New Age Software project Management: Navigating the Technological revolution

by Harshad Acharya

Are you a software engineering student? Are you aspiring a career in software? Are you a software professional planning to elevate your role to the 'Software Project Manager' or ' Program Manager'? Are you a practicing Software Project Manager wanting to enrich your knowledge and skills?

If your answer to any of these questions is 'Yes', then this book is definitely a 'must-read' for you.

This book is a simple and practical guide for all the professionals in the Information Technology and Project Management field. Humankind is on the verge of a technological revolution named Industry 4.0 with the advent of an exhilarating amalgamation of technologies poised to lead a paradigm shift in the human race of the 21st century. The author has articulated the wisdom gained from his vast professional experience in this book in simple and lucid language. Going beyond the theory, the author focusses on the practical aspects of the practice of software project management, intentionally staying away from the technical and managerial jargon.

Developing a storyline of an IT consultancy company winning a big project, the author takes the readers on an exciting journey of Software Project Management in the new age of cutting-edge technologies revolutionizing all the fields of human life. Gururaj, the central character, conducts knowledge-sharing sessions as a mentor to his junior teammates. Gururaj discusses the practical aspects of software development project management beginning from the project kick-off meeting, requirement analysis, architecture design, development, testing and go-live phases of a software project. Starting with conventional software development and the basics of project management, Gururaj helps the readers peep into the future. The author guides the readers with his mantra of success- HAT OF SLAVE.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2023

Reviews

[Lalit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever felt like peeping into the author's memoir when you read that author's book? Exactly what I felt throughout. Such a wonderful book

[Rinku · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was well written and the characters are so gud.. The relationship between the friends wer written so beautifully and ending was also nice..

[Kiran K Adharapuram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a techie and having spent ample time in the Software Industry, I have always had the ambition to excel in my career in People Management. With the successful execution of tons of projects within the team and outside, I always discern the missing chunks that deeply affected my deliverables.

With too many courses, knowledge treasures, online classes, and course materials that are available to explore, I felt difficulty in absorbing the content due to plenty of reasons and these diverged to the point called "Captivating Interaction" during the content espousal.

Harshad's NEW AGE Software Project Management broke the conventional format of knowledge presentation, Author took the help of protagonist Gururaj, head of the Portfolio Management Division, 'NextGen Consultants Limited'of Navi Mumbai to expound the concepts to his peers Nachiket, Pranali, Shreya and so on.

With a tinge of wit and carrying humongous experience in the field of ERP and FIN space, Gururaj marvels at the opportunity to win the reputation of Panacea Medico Inc. by not only adapting the Project Management dexterity but also upskilling his teammates to taste the success of delivering "Digital Transformation Project" on-time and error-free/Zero tolerant.

The author earnestly presented every concept that falls under the techniques of Project management with ease, Commendable granularity is something to be highlighted in this book that kept me glued while reading. He bestowed the cognizance and proficiency that he attained in his 25+ years of professional with the only motive of "Keep It Simple". Transforming the theoretical info into adaptable real-life examples is a key takeaway for readers like me in this book.

I am delighted to say, that this book was an undoubted helping aid to my recently led project, I was able to successfully apply most of the dealt concepts viz., practices, managing techniques, test cases, deployments, and Go-Live scenarios. All credit to Harshad Acharda for making me feel comfortable and adapting myself to the concepts and insights of Project Management aligning with Industry 4.0

[Dev Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Title: Must read for anyone looking to understand the ins and outs of software project management

"This book by author Harshad Acharya is a refreshing take on the often dry subject of project management. Instead of a conventional textbook, Acharya tells the story of Gururaj, a seasoned software professional, guiding his team through the ups and downs of a software project. I found this narrative approach incredibly engaging and relatable.

Gururaj’s journey begins with the project’s inception, and we see him tackle every phase with wisdom and practicality. His interactions with his team and juniors are filled with insights that blend technical acumen with soft skills. From planning and risk management to navigating team dynamics and handling unexpected challenges, the story covers a comprehensive range of topics.

Acharya skillfully intertwines project management principles with the unfolding story. This not only makes the learning process enjoyable but also provides a clear picture of how certain concepts apply in real-life scenarios.

The fictional tale makes the lessons more memorable and easier to understand. By following Gururaj’s journey, I gained a deeper appreciation for the nuances of software project management and felt more prepared to face similar challenges in my own career. "New Age Software Project Management" is a must-read for anyone looking to grasp the complexities of managing software projects in an engaging and practical way.

[Anu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers an insightful journey into the evolving landscape of software project management. As a software student, I found the author’s approach refreshingly practical and deeply relevant to modern industry demands. The book adeptly bridges theory with real-world application in a fictional narrative, offering clear frameworks and strategies that resonate with the challenges we face in software development today.
Through the story of Gururaj, the lead in this cleverly devised story, Harshad Acharya skillfully navigates through crucial topics such as agile methodologies, risk management, and team dynamics. His emphasis on adaptive planning and continuous improvement reflects the agile mindset crucial for success in today's fast-paced tech environment.
Moreover, the writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts understandable without oversimplifying. Whether you're new to software project management or seeking to deepen your understanding, this book serves as an invaluable guide that equips you with practical tools and knowledge while telling you an entertaining story.

[Steve Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trustworthy guide to multilevel management of software projects

Through various mentoring sessions on software project management, the narrator uses storytelling approach to tackle various issues. He starts by differentiating between project, program and portfolio management and then goes on to whip out the clever strategy of wearing the 'HAT OF SLAVE'. Well, I'm not going to tell you what the pnemonic is but it is definitely useful for entrepreneurs, team members and managers across many niches. As the story moves along, the members of the narrator Gururaj's team discuss about PIP/PEP and the important points of the documentation process.
If you haven't yet read this book, I would recommend you to definitely try it, in the words of Gururaj "Shubhasya sheeghram"!

[ROOHAHNA SALIM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Title: Thorough treatment of the subject

The book discusses several dimensions that team leaders and project managers should take care of during handling of a project like project scheduling, team organisation,budget control, procurement and contract management plan, testing strategies like regression and stress testing, and ‘Verify and Validate Early' technique. I liked that Risk management and various factors are also taken into account as it can lead to a lot of delays and losses if tackled in an improper way. I would like to thank the author for the rigorous explanation in a reader- friendly, conversational tone that makes it simple for even novices in this field.

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Breezy read

Never thought that a niche subject could be presented in such a fun way! The author has written the book with plenty of storytelling, graphic, and humor enfused techniques bringing in characters in form of team members, managers and leaders who are relatable and ask relevant questions. I was cracking up at funny dialogues like "“So guys, the Project Manager is the single head to chop or a single throat to choke. Am I right?”
The dialogues are well paced and attention to topics like Requirement analysis and expectation management made the book stand out for me. I'd say that it was a complete book in all respects for me.

[Rohit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book recently and the thing that really got my attention was how easily and in a very uncomplicated language all the concepts of software project management has been described. It's basically a story in which all the steps and processes of teamwork and analysis has been juxtaposed. I've hardly ever read a book about software applications and project management skills told such easily. All the characters that the author invented to explain the many stages of project management and the emphasis on his mantr of hat of slave. This is a book for any software engineering student or professional and I'm glad I found this. Will recommend to my friends as well.

[Somnath Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be really entertaining. Honestly had never thought I'll say this about a book that's primarily a guide to software management and project management. But the masterstroke here by the author has been to tell it like a story. From the basics to the advanced, everything has been told in a simple, easy to understand, jargon-less way. That's what makes this an outstanding book. The story of Guru and NextGen and the way the "Big Project" has been integrated into the narrative to educate the reader about software project management is commendable. If you're a professional or aspiring professional in this field, do give this book a try. It won't disappoint you.

[Mousumi Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction book written in a fictional way. At the very outset the author describes the central character(s), the setting, the company, and the backstories of each. The book deals with software project management and as someone who is pursuing PMP, I found it to be very relevant to me and helpful to my future aspirations. I will definitely give it a re-read to better understand all the concepts, tricks, and solutions of software management as has been enunciated by the author here like software estimation, code review, and the many levels of software testing and verification. There's indeed a lot to learn from this volume.

[Life Changer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having to manage a software project always seems like a headache. Thankfully, this book manages to take the reader on a journey with the story of team members led by the narrator who explains the nitty gritties of the task, broken down into easy to understand components. He even focusses on how various stakeholders shall communicate within the project. From planning to execution of the project, and even describing the project kick-off meeting, the complete roadmap is laid out systematically with effective delegation of roles within the team. Loved the presentation of this book!

[Prashant · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many new and interesting concepts highlighted in this book that really make you think. But really believe me I am stunned to read this wonderful unbelievable story. The presentation of the story is awesome. I know, everybody will love it and here I am reviewing it anyway. When you start reading this one, you cannot control your mind.

[Vishal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything in the book was amazing. The way the story progresses was excellent revealing minute hints every now and then but the end was totally unexpected. The author's idea of telling the story from different person's views was good.Finally if you are a person who loves thriller and patient enough not to skip pages you can definitely go for it.

[Vishwajet Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on Project Management

It is an excellent book on Project Management with easy to understand language and references to live world example. It makes one navigate through the different scenarios and their solution. Must read for all Project Management professional

[Jitender · Rating 4 out of 5]

The presentation of the story is awesome. The book brings out new definitions and new unnoticed things and as a reader, I've been finding myself turning impressed with the work of author on narrating a different book where everyone is bringing out similar stories.

[Kosal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind blowing storyline, each chapter of this book is full of action and The author has done the narration very well. I loved the way story is narrated, each situation is excellently penned. The way author has smartly narrated the story that holds and speaks about such an is applauding.

[Brun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover art of the book is intriguing and will grab your attention quickly in the same way the storyline captivates the readers. The author does a good job in terms of narration and building the theme of the overall story.

[Pavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book brings out new definitions and new unnoticed things and as a reader, I've been finding myself turning impressed with the work of author on narrating a different book where everyone is bringing out similar stories.

[Rahul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has written this so well that one could literally experience the spine of the story and the motive behind it. This will be listed in the great book of all time.
I can bet you, you cannot imagine about the story and specially about the turns in the story. Brilliant, masterpiece work.

[Rohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so true to its name which takes you above all the clouds and find your dreams.It helps to make the most of our highest calibre.Book explains things and life events through the story and it is easy to remember all the time.

[Arun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased as a birthday present for a close friend who loves detective stories. Sherlock Holmes is, without doubt, the basis for all detective stores be they on radio, TV or digital media. I would dearly have loved to buy this volume for myself but they are expensive.

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have started reading the book, every thing; from the quality of Book to the letters, everything is awesome! The paper quality for me matches with the story's timeline well, like, but it can increase your vocabulary, so buy it without thinking.

[Rohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for a nice price
This book is a good read with value for money price. I am enjoying my summer reading the book.Good book. The story is good but the quality of the pages is very poor and two pages were torn

[Deepak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I haven't started reading yet but I believe it's gonna be awesome. And this is in pretty good condition but one thing is the thickness of the pages is kinda thin than the last time I ordered. But it's not a big problem and bothers me.😍😍😍

[Neeraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I need to explain the work . The novel is seriously one of the best books I have read in my entire life time. The book was packed carefully and hence it reached to me without any scratches. The paper is a bit of low quality but otherwise everything is great.

[Kuldeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has done a great job of putting together this riveting story line and the characters are so well-developed, it’s like each one of them has come alive! I have seldom read such an amazing book like this.

[Arun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I want to wish you to do best for your life.....
And about the book
I start reading your book because I want some push or something positive for life. And I think I have some.
So thank you so much.

[Chotu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, characters will stick on your mind and grabs ur attention at every single page. U can't even stop reading while the twists and questions will knot mind up to the end. It's a great time of reading this book.

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot of the story was excellent as I can't stop to read it but the ending part was not up to the mark, it seems like narrater wants to end the story so she quickly add the characters and end the story..