MBA, MScIT, PMP

For a resume-style description of my experience, please visit my LinkedIn profile.

It all started with the Commodore 64 microcomputer that I got in 1983. Since then and for many years, computers remained a passion in my life, not just for playing games (ok, I played a lot), but also for programming and doing useful things. When it was time to attend university, I logically enrolled in Computer Science, completing first a bachelor and then a master's degree.

After two years working with SAP, which allowed me to learn about business processes and how large companies waste money, I created my own business, Synapsys, providing consultants in Java Enterprise development, architecture, and project management. Surfing on the Java Enterprise wave we won big clients and the company grew healthily to 8 people.

During the first five years of my career, I progressively became more interested in the structure of software applications (architecture) and the practices for developing software (development process or methodology) than programming.

In August 2003 I left Synapsys to cofounder Tor Holden and moved to Montreal QC Canada, for no better reason than the need to see new horizons.

From 2003 to 2005 I worked with various Montreal companies as software architect and team leader. My former (and ugly) website Practical Software Architect illustrates this period. However, I continued to drift toward management as I was more and more involved in project management, methodology, coaching, and generally speaking "bridging the gap between technology and business".

In 2005 I decided to formalize my management know-how by doing an MBA. More than any hard skills, this degree helped me to understand how management and leadership affect software development. It's a change of mindset, really. If I had to highlight the three main shifts that helped me get beyond the "techie" attitude, I would say:

• IT solutions over software development
• User and customer satisfaction over technology
• People over processes

After a brief stay in Vancouver in 2007 where I dabbled into management of videogame production teams, I gladly went back to Montreal. Since then I focus solely on project management, software development audit, and related coaching. Compared to most project managers and coaches, I do not preach for any specific methodology. Indeed the best solution depends on the organizational culture, the project, and the scope of the consulting mandate. Whether it's traditional, agile or lean, it must be in the client's best interests.

I am currently expanding Synapsys in Canada, under the name Synapsys Canada. In order to build up the software development audit service of the company, I designed our audit process and I'm managing the development of Agile Benchmark, a free web tool that adds value to our offering by assessing development practices through a survey and producing a preliminary audit report.

If you are interested in these topics, I invite you to subscribe to this blog's feed and to follow me on twitter.

For business inquiry or any other comment, please email me at bruno@brunocollet.com.

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I couldn't find any better place for the testimonials that some colleagues and teachers were so kind to provide, so here they are.

"Bruno and I have worked as e-business experts on a very important project for Daimler-Chrysler Benelux. What started as a 10 day consultancy, explaining UML and processes, extended to a period of two years, during which Bruno assumed the role of project manager, role which he assumed very professionally, being able to influence in a positive way the customer's management in making sound technical decisions. Upon his leave, thanks to his coaching efforts the customer's technical team had matured into an efficient Java development team, able to grasp key concepts and put them into practice. To summarize: Bruno is a black belt. A definite asset on a team."
- Tor Holden, Partner, Synapsys Inc.

"Bruno Collet was a student in two of my MBA courses at the John Molson School of Business in 2006. He did very well in both of my courses, but especially in the Management of Technology seminar where his background, experience and keen interest in innovative technologies were of great advantage. His research on how light electric vehicles could be commercialized was very enlightening and useful. Bruno has a very solid understanding of technology management and the marketing of new products, and I anticipate he will do well in his career."
- Dr. William Taylor, Professor, John Molson School of Business, Concordia Universtity

"Bruno was a technical lead at Accovia. He significantly contributed to the team, being involved in the improvement of the development process, including choice of architectural components and development tools. His contribution has significantly helped the team. Bruno is always willing to coach younger members of the team, and if you have a chance to get it in your team, do not even think about it, just get him."
- Bruno Miquet, Development Director, Accovia Inc.