Quarter 5 - Week of Exams

This is probably the first quarter where I wasn't in shivers/fervently praying that I should pass. Probably due to a lack of quant based electives (either in finance or operations), I had quite little to actually mug up and run over. It was just about going over readings, trying to remember important notes/learnings, and second guessing where the questions might come from. Was wrong on all of them. But the exams themselves were quite different, one due to a prof with an innovative style of testing, another due to a prof who's serious about reflection, and a third due to a prof who's just had plain misfortune despite setting a remarkable paper.

MSP - Despite going through all the articles, I wasn't ready for what was about to happen. We actually had a case study that we had a full two hours to analyse. I confess that somebody who'd done brilliantly in our Strategy course in first quarter would probably have aced this test. I mean, we had the standard set of metrics with some additional ones that we learnt out here during this quarter. I was really expecting some brief answer types on "What's your take on Software Testing?" (To which I was not prepared), and "Give some spiel on Agile and when you would recommend it against Waterfall?" (To which I was vaguely prepared) etc. Anyway, I just submitted my scores and prayed to God that I get atleast a B. I'll need that for my electives going forward! Oh, and of course, it will tell me that I can be a halfway decent 'manager' who can blind his superiors by throwing numbers in their face while telling them why we estimated so high for the project.

LOC - Again, reading through all the articles, I was so sure that I was gonna be caught stunned (like the proverbial deer in the vehicle's headlights... why dont they run away again?) and that I'd have to rely on my inordinate ability to manufacture and string together words that would somehow convince the prof that I had an inkling of understanding of what I was saying. I was pleasantly surprised to find that we were asked to (amongst other options) summarize our learnings from the two books assigned to us for reading. We had already had enough time to reflect on our learnings, so we were able to easily make stuff up and put it on that. In addition, there was a simulation, if I can call it that, asking us to prioritize certain actions that we would take with regard to a situation. This used quite a bit from all our learning, so I could get away by saying that it was a "holistic experience" (Look Mommy, big words!). Writing this blog really helps me write spiel(hey, it's meaningful too!) a little more comfortably.

PM - Now this paper was more like what we've been seeing over the past four quarters. Some kind of mixing of whatever we've learnt and even then absolutely no clue on how to best attempt it (Caution: Average student talking here. Best students have already decided what marks they're getting when they see the paper, and are tweaking here and there to get more). Interestingly, the most important part of the paper, the exhibits, had mysteriously gotten delayed. This hasn't happened before! So our poor prof sitting in the New Delhi airport terminus doesn't have a copy that he can scan and send across, assuming he can find an internet connection there to send it from! So he came up with a different solution. One of the questions revolved around a case study (for which he had told us that he'd be expecting we prepare thoroughly and come forth with insights based on the question he phrases). This didnt need any other exhibits. So the whole paper was now only one question. And he clearly stated to go the entire mile, and explain in a detailed and yet direct manner as to what steps ought to be taken. Now this isn't an unheard solution. Some profs give question papers with only one question. It's a different thing altogether that the prof was forced to take this option without considering it as the actual paper.

Obviously, when the prof says study "THIS case", I misheard it as "THAT case". So when the case name is different, I spent half an hour reading the given case to analyse it. Time was enough, so I'm not complaining.

A very different exam week, one that will remain in my mind atleast till the next quarter begins. Oh, btw, 50% is done. I can tell my manager that I'm half-baked and ready to give half-assed solutions to all his problems. I can't wait to set the revenue to half of what it used to be! Wish my luck, half-heartedly! (Yes, I know, I'm just half-mad).

Quarter 5 - Week 10

The thunderclouds that were on the horizon last week, finally hung right over us this week. Literally too. It rained/drizzled through the weekend, and you had this constant urge that "Yaar, let's just chill for an hour.. the weather's nice". But after one year of successfully holding all temptations at bay, I can successfully, proudly and miserably say that we sat still and did our assignments/ projects/ test preparations. This weekend saw a bunch of PGSEM students yawning more than normal, far more red eyes, and a huge queue at the printer in the Computer Lab. We can take a guess at how badly it affected the latter, as when I asked the support staff at the CompLab to help me with the Novell login (we need this to print out stuff), he just muttered "Aiyyo, these PGSEM students..". While the manager-in-progress in me was sufficiently infuriated, the engineer in me was subsequently humbled bigtime when the required action was completed in three very-easy-to-do already-explained-before-five-times steps. Took the printout for the last project of this quarter, and beat a hasty retreat vowing to understand the damn login system next time.

MSP - The first session dealt with software metrics, and why they were necessary. I thought it was nice that this came at the end of the course, because when you ask yourself each week "Why the hell am I studying this?", at the end there's a "Aah! So that's why I studied all of that..". It's a perfect way to make you look at the entire subject from a high overview, so you realize the importance of all of the learning you went through for the last ten weeks. The last session had a quiz based on what seemed like half the course content, probably meant to remind you that you should study for the exam, and so I very proudly look at my 10% score thinking "If I leave this prep for the last day I'm so definitely screwed." I think our profs like to remind us just how dumb and ill-prepared we are. Their own way of saying "Just because you got in here didn't make you super-awesome. Morons.". Anyway, the course ended on a very good note, not much complaints or suggestions on what to improve next quarter. This was one course that was handed to us on a silver platter, considering we have just been taught what we should do at work everyday. No marketing, leadership, finance fundas... just plain ol' project management, done right with stats and metrics.

LOC - Both the sessions were presentation sessions based on the book we were supposed to read - "The India Way". You should read it too! It makes you feel good about the way Indians work. The subliminal message of what we need to improve on requires more reflection, but even if you don't get it, you will atleast have understood what many of India's current leaders think and believe about us. Assuming that nobody had read the book, this week they had for certain assimilated the gist of the book. Every batch came forward, every batch explained their understanding of the India Way and every batch took longer than the time they were assigned. Oh, we Indians! (false laughter and disapproving smile/grimace), We will never understand the concept of time... Either it is our "baap ka maal", or we have very important stuff to share with the world since enlightenment just dawned on us, and only we hold the true key to life in the future. Yes, I was pissed here! We could have finished everything in one hour and gone home! But no, we sat, we listened, we yawned, and then we left.

Leaving the last week aside, I thought there was enough interesting material this quarter on what constitutes effective leadership, and how we can enable people to not just work but be empowered. Make leaders and followers out of everyone. That's what I took away.

PM - I would just do a copy-paste here. While we atleast had the mercy of the presentations in LOC being done in two distinct 1.5 hour sessions, this was a long drawn three hours! Dont get me wrong, I liked listening about what the different companies do with their products, but listening to product diffusion and the Kano models 10 times just makes you go "Why dont we have other models? The Kano model is just dripping out of my head now!" Luckily, there was a semblance of time control, as one of our classmates enthusiastically and loudly reminded each presenter that "YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES LEFT!" or my absolute favourite "TIME UP!!! (Pause for a second) TIME UP!!! (See if presenter is ignoring you) TIIIIMMMMMEEEE UUUPPPPPP!!!". Very effective. At the last one, the presenter finally gives an acknowledgement and wraps up in under 30 seconds! I wonder if people were just struggling to stay propped up in their chairs when the last presenter came on. I know I was. Finally, after that, the prof also came up and you could see the happiness on his face. He thanked us for our participation (apparently we were the most involved class thus far, woohoo! Awesome!! Yes, it dawns on me that he might be telling it to all his classes...) and then proceeded to give us a very short comment on how he wished a better future of us. And then... wrap!

I have never seen a class empty up that quickly at the end.

On to the final leg of the journey and into the storm! Exams next week!

Quarter 5 - Week 9

The penultimate week of classes, and even after having two guest lectures, an entrepreneurship fest on the side, the soft-closing of one of the three subjects, there is a nagging feeling that all of it was oh-so-ordinary.

MSP - We had a couple of guys (actually one guy and one gal) come over from Thoughtworks and explain the Mingle tool to us. Either the prof must have thought that we (being the lazy bums that we are) wouldn't be exploring the tool, or he thought spread the word about tools like Mingle. In any case, it was a pretty good thing to do... they took the class with aplomb! Sometimes, I wonder what's going through their mind. The fact that they're talking at IIMB to a bunch of apparently "high-value" students (information asymmetry at its best), must definitely want to make them ask for a promotion or hike at office. Or maybe they have loftier achievements in life, and are hopefully not truly living out the delusions that I have.

The next session was about Software Testing. The prof took us on a recap of the readings of the day, and before we knew it, the class was over. But throughout, I couldnt help thinking that he was pulling a Trojan Horse on us. He was still quite hung up on metrics, and how that should define how we run our projects. I wouldn't be surprised if we one day saw a paper that explains the exact way to estimate project, complete with the dels and the phis.

LOC - The first day was a pure discussion on how to handle the difficult parts of running a company - the restructuring effort, and how you would communicate the message to the others in the company. We pulled out all the plugs on compassion and ethics, etc. in this one.

The next session, surprisingly, skips my mind. I briefly recollect something about how the company should handle the transition after delivering bad news like job losses and continuing by tracking the changes implemented in the system.

Anyway, after the class - feedback forms were distributed. Now, this is a little out of the standard protocol. We all remember that just before / after the last class, survey forms are brought in to give feedback on the subject and the prof. This is typically added with applause. Those who like the guy will give a standing ovation, those who dont think the same will politely acknowledge his hard work.

In any case, our prof was pretty good - and when giving the standing ovation by the majority, a simple smile came on his face, and he reciprocated by acknowledging it lightly. It feels good when you make someone else happy, his smile was worth it.

PM - We spoke about brand management. I really dont remember any ahaah moments from this. But in session 2, we had the former director in a large apparel brand come and talk to us about the role of a brand manager. While everything went fine, sometimes you still feel like sometihng's missing. That's what it felt like. Oh well... quarter's almost done.

And even after all the classes, all the students could be seen scurrying towards the EB lounge to put the starting touches on their assignments. Too bad that we had the Eximius fest running at the same time. The only slot we could attend was the Panel Discussion on Going Green. A few interesting personalities, and you enjoy listening to what they have to say. Kind of reminds you that talking from a position of power, isn't that easy to imagine. You really have to see it, to understand it.

I'm way too sleepy too. I think I remember four rambles in this post. And the eternal question rises again: What did I drag myself into?

Quarter 5 - Week 8

The excitement that surrounded this week pretty much drowned out the thunder of impending doom. The juniors (I keep thinking of kids concentrating on their gold-digging activities, wonder why) brought out the first fest of the year - 'Pehel'. Heralded as the first fest of the PGSEM calender year organized by the first year students, it's name pretty much suggests how original we are. Or rather how original our seniors were. The elections for the SAC are in progress, so there are some very interesting things that the nominees are doing to get votes. All of a sudden, a whole bunch of people have come forth, articulating how they'd like to change the way things are run. Good thing for us that there is enough to be improved. Maybe next year, our juniors will have some work left... in fact, I'm sure our batch will somehow manage to double whatever work we can hand over to them next year. In any case, all of this seems to have allowed everyone a chance to conveniently forget that this quarter will be done in 3 weeks, including exams. So if you haven't realized it, then you should atleast wake up now.

MSP - Estimation. The art of convincing your boss as to why a task that looks like it can be done by a one-handed monkey (who's on a unicylce) in 2 days actually requires 12 monkeys a whole week to do. With free bananas. Naah, we're studying consensus building. That means the TEAM together decides how long they'll need to complete the task. So basically if the schedule slips, everyone's chill because you cant put the blame on any one person. Either that, or the entire team gets fired. Moral of the story: Leave a couple of bananas for your boss as well.

Jokes apart, what we actually did was learn more about Poker planning and how arriving at a team-based consensus can help figure out any issues unknown to individuals. Power of group thinking and all that. This was even tied in to historic data, so we knew on average how much time a particular project might take, given the number of employees and lines of code. This is pure empirical data, so you can't really argue too much. This also helps you figure out (to an extent!) if your team's trying to pull a fast one on you. The next session, we actually did a hands-on, wherein our teams sat together with poker cards and estimated the projects we were going to be working on. A little slow at first, but once people got the hang of it, the project actually came to life. We got to know what others thought the project would look like (the nitty gritties), so now everyone SEEMS to have very similar pictures in their head.

LOC - The first session involved a study of Goldman Sachs. These guys have a pretty good leadership development strategy. First, they make sure they get awesome people. Next, they dump them in the world of finance, in the care of an older person and call the newbie "The Apprentice". Newbie better learn well, and imbibe culture of the company, because these oldies are an experienced lot in the world of finance. Keep up or stay out of the race! But looks like they've been doing quite well, so no complaints. The problems that Goldman Sachs seem to have faced is that they started growing really quickly, which means too many apprentices and too few gurus. So they were wondering if there's a way that leadership could be propagated through the organization (because that's today's mantra!). A council was tasked with trying to figure out what to do, and they studied other organizations known for their leadership training, brought in some quant so that they could actually measure any tangible effect of this training, etc. So the case discussion was about how Goldman Sachs should propose such a plan to senior management, so that leadership is nurtured and training sustained in the organization.

The next session was a guest lecture by a senior head at Cosco India. He spoke about the leadership development practices there, and tried to help us understand what goes into the grooming of a leader. Very intelligently articulated, it was a very thoughtprovoking talk for us all. His reliance on a bunch of models actually made it seem a little too educative, but in the end, his frameworks might end up being something we'll all be needing.

PM - I was actually quite disappointed with PM this week. I really expected a guest lecture from a head at TVS. Yet, the class dealt more with the practical problems faced by a company which was in TVS' position. We had a case study, and people discussed the pros and cons about the relevant exercise. The standard issues about expansion, product placement, branding etc. The prof brought in a very specific instance to the classroom. He spoke about how he had been part of the organization and had gone about a product launch. You remember the Conjoint Analysis from last week? well, this time it was implemented for real. So they do a whole bunch of things and then release the product.

Say what you want about this prof, but from what I've seen so far he's probably more interested in the broader level picture than explaining the intricacies of the numbers to us. He actually tells us that you can't just run a Porter's analysis as and when somebody asks you to come up with a strategy. He says use your tools as and when you need them. Most of them have a specific purpose, use them wisely. He's more like that entrepreneurial guest lecturer, who comes in, talks a lot about some very focussed thing and then tells you that keep theory aside, and THINK. There's no doubt in my mind as to why our class finds it so easy... he just makes it so. I'm just hoping that all the unspoken words that he has is atleast finding some place in my head (somewhere far behind), because it's obvious that he knows quite a bit. What's not obvious is... are we getting it?

Three weeks left.