We can all use a little guidance when it comes to identifying how regulations will affect our business processes and IT environments. The hard part is figuring out how compliance requirements change based on geographic variables and vertical markets.

And such guidance is starting to emerge. Two directories/guides were recently announced; both are free after registration, but only one is currently available.

The Object Management Group (OMG) and the OMG Regulatory Compliance Alliance (ORCA) have issued a call for participation for an open database project focused on global regulations called the Global Regulatory Information Database (Compliance GRID).

The Compliance GRID will function as a compliance reference guide for global IT and compliance managers and help identify the relevant laws for an organization's geographic operating markets and to deal with inconsistencies and conflicts. Once the database is populated, any individual or company will be able search the Compliance GRID free-of-charge after registering.

If you're interested in contributing to the project, you can fill out an online form available on the ORCA/OMG web site.

If you are looking for something a little more immediate, Compliance Control Ltd. has brought out a new directory of compliance regulations. The new current Global Automated Regulatory Database (cGARD) directory is said to contain more than three decades of collective experience, combined with input from major companies and industry organizations. The directory is positioned for executive managers, project managers, quality assurance professionals, and compliance and validation staffs.

And finally, don't forget to participate in InformationWeek's Annual Salary Survey. It's easy and you can win prizes and receive a 30+ page report that compares your salary and job satisfaction responses to those of your peers. Take a few minutes and then see how you compare.