data from a 12-month period and compared the FICO scores of more than 500,000 people who used Affirm to open a BNPL loan against those who had not. FICO then simulated the inclusion of the BNPL data into its model and found that most people saw an increase or no change in their credit scores. “Affirm gave us data that would be the same data they would furnish to a credit bureau,” says Julie May, vice president and general manager of B2B scores at FICO. “With the simulated study, we would see positive benefits for approximately two-thirds of consumers, particularly for those with utilization of five or more BNPL loans,” she says. In all, incorporating BNPL loan data into credit scoring models would “benefit consumers, and the lenders who use the FICO score to make lending decisions,” she says. In all, the analysis found that using the BNPL data to generate a FICO score was “generally consistent with the opening of a new account,” with a slight (plus or minus 10 points) change in their score for 85% of the individuals analyzed. For those who have better credit habits—such as making on-time payments, and keeping their overall credit utilization low—the BNPL data helps increase scores to a degree. With the simulation complete, May says that FICO will be looking to roll out a new FICO scoring model in the future that will incorporate BNPL data, effectively the first model to do so. “We know what the actual solution would be; we’re in final discussions with stakeholders in terms of how that would roll out,” she says. There’s no hard date yet, but May adds that when it does ultimately happen, FICO is excited to “introduce the proprietary technique to the marketplace.” View the full article

The construction process is how projects in that field are broken into more manageable parts. Creating a building, bridge, warehouse or any structure is daunting when starting with nothing and having to create something complex. That’s where the building construction process comes in by working in stages that focus on specifics. These construction process steps make overwhelming projects possible. Let’s define those construction process stages and explain how to manage them. What Is the Construction Process? The construction process is the entire sequence of activities involved in creating a built structure, such as a building, bridge, road or infrastructure project. It encompasses all phases, from the initial concept and design to the completion and handover to the owner. The building construction process involves numerous stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers and regulatory authorities, each contributing their expertise to make sure the project is completed efficiently, safely and to the specified requirements. Defining the construction process stages is only the start. General contractors know that to manage those phases they require project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that construction managers prefer. Let’s see why. First, our software has robust Gantt charts that schedule tasks, resources and costs. But unlike other Gantt charts, we can link all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays and cost overruns so you can keep your profit margins. It’s easy to filter for the critical path and a baseline can be set to track progress in real time. These plans can be shared across different project views. Subcontractors can execute their work on powerful task lists that have unlimited storage to attach as many files and photos as needed, and they can add tags, show progress and much more. Or they can use kanban boards to visualize workflow. Stakeholders can stay updated on the calendar view for a monthly project view. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA.pngProjectManager has Gantt charts and other project views to plan and schedule projects. Learn more Steps in the Construction Process The construction process is typically divided into several key phases, each of which plays a critical role in delivering a functional and compliant structure. Let’s review each of these stages. 1. Pre-Construction Phase This phase includes the project initiation, which defines goals, budget and timeline. Architects and engineers design plans, while permits are pulled from government agencies and the project ensures it complies with regulations. There’s also a site analysis during this stage. Surveys are conducted, soil tested and environmental assessments are made. 2. Site Analysis and Preparation At this point, the construction crew is clearing the site of any vegetation, debris and existing structures. There is also excavation and grading to level the site and prepare it for the construction of the foundation. 3. Foundation Construction Now comes the digging of the footings, which is excavating areas for slabs on which the foundation will stand. This lays the groundwork to lay the foundation, which is done by pouring concrete or masonry for a solid base. 4. Structural Framing Once the foundation has been laid, it’s time to erect the framework for the structure. This entails building walls, floors and roofs using steel, wood or concrete. Supports are also installed by adding beams, columns and trusses for structural integrity. 5. Enclosure At this time, the construction crew is ready to add roofing. Roofing materials are installed to waterproof the structure. Exterior walls are also built. Crews add cladding, insulation and windows. 6. Systems Installation Subcontractors for these specific trades will then install the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electricians will lay wiring, outlets and paneling, while plumbers set up pipes, fixtures and water systems. 7. Interior Work At this point in the construction process, drywall and insulation can be installed on the interior walls and ceilings. Flooring is also done, such as laying tiles, carpets and hardwood. Lastly, painting and finishes are applied, including trim work. 8. Post-Construction Once the build is done, the construction process is not yet complete. It has to go through a post-construction phase, which commonly includes activities such as inspections to ensure the project complies with all building codes and regulations. There’s also a punch list that identifies and fixes minor issues or incomplete tasks. A final cleanup will prepare the site for presentation or use and occupancy permits are secured for legal approval for the building to be used. Finally, there’s the handover. This is the transfer of the completed project to the owner or client, along with any relevant documentation, such as warranties, maintenance schedules and as-built drawings. How to Manage the Construction Process Managing the construction process is necessary to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards. Managing the construction process steps requires planning and executing several key components. They are explained as follows. Define the Scope of Work The scope of work (SOW) outlines the specific tasks, deliverables and objectives of the construction project. To define the scope of work, begin by identifying and detailing the project deliverables, outline exclusions and set milestones and deadlines. Be sure to collaborate with stakeholders. Forecast Resource Requirements Resource forecasting involves predicting the materials, equipment, labor and other resources needed for the project. In construction, the material takeoff (a detailed list that outlines the exact quantities and types of materials needed to construct a project) and a bill of quantities (a list of all materials and labor needed to complete the project) are essential. Estimate Costs and Make a Construction Budget Creating a construction budget involves estimating the total project cost, including all materials, labor, equipment and overhead. To do this, start by itemizing costs, using historical data to help with accuracy and considering contingencies. Don’t forget to factor in inflation and track ongoing costs. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Construction-budget-template.jpg Get your free Construction Budget Template Use this free Construction Budget Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File Make a Construction Schedule A construction schedule outlines when each task or milestone is expected to be completed during the project. It is critical for tracking and delivering the project on time. To build a schedule, identify all tasks, determine task durations, establish dependencies and set milestones. Be sure to allocate buffer time and use a scheduling tool, such as Gantt charts, critical path method and construction project management software. Create a Risk Management Plan A risk management plan identifies potential risks that could negatively impact the project and outlines strategies to mitigate them. It begins by identifying risks, assessing the likelihood and impact of their occurrence and developing mitigation strategies. It’s also important to monitor risks and document them in a risk log. Establish Quality Assurance and Control Guidelines Quality assurance and control make sure that the construction project meets all design specifications and regulatory standards. First, define quality standards, then implement inspections and testing, defining the acceptance criteria. Be sure to train workers and use checklists to ensure quality standards are being met. Define a Change Management Process Changes to the scope, schedule or costs are inevitable, but managing those changes effectively is critical to the project’s success. Therefore, establish a formal process, assess the impact of changes and document all of them. Track how changes affect project progress and adjust schedules and budgets as necessary. Create Daily Construction Logs Daily construction logs are used to document the project’s progress on a day-by-day basis and track important activities. They also track weather conditions, document safety incidents, log work hours, monitor progress against the schedule and communicate with stakeholders. Who Participates in the Construction Process? The building construction process involves a wide range of professionals and stakeholders, each contributing specialized knowledge and expertise to ensure the project is completed successfully. Here’s a brief overview of those key participants in the process of construction. Project owner or client: Individuals or organizations that finance and commission the construction project. They define the project’s objectives, budget, timeline and overall scope. Architects: They’re responsible for the project’s design, creating architectural plans and making sure the design meets both the functional needs of the client and regulatory standards. Engineers: Depending on the project, there can be one or all of these types of engineers. A civil engineer ensures the building is safe; civil engineers focus on planning, design and construction of infrastructure; and a site engineer manages the technical aspects of the construction project. Job site supervisor: Oversees the daily operations of a construction site, ensuring that work is completed on time, within budget and in compliance with safety regulations by managing the workforce, coordinating materials and monitoring progress. General contractor: An entity or individual responsible for overseeing the entire construction process, including hiring and managing subcontractors, coordinating work and delivering the project as contracted. Subcontractors: These are specialized contractors hired by the general contractor to complete specific tasks, such as electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, roofing, drywall, painting and landscaping. Construction workers: The people who perform the physical labor to build and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, buildings and power plants. Quality control inspector: These professionals are responsible for verifying that all construction work being done adheres to the project’s specifications, blueprints and quality standards by regularly inspecting materials, workmanship and the building process. Surveyors: Uses specialized equipment to precisely measure and mark the location of different property features to make sure that buildings and structures are built in the correct position and according to the design plans. /wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-construction-ebook-banner-ad.jpg How ProjectManager Helps Manage the Construction Process The building construction process is straightforward, but managing all those moving pieces to deliver the project to meet the client’s expectations and keep the general contractor’s profit margin intact is complicated. Construction project management software is designed to make that work more efficient and effective. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that helps manage one or multiple projects. Multiple project views allow general contractors to schedule on powerful Gantt charts, while teams execute on task lists and kanban boards, and stakeholders can stay updated on progress with the calendar view. Robust Resource Management and Cost Tracking Features When onboarding teams, managers can set their availability, including PTO, vacation and global holidays, as well as skill sets, which makes it easier to assign tasks. Then visit the color-coded workload chart to get an overview of resource allocation. If some are overallocated or underutilized, balance the team’s workload from that page to keep everyone working at capacity without threatening burnout. There’s also a team page that provides a summary of everyone’s activities, daily or weekly, which can be filtered to show priority, progress and more. Secure timesheets streamline payroll but also provide a window into labor costs to keep to budgets. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/timesheet-lightmode-good-version-lots-of-tasks.png Monitor the Construction Process With Real-Time Dashboards General contractors need to track more than just resources to deliver projects on time and within budget. For a high-level overview, they can toggle to the real-time project or portfolio management dashboard. There, colorful, easy-to-read graphs and charts display metrics like time, cost, workload and more. To get deeper into the data, managers can use customizable reports on status, portfolio, workload, timesheets, variance and more. Filter the reports for greater detail or summarize progress and share with stakeholders to keep them informed. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg Related Construction Project Management Content The construction process is part of the larger construction project management. For those who want to learn more about this larger subject, below are a handful of recently published articles on construction phases, documents, contracts and more. Construction Phases: Documentation, Templates & Steps Construction Documents (Templates Included) Types of Construction Contracts: Pros, Cons & Best Practices Key Construction Job Titles: Overview & Salary Why Use a Gantt Chart in Construction Project Management ProjectManager is online construction project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office or on the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post The Construction Process Explained Step-by-Step appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you tend to get overwhelmed by the prospect of cleaning your house, here’s some good news: One of the best cleaning methods out there is designed for people like you. Called the 20/10 rule, it’s been around for a few years, but has really withstood the test of time because of its simplicity and how effective it is. What is the 20/10 method of cleaning?The 20/10 method comes from Rachel Hoffman’s 2017 book, Unf*ck Your Habitat: You’re Better Than Your Mess. The title is at once bracing and comforting, just what you need as motivation to clean your place and keep it clean. While the book goes into a lot of detail about all the methods you can use to do that, like taking progress pictures and tidying up spaces in a certain order, its first tip—the 20/10 method—is key here. At its most basic, the method calls for you to spend 20 minutes cleaning and 10 minutes chilling. That’s it, essentially. It’s similar to other productivity techniques, like the Pomodoro method, but gives you less work time and more break time than those do. For maximum efficiency, devote each 20-minute block to a certain surface or area, like a messy desk or a pile of laundry. Chunk by chunk, the task will get done. What makes 20/10 one of the best cleaning methodsThe importance of taking breaks in between bursts of hard work is well-documented. If you work too much, too hard, for too long, you’ll burn out and give up. When you’re using a work-and-rest technique to study or work, you have to think deeply during your “on” times; cleaning, on the other hand, can be slightly more mindless, which is a good thing. You don’t need 25 minutes, as the Pomodoro technique calls for, but you should devote 20. The breaks are super important, so don’t skimp on them. Try to use them to enjoy the space you just cleaned. If you cleaned a desk, sit at it for your 10 minutes, relishing the experience of using it while it’s tidy. If you folded all the laundry piled on a chair, you should sit in that chair, by God. Giving yourself a full 10 minutes to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor gives you immediate gratification and time to recharge before getting back at it. How to adapt this method to fit your needsIf you want to try out the 20/10 method, I recommend slotting it into your cleaning schedule for a week or two, but keep track of how it goes. Take notes on whether you feel rested enough after the 10 minutes of break time, or whether you find it hard to sink into a groove in just 20 minutes of effort. After all, these are just guidelines, not rules set in stone. Even the vaunted Pomodoro method has seen adaptations like "animedoro" crop up that make it work better for some people. Feel free to tinker with the 10/20 timing to suit your own needs, provided you are still prioritizing that all-important break. View the full article

You no longer need to login or create an account to use ChatGPT Search from OpenAI. You can now just use ChatGPT without an account. The announcement. OpenAI announced this on X, saying: ChatGPT search is now available to everyone on http://chatgpt.com — no sign up required. ChatGPT search is now available to everyone on https://t.co/nYW5KO1aIg — no sign up required. pic.twitter.com/VElT7cxxjZ — OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 5, 2025 More details. OpenAI launched ChatGPT Search in October 2024 and then made it free for all users in mid-December. Now, you don’t even need an account to use ChatGPT Search. How it works. According to OpenAI: “The search model is a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o, post-trained using novel synthetic data generation techniques, including distilling outputs from OpenAI o1-preview. ChatGPT search leverages third-party search providers, as well as content provided directly by our partners, to provide the information users are looking for.” One of those third-party search providers is Microsoft Bing. Based on its ChatGPT search help document, OpenAI is sharing search query and location data with Microsoft. Why we care. Now that you no longer need an account to search the web with ChatGPT, it might pose more of a challenge for Google and other search engines. As we said before, referal traffic from ChatGPT continues to grow every month. ChatGPT search won’t dethrone Google’s search monopoly anytime soon. However, if ChatGPT search adoption accelerates, as it likely will now that it’s open to all ChatGPT users, it could soon find itself owning 1% of the search market share. Brands, businesses and creators better be ready for this shift. View the full article

Google’s Gemini AI could eventually become an advertising platform, with CEO Sundar Pichai hinting at “native ad concepts” during the company’s earnings call. The big picture: Gemini currently offers a free tier and paid subscription options Pichai signaled potential future advertising integration The company plans $75 billion in capital expenditures this year to advance AI capabilities What they are saying. “We always want to lead with the user experience and we do have very good ideas for native ad concepts,” Pichai told investors. Why we care. Gemini represents a massive potential new ad platform with sophisticated targeting capabilities. Google’s $75 billion AI investment and hints of “native ad concepts” signal a strategic opportunity for early positioning in an emerging advertising ecosystem with billions of potential users. Between the lines. While ads won’t appear in Gemini this year, Google’s ad-driven business model suggests monetization is likely inevitable. The company has already introduced ads in AI Overviews, indicating a potential roadmap for Gemini. Bottom line. Google is treading carefully, prioritizing user experience while quietly exploring advertising opportunities in its AI offerings. View the full article

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Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock (NASDAQ: AMD) fell 9% before the bell on Wednesday after the company fell short on sales for its data centers, despite reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. (The stock is down 7% as of midday Wednesday.) That’s because the chipmaker’s core business is selling data center chips for graphics processing units used to power AI. It’s currently going head-to-head with Nvidia for market share of the lucrative, high-powered AI chip market. Shares in Nvidia (NVDA), meanwhile, were up 4% in midday trading Wednesday after Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced it will spend $75 billion in expected capital expenditures in 2025, a majority of which will go into building data centers and servers in an effort to help Google increase its AI capabilities. On Tuesday, AMD reported Q4 revenue that came in at $7.66 billion, beating estimates of $7.54 billion, and an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.09. Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2025, the chipmaker forecast revenue coming in between $6.8 billion and $7.4 billion. On its earnings call with investors, CEO Lisa T. Su told investors the company sees “strong double-digit percentage revenue and EPS growth” for 2025, calling 2024 “a transformative year for AMD . . . [when we] successfully established our multibillion-dollar data center AI franchise, launched a broad set of leadership products, and gained significant server and PC market share.” Also on Wednesday, Truist Securities analyst William Stein reduced the company’s price target to $130 a share, down from $145. At the time of this writing, AMD stock was trading at $109.58, near its 52-week low. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Once mold starts taking over your bathroom, it’s not easy to get rid of. If the growth is alarming, paying to have it cleaned can cost hundreds of dollars, but it’s often worth it because getting rid of mold can be challenging (and exhausting). Your best move is to prevent mold from taking root in the first place, which usually involves reducing dampness and being vigilant with cleaning. A better approach might be to design a mold-free bathroom from the get-go. If you’re considering renovating your bathroom, you can choose materials and make design decisions that will make it a lot harder for mold to take up residence. Go groutlessMold loves grout because it’s porous and absorbs moisture—and its porous nature means mold can penetrate under its surface, which makes it even harder to clean. The more grout you have, the more potential breeding ground you have, so consider eliminating it: Wall panels. Acrylic wall panels are continuous sheets, meaning there are no grout lines to deal with. You can purchase panels that mimic the look of tile, but they come in a wide range of colors and designs, giving you a lot of design flexibility without the grout—or the potential for mold. Vinyl or laminate flooring. Kkip the grout on your floor by avoiding traditional tile and opting for vinyl planks or laminate. Similar to the wall panels, you can find vinyl flooring that resembles tile or stone so you can get the look you want. Shower pan. Instead of a tiled or stone shower floor, installing an acrylic shower pan eliminates all that grout and makes it a lot easier to clean and a lot harder for mold to take root. Go freestandingMold and mildew loves to colonize caulk, which can get so unsightly as a result that you wind up just tearing it out and re-caulking. Anything that sits flush with or attached to your walls in a damp area has to be caulked, so you can reduce the amount of caulk (and with it, the amount of mold) by choosing freestanding items, like a freestanding tub or vanity. Go metalIf you want storage in your shower for soaps, bottles, and everything else, a traditional tiled niche is an invitation to mold, especially if the pitch isn’t quite right and water ponds in there. Opting for a metal insert instead (like this stainless steel shower niche) eliminates that problem. Go resistantPainted walls and ceilings in bathrooms are prime targets for mold and mildew because moisture condenses on those surfaces. Steam rising from the shower often results in those tell-tale brown dots on the ceiling above, and over time, even walls outside the shower area can become stained with mold. Using antimicrobial primer and paint is one key to eliminating mold from your bathroom, and it’s one thing you can do even if you’re not ready to renovate. Cleaning the walls and ceiling thoroughly, sealing them with a mold-resistant primer and painting them with a mold-resistant paint can greatly reduce the chances you’ll be scrubbing mold out of your bathroom in the near future. VentilationFinally, when transforming your bathroom, don’t forget the less exciting but crucial aspect of mold resistance: ventilation. Make sure you determine the correct size of exhaust fan necessary for the space, and consider installing a model that has a humidity sensor. Also think about other ways to boost airflow in there, like adding a window (or a larger window) or a dedicated dehumidifier. View the full article

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