TechLead-Story: Mag. Martin Zach, Head of Software Development at WKO IT

Team

Size and Roles:
The team comprises 60 members, including project managers, analysts, developers, testers, and support personnel. There are 18 project managers/analysts, 18 developers, 10 testers, and 14 support members, with some roles combining project management/analysis or support/analysis.

Organization and Structure:
Currently functionally structured, the team will transition to thematic/product teams in Q2/20. The move aims to unite all competencies required for customer service within a team (project managers, developers, testers, and support). Agile methods (Scrum/Kanban) are employed for autonomous, self-organized handling of project and maintenance requests.

Distinctive Aspects:
The team's unique aspects include being a close-knit and collegial group, fostering a friendly working atmosphere that transcends hierarchies. Technical and organizational expertise is a hallmark of the team.

Recruiting

Integration in Recruiting Process:
The department creates profiles and job listings, handing them over to HR for publication and communication with applicants. The team conducts interviews, and decisions on recruitment are made internally.

Onboarding Procedure:
Defined onboarding processes include documentation in the form of guides. Information sessions, a buddy system, and collaboration with experienced colleagues aid in the initial phase. Representatives from teams seeking new members are involved in interviews, aiming to minimize entry barriers and expedite integration.

Qualities Beyond Technical Skills:
The emphasis is on social competence, with a strong consideration for how well a specialist fits into the team.

Technologies

Technical Challenges:
The team is currently preparing to migrate to .NET Core, requiring a review and potential adjustment of existing architecture concepts and patterns. The transition plan includes knowledge transfer to team members.

Current Technologies:
The technology stack includes .NET, C#, SQL, WCF, JSON, RESTful API, jQuery, ASP.NET MVC, XML, CSS, Bootstrap, TypeScript, Visual Studio, Team Foundation Server, Biztalk, Infinica, rabbitMQ, SAML, and OAuth.

Evolution of Technology Since Inception:
The company has been involved with .NET since its inception and has evolved alongside it, adapting to developments like .NET Core. Over time, a service-oriented architecture (SOA), compliant authentication frameworks, and a message broker have been integrated.

This team's agility, collaborative culture, and adaptability to evolving technologies position it for continued success in the ever-changing IT landscape.