TOGAF 9 certification - preparation tips

I completed my TOGAF 9 certification yesterday. It was definitely tougher than I expected based on all the mock tests that I had given. The questions were tougher, with multiple choice answers in Level 2 similar enough to trip you up.

I was already TOGAF 8 certified, so just took the Bridge exam, which is a single exam of Level 1 (20 simple multiple choice questions) and Level 2 (8 complex multiple choice questions). Both levels are open book in the Bridge, but you still need to know your stuff, and can use the book for verifying/correcting 30-40% of your answers. Else, there won't be enough time to do the rest.

What worked for me

1. Preparing for a period of two months – 1 hour a day was sufficient. In fact, I lost momentum towards the end, as I just didn't have enough motivation to revise.

2. Documenting all inputs /outputs for ADM phases,

a. which phase new deliverables are created

b. which phase deliverables are signed-off

3. Taking all available mock tests

a. Those sent out by through my firm

b. From Books 24 X 7 books – Foundation Part 1 and Part 2 (can be used even for Bridge) by William Manning

c. Previous TOGAF 8 material

d. Chris Eaton's blog - check out the right window pane

4. Watching Knotion TOGAF videos to get a different/more palatable flavour of TOGAF

5. Other material on the net for general browsing– e.g. slideshare, training sites etc.

For the Bridge exam, focus on

1. Differences between TOGAF 8 and TOGAF 9

2. Study Guide 2

3. Remember where in the book the index and the main sections are (quite important as both parts are open book for the Bridge)

4. ADM

5. ADM Techniques

During the test

I took the test in the QA Ltd, Holborn centre.

1. Scrolling through the pdf is clunky, so go to the index first, find the page number and then use page number search (note that pdf page numbers and book page numbers are 34 pages out).

2. Word/phrase search works (definitely use it), but the word is highlighted only for a flash, so pay attention. Sometimes (especially for checking best description of a particular item, summary section may provide answers more easily than the main section)

3. 2 rewritable scratch pads are given (at Holborn test centre), take tissues with you so can rub the notes and reuse again, if needed.

4. For the bridge exam, both the levels are in a single test, so you can start with Level 2 if you want (as it involves a lot of reading).

5. Definitely use the mark feature, but also use the comments feature. You can put comments that you want to specifically consider while going back to the question and referring to the TOGAF book.

10 years as a professional

On the 4th of March, I completed 10 years of my professional career. There were certainly some high points and low points during that time, and some useful lessons.

1. Having a fun time at Infosys during the 3.5 months induction. Realising that I am not a hacker once again, and also realising that IT is not about coding at all. In fact, guys who progress quickly are good at the softer things rather than at ‘hard’ coding.

2. Being fortunate enough in not being transferred to Hyderabad like the rest of the batch purely because had got a project. Was a BI project. Pretty much have stayed in the same domain since.

3. Understanding the importance of diplomacy and patience at work. Work gets completed only when it wants to complete (especially if it involves more than one person).

4. Fortunate enough to travel to the UK. My family has found a very nice Bed and Breakfast. Lunch and dinner may be elsewhere.

5. Swiftly deducing that working in Mumbai is not for me. Probably, the long term move there will only be of my ashes.

6. Moving from IT delivery to IT consulting to Business consulting. Landing in the Big 4. Realising why they are called the Big 4. And all the hard work that needs to be done inside of me.

7. Giving up on the MBA dream, and sacrificing a million bucks (INR anyway!) for reserving the seat and then not taking it. But ultimately making one of the best financial decisions of my life.

8. Realising that I am a fairly decent decision maker (not just based on 7), just that I need to put myself out there and make decisions that have bigger impact in the organisations that I work in/for.

In the 10 years, haven't done too bad. But there is a lot more that I could have achieved. I could have been more driven, focused, and generally a better professional.

On the personal front,

1. Getting to live near London, one of the best cities in the world

2. Discovering some of the things I am – cyclist, runner, but always a dilettante in everything (and don't mean that as a compliment!)

3. Finding love and losing it.

4. Getting married and having a daughter who makes me feel special.

Zor ka jhatka - Totally wiped out

I am so glad to hear that the show Zor ka Jhatka has failed. All three of us, that's me, wife and my 3 year old are big fan of the original, "Total Wipeout". It is for those who like "Ninja Warriors" and "Takeshi's Castle", where what matters is the skill (or the lack of it) of the participants to provide you with laugh out loud moments. In Total Wipeout, the host, Richard Hammond does add some humour quotient, but works strictly as a narrator, and not the hero. To emphasis his role as an ancillary, he is even not present in the main location, Argentina, and appears to sit on a railing in a disused studio corner.

The fun of the show comes through some really unfit participants setting themselves by taking on the ridiculous obstacle course. Navigating the four giants balls provides the greatest laughs as you see the bodies of the participants twisted and mangled in all weird angles.

The host frankly doesn't matter. There is no need for the paricipants to be celebrities. Just show us people going over the big 4 balls non-stop, and you will have record TRPs.

Panasonic-SD-257WXC breadmaker

Have bought the Panasonic-SD-257WXC breadmaker from Amazon

Bought if after reading glowing reviews on Guardian and Amazon

I am well and truly chuffed. Just waiting to bake and smell some home made bread.

P.S. Need to let people know that on Amazon the price has drammatically increased. I bought it for £98 at the start of this year. and now it is retailing at £128. Incredible price hike!!

Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a great site compiling all the important and interesting details about various companies. You create a login, enter your own salary details, reviews etc. and voila, the full compilation of data from other users is avaiable to you.

So, it a service similar to what Vault provides, but its free. I am sure Vault provides much more. But really if you want sufficiently exhaustive salary details split by roles and location (and also perks), then there's enough data on Glassdoor

The reviews about companies are really informative. There are interview tips and tricks which will also help you prepare in case you are looking at switching :-)

The reason for this blog is to advertise Glassdoor so we have more reliable and accurate data points.

Udaan - The dreams in your wings

With every passing day, its going to take even more of an herculean effort to get me writing a decent blogspot. Udaan demands such an herculean effort.

Who would have thought that a story of a boy and his father altered decisively by the presence of a step-brother would have made such compulsive viewing.

There isn't much of a story in Udaan. It really is about a boy growing up in a completely unexpected way. THe way it unfolds is extremely riveting and touching.

Rohan wants to a writer, his dad like most other dad wants him to complete engineering and join him in business. Rohan isn't your typical hero. He has been 'rusticated', he smokes and drives his father's car to the bar in the dead of the night. He knows that he is a writer, but nothing much else. He is still very much in search of his identity.

That reveals to him slowly through in sudden ways - his adorable chachu who wants him to do want he wants, and even ready to take him under his wings (to disastrous effect), his college mates who initially try to rag him, and then turn into thick friends (even castigating him for wallowing in self-pity). But his inner resolve comes to the fore in wanting to protect his step-brother, Arjun from the tryanny of his father. There is a potent chance of Arjun being shunted off to the boarding school becoming another version of Rohan and ultimately growing up to become just like his father.

People will have complaints about the slowness, stillness and unevenness of the film. But I think that is a key part of why this film works. It really seeps into your phyche, makes you relate to Rohan, Arjun, Jimmy and even on occasion, Bhairav Singh. YOu can see that there is some truth in what Bhairav Singh says or wants from his sons. But, there is no denying his methods are all wrong. At the same time, he himself doesn't seem to have the guidance and love from his parents which he can draw on.

A big part in why the movie works is the music and the lyrics. The soundtrack is nothing short of haunting. Rohan leaves his school and the track goes "Kahaani khatm hai ya shuruvat hone ko hai". You wonder what's going to happen now in ROhan's life.

Rohan's decision of disowning his father and his home has the refrains

Peron Ki Bedia Khwabon Ko Baandhe Nahi Re, Kabhi Nahi Re
Mitti Ki Parton Ko Nanhe Se Ankur Bhi Chire Dhire Dhire

and then the words again...
"Kahaani khatm hai ya shuruvat hone ko hai"


You really are astounded by the strength and courage that Rohan finds in going back for his brother, and taking the decision to raise him single-handedly with love and care that he never had. It makes you feel small, put in (a very low) perspective whatever sense of achievement you have in life.

But, you fear for the two of them. Would Rohan be able to support both of them. Will they both be ok in the big bad world out there.

I think they would.

P.S. Showed it to new niece of 6 years. It was a really long day of travelling, and we started the movie at 11 pm. I thought she would fall asleep. She saw it right through, and guess what liked it.

Of course, she is intelligent.

Commonwealth Games - At least no one died

Could there be any greater embarassment?
Of course, there is. Another train crash

Great North Run - Abhi conquers Newcastle

Another Marathon under my belt. First in the UK. 1:55 the time. Almost 1/2 hr than my aspirational time. 10 minutes more than PB.
But, with no training for more than last 3 weeks, it was going to be more perspiration than aspiration. Aspiration my ass!

Newcastle is not plain sailing anyway. Wavy roads, down, up, up, up, down. My legs have been battered. They have turned to both stone (as in can't move) and jelly (when I do, they wobble). No dead nails though.

Raised 100 pounds in charity (exact!). So, all not lost! Donate more here

Here's how it went. Good that its gone. Next year, want to be back though. 1:30. Here I come.

Aawaz de kaha hai?

HT reports

A jar of air exhaled by Hollywood's 'It' couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has been auctioned for $523 on eBay. The jar of 'celebrity air' was put up on auction in June by enterprising celebrity spotter Joe Wilson r has been bought by an anonymous buyer, reported Daily Mail

I am guessing their fart (captured in a hagarbatti) will be worth much more.

Great North Run

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running the Great North Run, the world's largest half marathon.

This is my fourth attempt at the half. My personal best is 1 hr 45 minutes. I am aiming at 1 hr 30 min this year. If I achieve the £500 target, then I will do my best to achieve the time. If not, I will cry trying.

Akansha is a charity I have come across when I was at Accenture. They do loads of fantastic work for kids, primarily in the field of education. I have interacted with the kids they support and could see first hand, the great work done by the charity.

People in the UK can donate via "Kids in need of Education" charity.

http://www.justgiving.com/kinoe

People elsewhere can click on appropriate links here

http://www.akanksha.org/

Back in Brighton

Am in Brighton this week due to en-masse trainings scheduled by my division at The Firm here. Great opportunity to get to know the rest of the team on speed, considering I just joined last week.

THe sessions have been quite useful and the evening programmes are also good - you get to mingle around a lot, you are allocated random seats at dinner tables, so you have to make conversation with new folks. Works for me.

Didn't realize that the guys didn't have a habit of withdrawing to their rooms immediately after. People go out in clubs etc. and are awake, drinking, having fun into the wee hours. I am not one for talking over the din and after a couple of drinks - its not a trait I have been able to develop in spite of umpteen attempts. I am not going to start now.

Have gone around running though along the sea-face. Has been lovely to see the city slightly differently. Have stayed here more almost a year and a half, and have very fond memories of the place. Still a tourist destination, beaches are busy, and has a fantastic vibe.

My second most favorite city after London. Though, my first love :-)

God takes centrestage!

A R Rahman show at the Wembley Arena. This Sunday, the 25th.

Met him once almost 15 years ago. For the music launch of Love Birds ("Cmon Cmon O Kamachi" - loved it!!) at Rhythm House. There was Nagma, Prabhu Deva and A R Rahman. I had won some on the spot prize and was called on the stage. Royally ignored Nagma. Just shook hands with my idols - Prabha Deva and the real Deva, the man himself.

After that, saw him in person only this April at Southbank Centre, London, where the London Philharmonic Orchestra performed his music. It was a pretty good show, but Rahman didn't play or sing. Just spoke a few words during the show, and then at length, in the interview after the performance. He was in his element though (plenty of witty answers, and I can't remember anything). THough he did promise that he was going to be back.

The Jai Ho Tour is going to be all-out extravanganza. A full-on spectacle. Don't mind if the man still keeps the shell around himself -like he always does even when he is belting out the most moving numbers. I just want to be there.

Sit straight or relax?

BBC has a report on how it is not right to sit upright, but rather to sit leaning back at an angle of 135 degrees celcius.
But what this study misses is that most office workers now used laptops, or computer screens which are about 10-15 cms high, ie, the close as high as the chest max. So if you leaning down in the manner suggested, you have to tilt your head at an angle at about 30-45 degrees to look at the screen. The reason for severe back injuries is the position of the screen with respect to the eyes. If the worker has to significantly tilt his neck forward, it results in slip disks - the disks on your spine start jutting out and cause the nasty back-problems. To avoid this, the laptop of the screen should be at the eye level or above.
So indeed, it may be good just to sit leaning back IF you are not working on computers, but, it is certainly more preferable to sit straight otherwise. Best is to adjust the height of your screen.

English Football Juggernaut coming to naught

Supporting India and England (when they are playing other teams, not each other) is a nerve-wracking affair. I am specifically talking about when these nations are playing their favorite sport - for India, it is cricket (the only sport), and for England, it is football (and followed by rugby and cricket).

Both the teams never make it easy for their supporters. Their approach is never cohesive, assuring, and you never have a guarentee of a flawless performance in big matches. And invariably, it ends with a disappointing loss.

It is really sad especially with the kind of disproportionate attention and money cricket and football get in India and England. I think the best approach for stopping the associated hair loss is not follow the games closely, i.e. not be a devout fan. If the team wins, a bonus. If it loses, who cares!

BTW, I definitely feel England have no chance in winning the World Cup. Nor does the much favored Spain. My money for some reason (gut-feel) is on Argentina.

Lets wait and watch.

Stampede due to Sabotage

Stampede at Delhi Railway Station.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee called the stampede ‘unfortunate’ and ordered a “high level inquiry” into the incident.

“We have to find out whether the accident occurred due to anyone’s fault or if it was an act of sabotage,” Mamata said in Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjee of course doesn't need to apologize, forget resignng. It was an act of sabotage!!

Derailed thinking

The Railway Budget for 2010-11 is out. One particular announcement caught my eye.

Railways to set up Rabindra Museum in Howrah and Geetanjali Museum in Bolpur -- both in West Bengal -- to commemorate Rabindranath Tagore's [ Images ] 125th birth anniversary.

Precious!!

Mamata Banerjee should also start broadcasting Rabindro Sangeet on the train platform PA system between announcements.

Burning the soul and loving it

After a year for fairly rigorous sedentary existence (bar the few arm stretches done playing badminton at weekends), there is promise and sweat in the air.

Have managed to get into my dream race - not the 7 km SCMM race, I am talking about the Great Run.

To keep my training for that on track, have registered to three low mileage runs during the spring and summer.

So, here's my schedule

1. Hyde Park Jog - 14/04/2010 - 5 km
2. Tower of London Jog - 06/05/2010 - 10 km
3. Canary Wharf Jog - 02/06/2010 - 10 km

The great thing about them is that entry is free, t-shirt is free, they are in London (home of free-running!!?) and they are well-timed (evening after office hours means free weekends).

Nice run-up to The Ultimate Event - 19/09/2010

Happiness Writes White

A lot of folks ask why bloggers are always ranting, raving, complaining, and being generally angry with the world.

Well, there is a simple answer.

"Happiness writes white. It does not show up on the page”.

Unfortunately, I like the times when I am not blogging

Terrorist attack in Pune

I had predicted a terrorist attack this year. Less as a brag, it was more a commentary on how the Indian "system" never learns its lessons and continues to make the same mistakes.

In mean, wasn't the German Bakery one of the blindingly obvious targets after the attack on foreigner frequented locations on 26/11? The attack on German Bakery feels like an execution of something planned as a part of 26/11.

Of course the attack in Mumbai hasn't yet happened. But in a way, it did.

I continue to hope I am wrong!

Great North Run - Here I come

May be God realized that I was turning into a lazy bum, and needed to get the laptop off my lap and my ass off the couch. He's given me a place for Great North Run, one of the largest half marathons in the world.

It is in September normally, so have got plenty of time to prep. But am well-chuffed to be finally running my first long distance race in the UK.

Here's to plenty more.