I am now PMP-certified
Posted by: vishaltayal on: July 28, 2009
I am happy to announce that I passed my PMP exam yesterday.
The entire process of studying for this exam and exploring the invaluable inputs, tools, techniques and outputs of the various project management process groups/knowledge areas were real eye openers to me.
PMI has done an exceptional job of compiling proven best practices from around the world into a de-facto project management standard. The 200 question and four hour long PMP exam targets two aspects of learning: knowledge and practice. Most questions in the exam relate to “real world” situations and assess not just expertise but also the ability to apply it in real-life situations.
A key ingredient for innovation in any field is the ability to get ideas and approaches from outside our comfort zone. This is where PMP provides that extra edge by helping us consolidate wisdom from diverse areas.
Also, maintaining the PMP credential beyond 3 years requires 60 PDUs (professional development units). Therefore, PMPs need to stay updated with new skills through continous learning.
Here are my key learnings during the process of becoming a PMP-
- Stabilize the environment, allowing work to shift from perpetual firefighting to more proactive work that addresses the root causes of problems.
- Electrify the fence in order to keep everyone accountable and responsible for playing by the rules.
- Goal should be to reduce the amount of time spent on unplanned work, by reducing the number of self-inflicted problems and modifying how problems are solved.
- Awareness is better than being oblivious, and managed is better than unmanaged. Start with a particular class of changes and constantly refine the process.
- DON’T sit in the office all day, crunching numbers and sifting through data. The ability to analyze data in order to spot trends or hot spots is an important skill for project managers.
The Power of Dance
Posted by: vishaltayal on: July 1, 2009
We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams. Dancing is like dreaming with your feet! It’s what I always did…the laughter, the fun, the joy of dance. Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another. As aptly said : “Dance isn’t a form it’s a way of life”
To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking. The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word. There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.
Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Dance like nobody’s looking. To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. Why not dance yourself rather than look at others. You never know, your two left feet may tap the poem of your heart, which even words could not speak.
Dance, an Art Form
The Body, an Instrument
Learn To Play The Instrument
So You Can Master The Art Form
–Attributed to Debbie Dee.
While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance. Play the music, my feet will tap… my hands will swing. Even if I cry, dance can lift me high. I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself. Its the best way to let my feelings out, express my inner-self and elevate my spirits. What I feel, is on my face. Without dance I cannot feel my soul, hear my heart, or see my dreams.
Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor. Move your body, he could fall in love. Offer a dance, the girl could be yours. Play the rythm, it may turn into a festive celebration. On your heart-beat, the Lord will dance on his two feet. If you wanna compete, dance seems to be the best feat.
Dance is indeed, the hidden language of the soul.
Disclaimer: This beautiful narrative on dance was shared with me by one of my colleagues and is not my self creation.
The Birthday Paradox
Posted by: vishaltayal on: June 29, 2009
Woke up in the morning today to birthday calls and greetings from friends and family. Another year has passed in this beautiful journey of life. A lot of things have changed and probably, there are many things that will never change!
It’s my first birthday in this new city that I now call home- the bustling new metropolis of South India called Bangalore. Known as the Silicon Valley of India, this city is home to some of the largest IT companies from around the world.
We (myself and my twin) were born on a Friday on the 180th day of the year. Our birth coincided with the premiere of one of the most successful James Bond movies- “Moonraker” starring Roger Moore in the United States.
On surfing the web, I also found out that there is a concept in probability theory known as the Birthday Paradox. It states that in a set of randomly chosen people, some pair of them will have the same birthday. This probability is more than 99% for a group of 57 people or more! You can read more about it here. Read the rest of this entry »
Sify Fraudband- India’s Unreliable Internet
Posted by: vishaltayal on: May 22, 2008
If you planning to get new broadband connection, steer clear of Sify Broadband.
While their tariff plans may sound very attractive compared to other ISPs, their business model is purely based on cheating customers & unreliable service. The network keeps on going down every now and then & the customer care number “mysteriously” stops responding during such occasions.
Also, the tariff plans are not what they seem to be. Sify does seem to offer some ‘Night Unlimited Plans’ that should allow unlimited downloads from10 PM to 8 AM. However, you will be amazed to discover your plan abruptly expiring earlier than its stipulated duration. When asked, Sify customer care will give you stupid reasons, never accepting that this is a problem with their billing system!
My personal saga with Sify Broadband
My Sify plan- 400 MB with Night Unlimited unexpectedly expired after just 15 days, despite the fact that I always downloaded after 10 PM. When I contacted Sify Customer Care, I was told to write to customercare@sify.com.
They kept on sending me automated replies, giving me details of my plan, without even bothering to read my mail! After I sent them a strong mail demanding an explanation, an executive from Sify called me & told me that I had logged in at 9:59:40 PM instead of 10 PM (20 seconds earlier!). Therefore, the entire session was considered as “before 10 PM” session & deducted from my 400 MB limit!!
After hearing his “irrational” explanation, I asked him if the opposite of this situation would also hold true. If I connect, let’s say at 10:30 PM & do not log out till 11 AM the next day, would that entire session be considered as “10 PM to 8 AM” session, allowing me to make unlimited downloads till I have logged out. He categorically replied “No” & told me that MBs will start getting deducted from my account as soon as I cross 8 AM in the morning.
So why does the same rule not apply at night? As soon as person crosses 10 PM (which was 20 seconds away in my case), MBs should stop getting deducted from the account.
To summarize, Sify Broadband can go to any extent in trying to make extra money, even if it means indulging in unethical billing & making a fool of their customers. One thing still remains to be seen, how long can such devious business practices continue! Probably, till the time when monopoly of such ISPs in specific areas ends & people have better choices.
Your comments & experiences are welcome!
Horoscopes Rule Indian Weddings
Posted by: vishaltayal on: March 29, 2007
It is astounding to note that even so-called educated & modern people of India believe in mind-numbing superstitions and harmful pseudo-sciences. One such pseudoscience called “Jyotish” (Indian Astrology) dictates vital decisions in our society like whom to marry, on which day and at what time! It also dictates whom not to marry using some ridiculous concepts of guna-matching (compatibility score), grahas (planetary positions), doshas (negative effect) etc.
1. The first point of validation, especially in arranged marriages, is the concept of “Manglik Dosha”. This dosha is said to happen if you are born in the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house of astro-chart. Jyotish dictates that a manglik should marry another manglik only otherwise all hell can break loose (accident, death of partner, financial problems and what not!). As a result of this belief, parents of non-manglik son/daughter will outrightly refuse a manglik groom/bride even if all other conditions are favorable.
2. Once manglik criteria is met, the future of matrimonial alliance now depends on guna-matching. Indian astrologers strongly advise against any wedding (often citing dire consequences) if guna-matching score is less than 18 (out of a total of 36). Even if you passed both manglik and guna-matching tests, there are some other absurd doshas like kalsarpa dosha, naga dosha etc. that can still hamper the alliance!
3. For many of these doshas, there are so-called remedies available wherein you need to squander thousands of valuable bucks on performing religious ceremonies or buying so-called auspicious stones etc. which are said to either cancel or reduce the negative effects of such doshas. This precious money can definitely be used elsewhere for much better purposes.
Our media is also proliferating this nonsense by beaming many programs on sun-signs, lucky stones, numerology and what not! The most noteworthy thing about such damaging practices is that they come wrapped in the fancy dress of following Indian culture & tradition!
Jyotish appeals to so many people because it addresses their longing for emotional comfort & guidance in midst of all the uncertainty. Many believers who say jyotish works are under “Faith creates it own verification” effect. They believe, follow & make it happen through their own actions or interpretations.
As a great poet once remarked –
The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves.
Hello DTH TV, Hello Tata Sky!
Posted by: vishaltayal on: December 21, 2006
DTH (Direct-to-Home) enables you to receive satellite programs on your regular TV using a mini-dish and STB (set-top box). There are currently 3 DTH players in the Indian market – DD Direct+, Dish TV and Tata Sky.
With DD Direct+, you just need to pay for the equipment (Rs. 3,000 maximum). There are no activation charges or monthly dues. However, the bouquet of channels and radio stations is limited to free-to-air i.e. 19 DD channels, 14 private channels and 12 radio channels (all are ‘All India Radio’ only).
With Dish TV, you need to shell out approx. Rs. 3,500 for the equipment and then pay Rs. 180-300 per month to receive 85-125 channels (includes most of the popular channels in India including all Star and Zee channels).
With Tata Sky, the equipment initially costs Rs. 4,000. Then, the monthly dues are Rs. 300 to receive 110 channels. Channel lineup is similar to Dish TV. However, it is the quality of equipment and customer service that is attracting so many people to Tata Sky. Read the rest of this entry »
Mumbai Monsoon Madness
Posted by: vishaltayal on: July 6, 2006
It’s that time of the year again when monsoon unleashes its fury over Mumbai. No one can tame these clouds when they burst over the metropolis. July is the month when Mumbai and its suburbs receive the most rain.
The highest rainfall measuring 944 mm was recorded last year on 26/07/05. The ensuing chaos and floods claimed 1,000 lives and exposed Mumbai’s shoddy constructions, corruption and lamentable infrastructure. Read the rest of this entry »
How to be assertive?
Posted by: vishaltayal on: May 25, 2006
I got a chance to attend the Assertiveness Workshop by Dr. K. Ranganathan. Below are some of the his tips on ‘how to be assertive’ in our everyday lives.
Assertive Behavior is all about being
- Emotionally honest
- Direct
- Self-enhancing
- Expressive
Intercultural Communication
Posted by: vishaltayal on: May 25, 2006
I recently conducted a knowledge sharing session on Intercultural Communication. Would like to share some of the key thoughts from the session here-
- Culture is a set of learnt beliefs, values and behaviors. Anyone who feels that his/her culture is the best and natural way of doing things is being ethnocentric.
- People from different cultures encode and decode messages differently, increasing the chances of misunderstanding, so the ’safest’ consequence of recognizing cultural differences should be to assume that everyone’s thoughts and actions are not just like ours.
- Ethnocentrism is one of the biggest barriers to Intercultural Communication as gaining intercultural skills requires open-mindedness, awareness & practice.
MTNL – India’s telecom nightmare!
Posted by: vishaltayal on: April 26, 2006
The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) is a government owned telecom provider in the cities of Delhi and Mumbai in India.
Where private operators like Reliance and Tata Indicom provide you with a new connection within hours, the speed of getting a new connection from MTNL depends solely on the persistence of your follow-ups and your willingness to pay baksheesh. And yes, you need to find time and personally go to your local telephone exchange as MTNL Customer Service Department DOES NOT entertain any letters or telephone calls! Read the rest of this entry »
