Articles

Storing data doesn’t always mean SQL

It's a busy day in the office, business-as-usual. The customer is chasing the team for deliverables, which includes database schema design… The development team, counting on their previous experience, doesn't take long to create a design using a well-known RDBMS. The lead ensures the schema is in good-old third normal form… Done! Fast forward to six months down the line...

Why would you solve a problem that does not exists?

“Makarand, I am so excited. As I discussed with you last week, I have been busy all week thinking about the solution I would like to build.” Yash was bubbling with ideas as we walked into our favorite coffee shop for the breakfast. “My new year resolution has given me great strength. Now there is no one stopping me.” “Sounds like a plan Yash. Good that you...

How do I plan a long-term software development project?

Just yesterday, I got the long-awaited message, “The Eagle has landed!” yesterday from our Sales Rep. Eagle was the code name for an ambitious development project we had proposed, and the good news was that we had a go-ahead. I see some exciting times ahead of me, planning and executing this one. Immediately I took out my trusted Checklist I...

Why I don’t make new year resolutions: The Truth

“I am flooded with new ideas.” Yash and I were having our Saturday breakfast at our favorite place along with a very large cup of coffee. “My new year resolution is to take the plunge, get over the fear, and start something of my own.” “Wow, Yash! I am with you. Finally, you made up your mind. I am so...

2021: a year in review

This year was special as we completed ten years as CoreView. It just seems like yesterday that we started CoreView, working on our first project. Also, 2021 was a year of a (partial) coming back to a physical office. We signed up for a beautifully crafted and managed office with a bunch of high-end facilities for the employees. Many things changed...

Everything the product managers need to know about Scalability

It's been a good long vacation nearing year-end, family, celebrations, outing… After the team is back to work, they notice the production web application is running on … neither 2 nor 4 instances but a whopping 10 instances! A hurried inspection shows auto-scaling kicked off as per the thresholds set by the team when the cloud infra was acquired....

How to plan your work before going on vacation

“Makarand, I am curious to see your post next week. I read your advice about not working during the holidays. I want to see whether you follow your own advice.” Rajesh was challenging me over the coffee break. “Yes, off course. You will definitely see something.” “Let me guess, I have understood a few things from your work style. You will finish some of the...

Auto-Scaling in the cloud-Everything the product manager needs to know

  It's a new issue reported by customers which says the cloud is not processing messages from devices fast enough… The product manager takes stock of the resources and raises a request for scaling up the infra... Sounds familiar? While the request goes through its approval workflow, a seasoned technical architect walks through the code along with the developers, only to...

Dealing with office workload during vacation

“There is so much work pending, and my family has planned for this holiday. I am not sure what to do.” Dinesh approached me with his application for vacation. It is Christmas time, and many team members have some plan or the other for the new year celebration. “So, what is the problem?” “I do need this break, but I feel guilty to be missing...

Dealing with a heavy workload at work

“I am not able to sleep at night. There is too much work in the project, please move me to some other project.” As Dhanesh was complaining I could hear the frustration in his voice. Obviously, there was something wrong. “Can you tell me something more about it?” Proposing a solution without hearing the problem, can make the situation worse. Also, many times...