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The way forward

I read your article ‘Project Management, the next wave?’ [IT People Sept 8] and I completely agree with you on the fact that project management is the next big thing that is waiting to happen. I work for a software company based in Bangalore that is part of Hewlett-Packard. I began my career in hardware sales and support, moved to IT software training and then to software development with a overall experience of eight years. I have worked in various roles while in the software programming world. In the last one year, I have been working for a group called project management office within a company which facilitates project planning, approvals and execution. I have gained insight into project management but have never managed projects on my own. A few months back I decided that the best approach to give my career a definite direction is by getting trained and certified in project management. I have enrolled for a course in PM that is mandatory for taking up the PMI's PMP exam. I am also planning to take up the Microsoft's MSF (Microsoft solutions framework) exams, which is Microsoft version of PM, and which also compliments PMI. I intend to take up the PMP exams by early next year. I believe I am on the right track and doing the right things. Please do provide your opinion and suggestions if any.

—Ananth Prasad
Via e-mail

Oh, my beloved country!

My son worked as a senior consultant in the California office of one of the leading IT consulting firms in the world. After the 9/11 attack, consequent to outsourcing to India, their professionals, who had rendered exemplary service, were laid off one by one. My son, who was also affected, had to stay in the US unemployed for more than 18 months, till his dollar reserves got exhausted. His application to the employer to consider a suitable post for him in India never received any response. But Wipro, where he had worked earlier and was aware of his potential, took him back as a project manager. This example should be an eye opener to any Indian software professional aspiring to work with foreign software giants, who follow the policy of hire and fire.

— K N Narayana Pillai
Chennai

Offshore drama

The move by certain US states to curb outsourcing IT work to low-cost destinations such as India received a further setback recently with the Information Technology Association of US justifying the move by US infotech companies to outsource work offshore. With the global nature of today's businesses, especially the IT industry, any move by any government to put restrictions would be foolish, as it will work against the interests of the industry. And the US being a capitalist country any such move would prove harmful to their interests. There was a hue and cry when the US manufacturing segment decided to outsource its work to Asian countries but the furore soon died out. I believe we will see the same pattern emerge with respect to the IT industry. India Inc. now needs to focus on improving the skills of its workforce to continue delivering value-added services and create a more conducive environment for foreign investments.

— Ravi Chugh
Delhi

New dimensions

This is with reference to the article ‘A new dimension to entrepreurship’ [IT People, August 4]. The article gives good advice and a realistic view of entrepreneurship. it brings out a totally innovative angle, which has probably not been thought of by anybody. I am impressed by this new angle and believe it will prove valuable to those who intend to set up businesses of their own.

— M Chandak
Via e-mail