Certification - January 2009 - (Page 32)

However, although technical skills are a prerequisite, companies typically look to hire lead applications developers who have acquired nontechnical skills, as well. “For this type of role where you’re leading and [must] have a strong development background, you do need both,” Shade said. According to Konda, soft skills can play a more or less prominent role depending on the organization. Additionally, Konda said one challenge is the need to set aside personal interests to build something with the best business and market value. “That’s one of the challenges for me, because I come from a pure engineering background where I just want to [build] the thing that’s the coolest or fastest,” he said. On the other end of the spectrum, there are a number of benefits to the job. First, the work is varied and constantly changing, providing new learning opportunities. “If we’re integrating a reporting engine, I need to know [something] about reporting to be able to make a good decision about which reporting engine we choose to use. And that applies across a variety of technologies that we integrate with,” Konda said. “Everything from database technologies to security technologies — it’s my job to know how they work, what their drawbacks are, weigh the other options and help choose one.” A second benefit to becoming a lead applications developer is there often is a great sense of accomplishment once a project is completed. “When all the pieces of the puzzle come together and the product works, you have a sort of pride of ownership in a sense that you’ve built something.” “You feel like if the buck stops, it’s going to something – Matthew Konda, senior Architect, Trustwave stop at you if something breaks or if the pieces doesn’t work right. [But] when all of the puzzle come together and the product works, you have a sort of pride of ownership in a At Trustwave, for instance, a combination of these sense that you’ve built something,” Konda said. technical and nontechnical skills is essential for success in this job role: • Communication skills. • Ability to think from a business perspective. • Organization skills. • Project-planning abilities. • Proficiency in Excel. • Broad technical or architecture and design background. • Ability to write code. • Knowledge of and ability to weigh costs and benefits of new technologies. The Bottom line The future looks bright for those who are considering careers as lead applications developers. “While it is difficult to predict market conditions, in most organizations that build software, lead application developers are key contributors,” Konda said. “Finding high-performing, reliable leaders for this role is key to [achieving] success in delivering applications.” In the face of offshoring, Konda said a new derivative role for lead applications developers involves overseeing offshore projects to ensure the standard of excellence associated with the organization. “Very competent companies can take this role and offshore it,” Konda said, “[but] I don’t see these roles going away. I think that there’s plenty of opportunity in the future.” 8 – Deanna Hartley, dhartley@certmag.com Challenging, Yet Rewarding On any given project, lead applications developers inevitably will come across various technical hurdles. “They will need to roll with the punches and learn on the job,” Konda said. 2 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE January 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification - January 2009

Certification - January 2009 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Virtual Village Tech Careers Dear Techie Academic Connection Troubleshooting What We Like Look Ahead The New Convergence Formula Cybersecurity: Are You Safe? Interface Lead Applications Developer: The IT Ambassador Inside Certification Ad Index Endtag

Certification - January 2009

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