Book Recommendations
Book Recommendations
My reading recommendations on various topics that you may like too
Agile
One of my favorite read has been Gene Kim’s “The Phoenix Project” that deals with a complex topic through a fictional narrative. In the novel, Bill Palmer, the new VP of IT at Parts Unlimited, faces a sinking ship: outdated systems, siloed teams, and an impossible project. To survive, he embraces the revolutionary "DevOps" approach championed by the enigmatic Eric. Through learnings like "failing fast" and "breaking down silos," Bill fosters collaboration and streamlines processes. Change takes time, not everyone adapts, and there are bumps, but the results are undeniable: faster IT delivery, improved agility, and a company on the mend.
System Design
Most of the companies hiring Technical Program Managers (TPMs) usually include a System Design Interview (SDI) as part of the selection process. While the “T” varies according to specific roles, TPMs are supposed to be good at crafting, interpreting, and defending system designs since they interface both with the technical (software delivery managers, the engineering team, etc.) and non-technical folks (like executing stakeholders). In the beginning of their careers, TPMs usually concentrate on system designs in specific projects and influence the best design for the needs and services. As they expand, they begin examining the architectural environment surrounding their initiatives and projects to identify risks as well as potential, creating an impact on the teams around them and the company as a whole.
During my attempts at transitioning to a TPM role, I used few books to prepare for SDIs. As I love reading from printed books rather than online, I bought Alex Xu’s System Design (Part-1) book in 2021 (along with Lewis Lin’s book), and since then he has become quite famous. He not only now has a popular newsletter but also published Part-2 of the SDI book, which I bought in 2023. Part 1 & 2 are now also available as a set). When I bought these books I got pirated copies shipped, but now Amazon sells full-colored, genuine editions of these books. Alex’s books are very detailed and cover over two dozen examples of System Design ranging from URL Shortner to Digital Wallet. Lin’s book is more focused on the method (PEDALS) to tackle SDIs and additional strategies you need to know (like back-of—the-envelop calculations).
Even if you are not preparing for a SDI, it would be good to have these books handy on your shelf as a ready-reference.
Project Management
Coming soon
Product Development
Coming soon
Leadership
Coming soon