TechLead-Story: Jürgen Jussel, CEO at Rhomberg Gruppe

TechLeadStory

Jürgen Jussel

Team

Size and Roles: The Dev/IT team is integrated into the broader IT team, consisting of approximately 10 people. The team's size can vary depending on projects, and external specialists may join as needed. The structure is relatively flat, led by an IT manager overseeing different areas of responsibility.

Organization and Structure: The team operates with a high degree of autonomy, and decisions are made as directly as possible by team members with expertise in the respective areas. The organization is flat, with an IT manager leading the entire department, divided into various responsibilities. While internal structures like Scrum are used selectively, self-sufficiency is emphasized.

Special Characteristics of the Team: The team's autonomy and direct decision-making are considered distinctive, especially within a large construction company. The team also emphasizes a strong sense of unity and a friendly atmosphere, with everyone addressing each other informally. Facing and overcoming challenges together has strengthened the team's cohesion.

Recruiting

Integration in Recruiting Process: Recruiting involves collaboration between the HR department and the IT manager. Responsibilities include defining candidate requirements and choosing appropriate channels for job postings. While both HR and the IT manager share responsibilities, the final decision on whether a candidate fits into the team is made by the IT manager based on technical and team-dynamic considerations.

Onboarding Procedure: A standard onboarding process exists, starting early in the hiring process. Potential candidates are often given opportunities to get to know the team before formal onboarding, and the team's opinion is highly valued. The onboarding process includes familiarization with the team culture, technical training, and early integration into the team.

Qualities Beyond Technical Skills: Besides technical qualifications, cultural fit and alignment with company values are crucial considerations. A candidate's ability to integrate into the team and align with company culture is deemed nearly as important as their technical skills. Ensuring a cultural fit helps prevent the need for restarting the costly recruiting and onboarding process.

Technologies

Technical Challenges: The company is currently undergoing a digitalization process, presenting challenges in implementing IT projects. However, a major hurdle lies in ensuring that employees embrace and adapt to these technological changes.

Current Technologies: Microsoft technologies form the basis of daily operations, including Office 365, SharePoint, Exchange, Azure, etc. In the ERP domain, the company uses customized software tailored for construction companies.

Evolution of Technology Since Inception: Founded in the 19th century, the company has seen substantial technological changes over the years. From the introduction of 3.5-inch floppy disks to more recent transformations like structured cabling, network setup, and the transition to cloud-based IT infrastructure, the company has adapted to evolving technologies.