Aviram Eisenberg, Former Chief Architect MIND CTI discusses with Eyal Katz, Club SD Chairman

The Difference Between Failure and Success: The Human Element
Aviram Eisenberg, Club SD, Former Chief Architect MIND CTI discusses with Eyal Katz, Club SD Chairman how to move up the ladder, Club SD (Software Development) and software development management as a profession.

By Eyal Katz, Chairman, Club SD

Personal Background:
I am 35 years old and married with one child. I am a Technion Computer Sciences graduate and a member of the Technion Alumni Association. Most recently, I served as MIND CTI’s Chief Architect. MIND provides end-to-end Billing Solutions for the Telecom Industry. In the seven years I worked at MIND, I performed various R&D-related roles: programming, team leading, interfacing with suppliers, requirement analysis, architecture, project management, direct work with clients, and investigating new technologies and development methodologies. I recently established IGNITE, a company that supplies Israeli ISVs with hybrid onsite-offshore software development services.

Primary Challenges
At IGNITE we provide our services using a fixed-price model. The most difficult challenge I face is the provision of consistent Fixed-Price development services that are flexible enough to allow for necessary adjustments as each project unfolds without increasing costs or extending deadlines. Another challenge I face, one common to every development manager, is finding the highest-quality R&D personnel. In addition, I deal with concerns directly related to the Onsite-Offshore model we employ, i.e. creation of a cohesive team that maximizes each worker’s potential despite the decentralized nature of our work, job satisfaction and leadership development. Managing a development team is, in my opinion, like herding cats. I must allow each individual to go his own way while keeping all of them moving toward a common goal. This requires real leadership skills.

Successful Effort As R&D Director
Among the greatest achievements in R&D management, in which I took part as the Chief Architect at MIND, was the establishment of a prosperous development center in Romania . The decentralized model of work was not easy to apply in Romania . Despite the clear advantages, i.e. reduced costs, and efficient recruitment of highly-qualified personnel, there were many challenges: communication difficulties, differences in mentality, adoption of a global institutional culture, the need for more defined work processes, etc. Through adapting our work processes to the specific situation, developing effective channels of communication, exchange of “ambassadors” between the companies, educational programs for workers, careful selection of projects for implementation in Romania , etc. we managed to develop a development department capable of meeting our goals and expectations.

Development Management: Success vs. Failure
When it comes to development projects, the key to success vs. failure is, of course, the human component. The ability to create and sustain a sense of teamwork, commitment, responsibility and a sense of mission all fall within the province of the development manager. Other considerations that are no less important are project management, development methodology and technology. It is important to note that the more other things change over time, e.g. new methodologies and technologies arise with each passing day, the more important the human face of software development has and will become.

ClubSD
The challenges facing software development managers are unique. Club SD recognizes the management of software development as a profession, not just a role. Club SD gives software development managers a forum in which they can meet, and have a positive impact on the future of the profession and of project and employee management both in Israel and abroad.