Technical Product/Program manager with experience handling large-scale projects having 12+ years of experience. Expertise in leading various company wide initiatives by collaborating with leaders, domain stakeholders and SDM's. Top program manager with showed skills such as time management, negotiations, prioritisation and organizational skills, ability to lead other. Success track record of co-ordinating and delivering on various programs across company. Also worked on Data domain to handle 4V’s of data ( Velocity , Variety , Volume and Veracity) to build world class data Products to make data-driven decisions on Cloud using Clickstream Data . Hands-on person with strong SQL/Hive skills, data modeling experience, developed and deployed various analytical solutions. Strong expertise in Web-Analytics, e-Marketing business and Data. Good Domain knowledge on Travel and Finance segment. Specialties: AWS (S3, EMR, SPARK, Red Shift), Teradata, SQL's, Informatica, Big Data(Hadoop, Hive), Excel, MindMaps, JIRA, Agile, e-Marketing, kubernetes
My Mentoring Topics
- program Management
- Negotiation
- Stakeholder Management
- Agile
Vikas didn't receive any reviews yet.
You need to be logged in to schedule a session with this mentor. Please sign in here or create an account.
The Phoenix Project - A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win
Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
Key Facts and Insights from "The Phoenix Project" The Three Ways: The first principle, known as "The flow of work from left to right," emphasizes the need for work to be visualized and flow smoothly from development to operations to the customer. The second principle, "Amplify feedback loops," underscores the importance of creating channels for necessary adjustments. The third principle, "Continual experimentation and learning," promotes a culture of continual experimentation, taking risks, and learning from failure. DevOps: The book emphasizes the critical role of DevOps in modern IT operations and how it can help businesses win. DevOps represents the integration of development and operations teams to deliver better, faster, and more reliable outcomes. IT as a competitive advantage: The book argues that IT is no longer just a support function but a strategic asset that can provide a competitive advantage when managed effectively. Importance of Visibility: The book stresses the importance of visibility in IT operations. It emphasizes the need for clear visibility of work-in-progress, flow, and feedback to reduce wastage and increase efficiency. Work in Progress (WIP): The book highlights the dangers of excessive WIP and how it can lead to burnout and inefficiency. It recommends limiting WIP to improve flow and efficiency. Technical Debt: The book discusses the concept of technical debt and how neglecting it can lead to long-term inefficiencies and increased costs. Value of IT operations: The book underscores the value that IT operations bring to a business, emphasizing the need for organizations to invest in their IT operations. Culture of Learning: The book advocates for a culture of learning where failures are seen as opportunities for learning, not blame. Infrastructure as Code (IaC): The book introduces the concept of Infrastructure as Code, a key DevOps practice that involves managing and provisioning computer data centers through machine-readable definition files, rather than physical hardware configuration or interactive configuration tools. Automation: The Phoenix Project highlights the importance of automation in reducing errors, freeing up human resources, and increasing efficiency and productivity. Managing Bottlenecks: The book discusses the Theory of Constraints and how managing bottlenecks in any process can improve overall performance. In-depth Analysis "The Phoenix Project" presents a compelling case for the integration of development and operations teams through a method known as DevOps. This critical shift in IT operations management can best be understood through the lens of The Three Ways. The first way emphasizes the need for work to flow smoothly from development to operations to the customer, a principle that is at the heart of DevOps. The second way underscores the importance of creating channels for necessary adjustments or feedback. This feedback loop is an integral part of the DevOps culture as it helps teams to identify and rectify issues promptly, thereby improving the quality of outcomes. The third way promotes a culture of continual experimentation, learning, and understanding that failure is a part of this process. The authors, Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford, argue convincingly that IT is no longer just a support function but a strategic asset that can provide a competitive advantage when managed effectively. This is a significant shift from traditional perspectives and places IT at the heart of business strategy. The book also emphasizes the importance of visibility in IT operations. It is essential to have clear visibility of work-in-progress, flow, and feedback to reduce wastage and increase efficiency. In this context, the book introduces the concept of technical debt, which refers to the future cost of correcting shortcuts taken in system development or maintenance today. If neglected, technical debt can lead to long-term inefficiencies and increased costs. One of the key insights from the book is the dangers of excessive Work in Progress (WIP). Too much WIP can lead to burnout and inefficiency. To address this, the authors recommend limiting WIP to improve flow and efficiency. This is a core principle of lean and agile methodologies, which aim to reduce waste and increase the delivery speed. The Phoenix Project also introduces the concept of Infrastructure as Code (IaC), a key practice in DevOps. IaC involves managing and provisioning computer data centers through machine-readable definition files, rather than physical hardware configuration or interactive configuration tools. This is a significant shift from traditional IT operations and provides a more efficient and reliable approach to managing infrastructure. Automation is another key theme in the book. The authors highlight the importance of automation in reducing errors, freeing up human resources, and increasing efficiency and productivity. This is a key practice in DevOps, where the aim is to automate as much of the software delivery pipeline as possible. Finally, the authors discuss the Theory of Constraints and how managing bottlenecks in any process can improve overall performance. This is an essential principle in operations management and is particularly relevant in the context of IT operations, where bottlenecks can significantly hinder the delivery speed. In conclusion, "The Phoenix Project" provides a compelling case for adopting DevOps and rethinking the role of IT in business strategy. The principles and practices discussed in the book have the potential to transform IT operations and help businesses win in a competitive environment.
ViewHooked - How to Build Habit-Forming Products
Nir Eyal
Key Facts and Insights from the Book The Hook Model: This is the central concept in the book, describing a four-step process that companies use to build customer habits: Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment. Triggers: These are cues that prompt the user into action. They can be external or internal, with internal triggers being more powerful as they are tied to emotions and thoughts. Action: This is the behavior performed in anticipation of a reward. The simpler the action, the more likely it is to occur. Variable Reward: The reward given after the action, which varies in nature to create a sense of unpredictability, thereby increasing user engagement. Investment: This is the user's contribution of time, data, effort, or money, which increases the likelihood of the user returning and repeating the cycle. Manipulation Matrix: This is a framework describing how products can be ethical or unethical based on whether they materially improve the user’s life and whether the maker would use the product. Habit testing: A process for identifying which elements of the Hook Model are working within a product and which are not. The role of frequency: The more frequently a user engages with a product, the more likely they are to form a habit around it. Behavioral design: The process of designing products to guide user behavior through the Hook Model. Importance of user psychology: Understanding user psychology is key to building habit-forming products. In-Depth Summary and Analysis "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal is a seminal work in the field of behavioral design and user engagement. The book provides a comprehensive guide for companies aiming to create products that are not just useful, but habit-forming. The central concept in the book is the Hook Model, a four-step process that companies use to build customer habits. This model involves a trigger, an action, a variable reward, and an investment. Triggers, acting as cues that prompt the user into action, are an essential first step in the Hook Model. They can be external, like notifications or emails, but the most powerful triggers are internal, tied to the user's emotions and thoughts. This concept aligns with numerous psychological theories, such as classical conditioning, where a conditioned stimulus triggers a conditioned response. The second step in the Hook Model is the Action. This is the behavior performed in anticipation of a reward. Eyal points out that the simpler the action is, the more likely it is to occur, corroborating Fogg's Behavior Model which posits that behavior happens when motivation, ability, and a trigger come together at the same time. The third step, Variable Reward, is perhaps the most intriguing. By varying the nature of the reward, companies can create a sense of unpredictability, thereby heightening user interest and engagement. This concept draws from B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory, which found that variable rewards are more engaging than predictable ones. The final step, Investment, is the user's contribution of time, data, effort, or money. This step not only increases the likelihood of the user returning and repeating the cycle, but also aligns with the psychological concept of the sunk cost fallacy, where people continue a behavior due to the investment they've already made. Beyond the Hook Model, Eyal introduces the Manipulation Matrix – a tool to help makers understand where their product stands ethically. He argues that if a product materially improves the user’s life and the maker would use it themselves, it can be considered ethical. The book also discusses the importance of Habit Testing – a process for identifying which elements of the Hook Model are working within a product and which are not. This iterative approach aligns with the Lean Startup methodology of build-measure-learn. Eyal also emphasizes the role of frequency in habit formation. He argues that the more frequently a user engages with a product, the more likely they are to form a habit around it. This reflects the psychological concept of repetition and reinforcement in habit formation. Finally, Eyal delves into the realm of behavioral design – the process of designing products to guide user behavior through the Hook Model. At the core of this process is understanding user psychology, which is key to building habit-forming products. Here, Eyal echoes the sentiment of many behavioral economists and psychologists, emphasizing the need to understand cognitive biases and heuristics that influence user behavior. In conclusion, "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" provides valuable insights into the principles of behavioral design, user psychology, and ethical manipulation. It offers a robust framework for creating habit-forming products, making it an essential read for anyone involved in product development, marketing, and user experience design.
ViewThe Goal - A Process of Ongoing Improvement
Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox
Key Insights from "The Goal - A Process of Ongoing Improvement" The Theory of Constraints: The book introduces the Theory of Constraints (TOC), a management paradigm that views any manageable system as being limited by a small number of constraints. Identifying Bottlenecks: Identifying and improving bottlenecks is integral for improving overall productivity. The book emphasizes that not every resource needs to be fully utilized. Measurements of Success: The three metrics for measuring success in a manufacturing organization are throughput, inventory, and operational expense. Dependency and Statistical Fluctuations: These two elements are significant in manufacturing processes and can cause delays and inefficiencies if not managed properly. Batch Sizes: Reducing batch sizes can significantly improve system performance by reducing cycle times and minimizing inventory. Process Improvement: Continuous improvement is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. It is an iterative process, not a one-time adjustment. The Five Focusing Steps: A systematic methodology for identifying and managing constraints in order to achieve the organization's goals. Goal of any Business: The ultimate goal of any business is to make money. All other measurements and activities should contribute to this end. Management Attention: The most important and often the most constraint resource in any organization is the attention of its management. Application of Scientific Method in Business: The book illustrates the use of the scientific method in business decision-making. Change Management: The book illustrates the difficulties and resistance to changing existing paradigms, even when they are clearly inefficient or unproductive. Detailed Analysis of the Book "The Goal - A Process of Ongoing Improvement" is a compelling work of fiction that delves into real-world business challenges and presents them in a relatable, easy-to-understand manner. The book revolves around the protagonist, Alex Rogo, who is a plant manager facing the threat of his plant being shut down. His journey to save his plant introduces the reader to the Theory of Constraints (TOC), a revolutionary management philosophy that can transform the way businesses operate. The Theory of Constraints is the backbone of the book. It posits that every system, including a manufacturing plant, is limited by a small number of constraints. The key to improving productivity is to identify these constraints, or bottlenecks, and address them. This counters traditional management thinking where the focus is on maximizing the efficiency of all resources. Identifying and improving bottlenecks is a recurring theme in the book. The protagonist realizes that by focusing on improving the throughput of the bottlenecks, he can improve the overall productivity of the plant. This is an important insight as it challenges the belief that every resource should be fully utilized. Instead, the focus should be on balancing the flow of the entire system. Measurements of success are another critical area the book addresses. Throughput, inventory, and operational expense are identified as the three key metrics for a manufacturing organization. Throughput is defined as the rate at which the system generates money through sales, inventory is all the money invested in the system in things intended for sale, and operational expense is all the money the system spends to convert inventory into throughput. Dependency and statistical fluctuations are two elements that are highlighted as significant in manufacturing processes. Dependency refers to the fact that the output from one process is input for another, and statistical fluctuations refer to the variation in time taken by different processes. These elements can create inefficiencies and delays if not managed properly. The book presents a powerful demonstration of these concepts through the 'Boy Scout hike' analogy. Reducing batch sizes is another crucial insight presented in the book. The traditional thinking is that larger batch sizes are more efficient. The book challenges this notion and demonstrates that reducing batch sizes can significantly improve system performance by reducing cycle times and minimizing inventory. The book also emphasizes the importance of continuous process improvement. It is portrayed as an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. It involves making incremental improvements over time, rather than implementing one-time, large-scale changes. The Five Focusing Steps are a systematic methodology for identifying and managing constraints. They include: Identify the system’s constraint, Decide how to exploit the system’s constraint, Subordinate everything else to the above decision, Elevate the system’s constraint, and If in the previous steps a constraint has been broken, go back to step one. The book reiterates that the ultimate goal of any business is to make money. All other measurements and activities should contribute to this end. This reframes the perspective on efficiency and productivity, shifting the focus from resource utilization to throughput maximization. One of the more subtle but important points made in the book is the value of management attention. The book depicts that the most important and often the most constraint resource in any organization is the attention of its management. This is a powerful concept that resonates with many readers. The book also illustrates the application of the scientific method in business. The protagonist uses the scientific method to identify the plant's problems, formulate hypotheses, and test them. This systematic approach to problem-solving is a valuable lesson for all managers and leaders. Lastly, the book deals with change management. It illustrates the difficulties and resistance to changing existing paradigms, even when they are clearly inefficient or unproductive. The protagonist's struggles with implementing changes in his plant underscore the importance of effective change management. In summary, "The Goal - A Process of Ongoing Improvement" provides a powerful and practical framework for improving business performance. Its unique storytelling approach makes complex business concepts accessible and relatable. It challenges traditional management thinking and provides insights that are applicable in many business scenarios, making it a must-read for anyone involved in business management or leadership.
ViewCloud Computing For Dummies
Judith S. Hurwitz, Robin Bloor, Marcia Kaufman, Fern Halper
Key Insights from "Cloud Computing For Dummies" Understanding Cloud Computing: The authors provide a comprehensive guide to the concept of cloud computing, its evolution and its importance in the modern digital world. Types of Cloud Services: Different cloud service models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)—are explained thoroughly. Benefits of Cloud Computing: The authors highlight the multitude of benefits that cloud computing brings to businesses such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and flexibility. Cloud Security: An in-depth discussion on cloud security, its challenges, and solutions is provided, making it crucial for those concerned about data security. Cloud Deployment Models: Public, private, and hybrid clouds are explained in detail, helping businesses decide which model suits them the best. Cloud Service Providers: The book offers a comprehensive guide to choosing the right cloud service provider, including a discussion on some of the leading providers in the market. Implementation of Cloud Computing: The authors provide a step-by-step guide to successfully implementing cloud computing within an organization. Future of Cloud Computing: The book concludes with a look at the future of cloud computing, including its potential impact and upcoming trends. Role of Cloud Computing in Big Data and IoT: The authors underline how cloud computing plays a crucial role in managing big data and powering the Internet of Things (IoT). Case Studies: The book includes numerous case studies and real-world examples to illustrate the practical applications of cloud computing. An In-Depth Analysis of "Cloud Computing For Dummies" Understanding Cloud Computing: The authors start with a clear and concise explanation of cloud computing. This foundational knowledge is essential for anyone looking to understand this complex field. They delve into the history, evolution, and the importance of cloud computing in the current digital era. Cloud computing is no longer a buzzword, it's a necessity for businesses to stay competitive and innovative in today's fast-paced digital environment. Types of Cloud Services: The book provides an in-depth explanation of the various types of cloud services, namely Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). These models are the backbone of cloud computing, and understanding them is crucial for anyone looking to implement cloud-based solutions in an organization. Benefits of Cloud Computing: The authors highlight the numerous benefits of cloud computing, including cost-efficiency, scalability, flexibility, and the ability to focus on core business operations. These benefits can significantly impact the growth and success of a business. Cloud Security: One of the most important topics covered in the book is cloud security. The authors do an excellent job of explaining the security risks associated with cloud computing and how to mitigate them. They provide practical solutions to ensure data security, which is a fundamental concern for any organization moving to the cloud. Cloud Deployment Models: The book explains the various cloud deployment models, i.e., public, private, and hybrid clouds. This deep dive into the different types of clouds helps businesses decide which model is best suited to their needs. Cloud Service Providers: In their book, the authors provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the right cloud service provider. They discuss some of the leading providers in the market, including their strengths and weaknesses, to help businesses make an informed decision. Implementation of Cloud Computing: Perhaps one of the most practical sections of the book is the step-by-step guide to implementing cloud computing within an organization. The authors provide a roadmap to ensure a smooth transition to the cloud. Future of Cloud Computing: The book concludes with a look at the future of cloud computing, including its potential impact and upcoming trends. This foresight is essential for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve and leverage the power of cloud computing to its full potential. Role of Cloud Computing in Big Data and IoT: The authors underline the critical role of cloud computing in managing big data and powering the Internet of Things (IoT). This insight into how cloud computing intersects and integrates with other leading-edge technologies is invaluable. Case Studies: The book includes numerous case studies and real-world examples, which bring the theoretical concepts to life. These practical applications of cloud computing help readers understand how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios. In conclusion, "Cloud Computing For Dummies" is a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing cloud computing. The authors, with their extensive experience and expertise, have created a book that is both informative and practical. It's a must-read for anyone looking to leverage the power of cloud computing in their organization.
View