Building the Backend: My Journey as Head of Operations at AskShiva.ai

I’m Vikas Jha. For those of you who frequent developer communities like DEV or Hashnode, you might be used to seeing a lot of "how-to" guides, framework comparisons, or deep dives into new libraries. While those are incredibly valuable, my perspective usually comes from a slightly different angle of the software lifecycle.

I currently serve as the Head of Operations at AskShiva.ai. My day-to-day isn’t spent writing every line of code or documenting every API, but rather focusing on the machinery that allows a technical product to function, scale, and deliver value to its users.

At AskShiva.ai, we are focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and practical utility. We are building an platform designed to streamline how users interact with complex information through AI.

In my role, my objective is to ensure that the bridge between our technical capabilities and our operational reality remains seamless. This involves:

I decided to join this community because I believe there is a massive, often overlooked component to the tech industry: the operational side of building software. While the "what" (the code) and the "why" (the architecture) get a lot of attention, the "how" (the operations and the people management behind the scenes) is what often determines if a product thrives or stalls.

In my future posts here, I don't intend to offer "hacks" or grand predictions about the future of AI. Instead, I want to share the reality of running a tech startup. You can expect to see reflections on:

I am not here to sell a product or push a specific ideology. I am simply interested in documenting the process of building something real. I want to engage with others who find the "unseen" parts of the tech stack just as interesting as the code itself.

Building in the AI space moves incredibly fast. It is easy to get lost in the hype of what might happen next, but I’ve found that the most sustainable way to build is to focus on the fundamentals: clear processes, reliable operations, and a stable foundation for developers to work upon.

Whether you are a developer, a product manager, or a fellow operator, I am looking forward to learning from your experiences as much as I share mine. Tech is often viewed through a purely technical lens, but it is ultimately a series of human and operational decisions that lead to a successful deployment.

If you are interested in the logistical and operational realities of building modern AI products, I hope you’ll stick around for the next few updates.

If you have questions about the operational side of growth or just want to discuss how to balance process with speed, please reach out or leave a comment.