Managing Virtual Software Development Projects


I recently wrote an article for the website Project Management Planet on the topic, managing virtual software management projects. The article came via Elance, a freelance website that I use at times to outsource project work or to work on projects myself. The site owner was very interested in my experience as virtual project manager and needed me to write 1200 words on it. While writing is not my bread and butter, I complied mostly because I did want to share my experience on managing projects virtually and because I can get some Cat-C Professional Development Units (PDUs) from PMI since I needed to do some research to substantiate my article.

The link to the article and website is above, have a read and let me know what you think.

 

Of direct debits, standing orders & subscriptions in Britain


RBS, Santander, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Barclays, HSBC

This post has been in writing ever since I came to UK, got my own bank account, set up a direct debit and used my card for online subscription payments. Mind you, it has been a very unnerving experience since even after 6 months here, I am surprised when:

  • a transaction occurs 2 to 3 days before the given date of a charge
  • there is no acknowledgement or receipt sent by the company that has charged you a fee (which they will days before it is set to renew)

Continue reading →

Have you ever worked on a successful water project in rural South Asia? What made it successful?


Last year I worked on a rural development project in Pakistan for 30 handpumps and here is my story. 

The Problem
There is a small village (about 500 families) in district Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Afghan refugees had settled for about 20 years, once they left, the land soil had been utterly destroyed for conventional farming and the wells had also dried. As a result, parents weren’t sending their kids to the local school and sent them off to the closest river about to collect water for farming, washing etc.

The Solution
The village formed a committee (community organisation) and submitted to the local council for handpumps to be installed all over the village. Continue reading →

What is the best way to shop online in or from Pakistan?


Via Quora What is the best way to shop online in or from Pakistan?

I have done a lot of online purchases within Pakistan through credit cards. I was also a Product Manager for a company that used to route all these transactions on the internet in Pakistan. Hence let me explain both sides of the story.  Continue reading →

On Using Quora


For information junkies and those who love to enlighten, Quora is a wonderful place to be. It is a world of its own and so far there is no competition on the horizon for it. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn have their own niche uses. Facebook to stay in touch with family and friends, Twitter for sharing links and getting in touch with people directly and LinkedIn to keep tabs on who is doing what. Quora brings Twitter’s ability to connect directly with people to a forum where everyone gets to learn from one answer. Ever wanted to ask an Iraqi what the war meant to them? A detailed first person account is there. How about, asking J J Abrams on how he started making movies? He gives an answer when he has time from making movies of course!  Continue reading →