Currently pursuing a PhD at Imperial College Business School, London, UK in the area of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Professional experience includes 18+ years of experience in software development, QA, and management. I gained much knowledge from working at companies like Amazon, NetApp, and Lucent Technologies (now Nokia) at various levels and roles.

My Mentoring Topics

  • Career guidance, agile development, innovation, achieving career success, writing, improving design and architecture, managing managers engineers, and mentoring them, making an impact on the organisation.
D.
31.May 2023

I am delighted to share my exceptional experience working with my incredible mentor, Raj Arasanal, and I cannot express my gratitude enough for the invaluable guidance and support he provided me. I recently had the privilege to learn from him about the managerial journey in the software industry, the intricacies of software recruitment, and the exciting prospects of exploring foreign opportunities in the software field. From the moment I met Raj, it was evident that his passion for the software industry and dedication to helping others succeed was unparalleled. His extensive knowledge and expertise in these areas made the interaction with him a truly enlightening experience. He effortlessly shared their insights, breaking down complex concepts into easily understandable pieces, and providing real-life examples that I could relate to. I wholeheartedly recommend Raj Arasanal to anyone seeking a mentor in the Software Industry. His expertise, passion, and commitment to helping others succeed are truly remarkable. With Raj by your side, you can be assured of receiving top-notch guidance and support that will propel you towards achieving your goals. Thank you, Raj, for being an outstanding mentor and for making a lasting impact on my professional journey!

N.
12.May 2023

best mentorship session.he cleared all my doubts. he was super helpful. he gave lots of insights. He was positive. He provided all the steps for my interview preparation.he is perfect mentor. Thank you so much sir for all the guidance and help.looking forward to a session soon:)

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Design Patterns - Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides

Key Facts and Insights Design Patterns are recurring solutions to common problems in software design. The book provides 23 design patterns categorized into three groups: creational, structural, and behavioral. Creational patterns deal with object creation mechanisms, trying to create objects in a manner suitable to the situation. Structural patterns explain how to assemble objects and classes into larger structures while keeping these structures flexible and efficient. Behavioral patterns characterize the ways in which classes or objects interact and distribute responsibility. Each pattern is described with its name, intent, motivation, applicability, structure, participants, collaborations, consequences, implementation, sample code, known uses, and related patterns. The book is not just a catalog of patterns, but it also provides a new language for discussing programming concepts. The authors emphasize the importance of encapsulating the concept that varies. The book provides valuable insight into object-oriented design principles. Design patterns help to reduce the complexity of software design by providing generalized solutions that can be customized to fit specific problems. The book is considered a classic in the field of software design and is often referred to as the 'Gang of Four' book. In-depth Analysis and Summary "Design Patterns - Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software" is a seminal work in the field of software design, authored by the 'Gang of Four' - Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides. The book has had a lasting impact on software engineering and has helped to shape the field of software design patterns. The book is not just a catalog of patterns, but it is a comprehensive guide to understanding the principles of object-oriented design. It provides a new language for programmers to discuss, explore, and implement design solutions, making complex designs easier to understand and communicate. The book presents 23 design patterns divided into three categories: Creational, Structural, and Behavioral. These patterns are not specific solutions to a particular problem, but rather general strategies for solving a certain kind of problem. They provide a template that can be adapted to the specific needs of the software being developed. Creational Patterns focus on the instantiation process of objects. They provide a way to decouple a client from the specific classes it instantiates. Examples include Singleton, Factory Method, and Abstract Factory. Structural Patterns deal with the composition of classes or objects. They help ensure that when one part of a system changes, the entire structure doesn't need to change along with it. Examples include Adapter, Decorator, and Composite. Behavioral Patterns are concerned with communication between objects. They help ensure that objects interact with each other properly, and that responsibilities are distributed effectively. Examples include Observer, Strategy, and Template Method. Each pattern is described in detail, with information on its intent, motivation, applicability, structure, participants, collaborations, consequences, implementation, sample code, known uses, and related patterns. This thorough description allows readers to understand not just what the pattern is, but why it is used, how it is used, and the benefits and potential drawbacks of its use. One of the key principles the authors emphasize is the importance of encapsulating the concept that varies. This means identifying the parts of a system that are likely to change and separating them from the parts that are stable. This encapsulation reduces the impact of changes in the system, making it easier to update and maintain. The book provides valuable insight into object-oriented design principles. It demonstrates how these principles can be applied to create flexible, reusable software. It also shows how design patterns can reduce the complexity of software design by providing generalized solutions that can be customized to fit specific problems. "Design Patterns - Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software" is considered a classic in the field of software design. It is a valuable resource for any software developer seeking to improve their understanding of design patterns and object-oriented design principles. By equipping readers with this knowledge, the book empowers them to create more efficient, maintainable, and adaptable software. In essence, it provides a roadmap for navigating the complex terrain of software design, making it an essential read for anyone serious about becoming a proficient software designer.

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The Lean Startup - How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses
Eric Ries

Key Facts and Insights Emphasis on Experimentation over Elaborate Planning: The Lean Startup methodology promotes experimentation over detailed planning, which allows businesses to adapt and innovate continuously. Customer Feedback over Intuition: Ries emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in shaping products and services rather than relying solely on intuition. Iterative Design: The methodology encourages iterative design, which involves making small changes in products based on customer feedback and observing the results. Minimum Viable Product (MVP): This concept is central to the Lean Startup approach, focusing on creating a basic version of a product to test market hypotheses. Validated Learning: Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, where startups learn from each iteration through rigorous testing and adjustment. Innovation Accounting: This is a method to measure progress, set up milestones, and prioritize work in a startup environment. Build-Measure-Learn Feedback Loop: This is the core component of the Lean Startup methodology, which emphasizes the iterative process of building, measuring, and learning. Pivot or Persevere: Ries introduces a decision-making process in which a startup decides whether to pivot (make a fundamental change to the product) or persevere (keep improving the current product). Continuous Deployment: The Lean Startup methodology encourages continuous deployment of updates to the product, based on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. Lean Management: The Lean Startup approach also extends to management, with streamlined processes and decision-making strategies. In-depth Analysis of "The Lean Startup" "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries is a game-changing book that has reshaped the way businesses think about innovation and growth. Drawing upon his own experiences, Ries presents a new approach for startups to achieve their goals by focusing on continuous innovation and customer feedback. One of the key points in the book is the emphasis on experimentation over elaborate planning. Traditionally, businesses have relied on detailed and lengthy business plans. However, Ries argues that in the rapidly changing business landscape, these plans can quickly become obsolete. Instead, he advocates for a culture of experimentation, where ideas are tested, and changes are made based on the outcomes. This approach allows businesses to adapt to changes and seize new opportunities more effectively. A second key insight from the book is the importance of customer feedback. Ries suggests that businesses should not merely rely on intuition or assumptions about what customers want. Instead, they should engage with customers, seek their feedback, and use this information to shape their products and services. This is an integral part of the iterative design process advocated by Ries. The concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is central to the Lean Startup methodology. Rather than spending extensive resources developing a perfect product right from the start, Ries suggests starting with a basic version of the product, testing it in the market, learning from customer feedback, and making modifications accordingly. The MVP helps businesses to test their market hypotheses with minimal resources. Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, which is a process of learning from each iteration of the product. Through rigorous testing and adjustment based on customer feedback, startups can learn valuable insights about their product and the market. A significant concept in the book is innovation accounting, a method to measure progress, set up milestones, and prioritize work in a startup environment. This accounting system is designed to provide startups with a clear measure of their progress and inform decision-making processes. The Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop is another core concept in the Lean Startup methodology. Startups are encouraged to build a product, measure how it performs in the market, learn from the outcomes, and then build again. This iterative process fosters continuous improvement and innovation. Ries also introduces a decision-making process in which a startup decides whether to pivot or persevere. If a product is not meeting its objectives or gaining traction in the market, the startup may decide to pivot, i.e., make a fundamental change to the product. If the product is showing promise, the startup may decide to persevere and keep improving the product. Continuous deployment of updates to the product is another strategy advocated by Ries. Based on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop, updates are made to the product and deployed continuously. This approach ensures that the product is always improving and adapting to customer needs and market changes. Finally, the Lean Startup approach extends to lean management, with streamlined processes and decision-making strategies. The goal is to create an organization that is adaptable, efficient, and focused on continuous innovation. In conclusion, "The Lean Startup" presents a new approach to business, emphasizing agility, customer feedback, and continuous innovation. It provides a roadmap for startups looking to achieve success in a rapidly changing business landscape.

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