Organizations that rely on computing technology for survival understand the critical importance of managing projects that meet strategic goals and objectives. The diversity of business globalization and electronic commerce combined with the unceasing pace of technical change continues to challenge efforts for more proficient project management tech

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has long been one of the federal government's key agencies in planning the uses of the nation's waterways and water resources. Though responsible for a range of water-related programs, the Corps's two traditional programs have been flood damage reduction and navigation enhancement. The water resource needs of the nation, however, have for decades been shifting away from engineered control of watersheds toward restoration of ecosystem services and natural hydrologic variability. In response to these shifting needs, legislation was enacted in 1990 which initiated the Corps's involvement in ecological restoration, which is now on par with the Corps's traditional flood damage reduction and navigation roles. This book provides an analysis of the Corps's efforts in ecological restoration, and provides broader recommendations on how the corps might streamline their planning process. It also assesses the impacts of federal legislation on the Corps planning and projects, and provides recommendations on how relevant federal policies might be altered in order to improve Corps planning. Another important shift affecting the Corps has been federal cost-sharing arrangements (enacted in 1986), mandating greater financial participation in Corps water projects by local co-sponsors. The book describes how this has affected the Corps-sponsor relationship, and comments upon how each group must adjust to new planning and political realities.

This book is a collection of papers presented during the 8th World Conference on Soft Computing in February 2022. The papers cover multiple areas important for soft computing. Some papers are dedicated to fundamental aspects of soft computing, i.e., fuzzy mathematics, type-2 fuzzy sets, evolutionary-based optimization, aggregation, and neural networks. Others emphasize the application of soft computing methods to data analysis, image processing, decision-making, classification, series prediction, economics, control, and modeling.

Aimed at practitioners and students of librarianship, this book is about interesting and unusual practical projects currently being run by academic liaison librarians. It shows how liaison librarians can extend their roles beyond the established one of information literacy teaching and showcases areas in which they can engage in collaborative ventures with academic and administrative staff. Designed to excite and inspire, New Directions for Academic Liaison Librarians demonstrates the potential of the liaison role and emphasises the need for flexibility, imagination and initiative in those who hold these posts. - Unique in concentrating on the role of the new community of academic liaison librarians - Recognises the wider possibilities for development open to this different new breed of information specialist - Written by a practitioner in the field

New Directions in Development: A Study of U.S. AID Donald R. Mickelwait, Charles F, Sweet, and Elliott R. Morss In 1973 Congress legislated a fundamental change in U.S. foreign aid policy: rather than provide general assistance to developing nations, the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) would focus on helping the rural poor in those nations. AID commissioned Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), to prepare a strategy for making the change toward "New Directions" in development and then to assist in the design and implementation of a number of projects using the new strategy. The authors describe the bureaucratic and administrative problems that confronted Development Alternatives in this job, giving particular attention to the administrative and bureaucratic barriers within AID itself. They conclude with a set of recommendations for reform that are essential if the agency is to attain its "New Directions" objectives.

'This book should be read by anyone commissioning impact assessments who wants to build their understanding of the more progressive and innovative end of the topic. A job well done in the eyes of stakeholders and regulators requires proper social analysis.' Jon Samuel, Head of Social Performance, Anglo American 'The list of authors reads like a who's who in SIA. Academics and practitioners are equally represented among the authors. The book provides a good mix of broad theoretical concepts and specific practical topics.' Martin Haefele, Manager, Environmental Impact Assessment at Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada 'This book gives a very broad overview of where Social Impact Assessment is coming from, where it is now and where it could go: from an impact assessment tool to an impact management tool. It provides a realistic insight in both the achievements and the struggles of Social Impact Assessment. A recommended read for both those interested in Social Impact Assessment and those in related domains where social issues are gaining increasing importance, such as Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal.' Rob Verheem, Deputy Director, Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment This important new book outlines current developments in thinking in the field of Social Impact Assessment (SIA). It advances the theory and practice of SIA, and argues that a dramatic shift is required in the way socioeconomic studies and community participation is undertaken. The book emphasizes that, much more than the act of predicting impacts in a regulatory context, SIA needs to be the process of managing the social aspects of development and that there needs to be a holistic and integrated approach to impact assessment. It stresses that greater attention needs to be given to ensuring that the goals of development are attained and enhanced. This significant addition to the literature will be an invaluable reference for academics, consultants and practitioners.

This book gathers authoritative contributions in the field of Soft Computing. Based on selected papers presented at the 7th World Conference on Soft Computing, which was held on May 29–31, 2018, in Baku, Azerbaijan, it describes new theoretical advances, as well as cutting-edge methods and applications. New theories and algorithms in fuzzy logic, cognitive modeling, graph theory and metaheuristics are discussed, and applications in data mining, social networks, control and robotics, geoscience, biomedicine and industrial management are described. This book offers a timely, broad snapshot of recent developments, including thought-provoking trends and challenges that are yielding new research directions in the diverse areas of Soft Computing.