Apeejay School of Management students nurture agile thinking, real-world learning

A morning at Apeejay School of Management (ASM) began with a distinctive opportunity for Operations and Decision Science students to gain insights from a global technology professional. Through a virtual interactive session, students connected with Mr. Prasanna Manda, a seasoned Agile Release Train Engineer at TD AMCB, USA, who brought more than two decades of experience in leading technology transformation across complex enterprise environments.

Extending his night routine to facilitate the interaction, Mr. Manda conducted an engaging session on Agile Project Management Methodology, offering students a practical perspective on how modern organisations plan, execute and adapt projects in rapidly changing business environments.

The session opened with a comparative discussion of the traditional Waterfall Model and the Agile approach. Mr. Manda explained the fundamental differences between the two methodologies, particularly regarding planning, execution, flexibility and adaptability. The discussion helped students understand why organisations increasingly need approaches that can respond effectively to evolving requirements and changing market conditions.

Moving beyond the basic comparison, Mr. Manda introduced students to the key principles and focus areas of Agile project management. He also discussed emerging trends and their relevance to today’s dynamic work environment, encouraging students to look at project management not merely as a process-driven function but as an approach that enables organisations to respond more effectively to uncertainty and change.

Technical concepts such as Scrum, Kanban and Sprints were explained accessibly and practically. By relating these frameworks to real-world project environments, the session helped students clearly understand how Agile methodologies are implemented beyond textbooks and classrooms. The interaction also gave them an opportunity to appreciate the importance of collaboration, iterative progress and responsiveness in contemporary project execution.

The global exposure offered through the virtual format added another dimension to the learning experience, allowing students to interact with an industry professional working in a complex enterprise environment in the United States. The session thus bridged academic concepts with professional practices and provided students with insights into the evolving expectations of the technology-driven workplace.

Concluding the session, Mr. Manda emphasised that in today’s digital economy, organisations increasingly compete on their ability to adapt. He encouraged the students, as aspiring management professionals, to focus not only on technical and managerial knowledge but also on developing their leadership capabilities.

The session served as a valuable learning experience for the students, reinforcing the importance of adaptability, continuous learning and leadership in navigating the demands of the modern business world.