Software Ownership Transfer: Evolving Knowledge Transfer for the Agile World

Organizations invest immense amounts of time, resources, and attention in their software projects. But all too often, when it's time to transfer the finished project to new "owners," they settle for the most superficial classroom training, documentation, and code walkthroughs. These conventional approaches to knowledge transfer often fail, dramatically reducing the value of new systems in production. You can do much better - and Software Ownership Transfer will show you how.

 

This is the first practical, hands-on guide to knowledge transfer in today's agile environments. Using a realistic, large-scale case study, ThoughtWorks expert Vinod Sankaranarayanan shows how to elevate knowledge transfer from "necessary evil" to an activity full of agility and innovation, and bring together multiple organizations and cultures to make ownership transfer work.

 

Sankaranarayanan explains why mere documentation of error reports and processes isn't enough, and shows how to successfully craft a knowledge transfer program that's more substantive and effective. Along the way, he offers guidance on overcoming the commercial compromises and personal tensions often associated with transferring systems to new ownership; and on transforming mere "knowledge transfer" into something much better: "taking ownership."

Vinod Sankaranarayanan, a Project Management Consultant at ThoughtWorks, has advised many organizations in the Finance, Travel, Retail, and Healthcare space. Along the way he has handled several large project delivery responsibilities. He has witnessed and driven several sourcing transitions for his clients. Vinod started his professional career in the pre-Agile era and later adapted to the Agile model of working. This has enabled him to empathize with and provide practical suggestions to clients who often find themselves making Agile transitions and sourcing transitions at the same time.

Vinod has essayed the roles of a business analyst, tester, pre-sales consultant, program manager, account manager, Agile coach, and practice leader as part of his long IT Journey.
Before ThoughtWorks, Vinod worked at Mindtree, a well-known IT services organization. At Mindtree he was one of the founding members of the Business Analysts Council and the Agile Council, focusing on creating organizational capacity to win and execute consulting as well as Agile projects.

He lives in Bangalore with his wife Vidya and their children Dhruv and Dyuthi. An occasional blogger and speaker at conferences, his writings, talks, and contact information are available at ownershiptransfer.in