Stefan, when and how did you discover your passion for IT?
I started tinkering with my father's old work PCs when I was at school, and in a free subject I wrote a game in Turbo Pascal together with friends. It was so good that the teacher didn't believe that we had written it ourselves. We had to explain every line of code. From then on, there was at least the possibility of going in that direction professionally. For a long time, I wasn't sure what I wanted to study, but computer science was just too appealing.
You are an expert in combining architecture and agility in software projects. What fascinates you most about it?
I grew up working on classic large-scale projects at Siemens. Warehouse management systems, train control systems, tunnel systems etc. I gradually grew into the architecture role, but at the same time I had the freedom to explore new methodological approaches and agility in the "Support Center for Object Technology". When I moved from Siemens to consulting, start-ups and truly agile contexts hit me hard. The energy and motivation of the developers and the focus on output were impressive. From then on, I tried even harder to think about architecture methods in such a way that they work in dynamic environments. Perhaps even to maintain the dynamics over a longer period of time. I like to think conceptually and technically about systems, but not in a cerebral way and always keeping my feet on the ground.
As a consultant, you work for both start-ups and large corporations. What are the biggest differences?
The differences between different large corporations are already huge. Of course, there is generally more history in large corporations. Large application landscapes, a lot of legacy. Dealing with this has made many companies cautious; problems result in processes and rules. In many large corporations, IT is also only part of the whole, seen more as a cost center and less as a source of competitive advantage. All of this means that things are often "freer" in start-ups. Both in terms of working methods and system design. The issues are therefore often different, even if things can turn out quite differently in individual cases. I am attracted by the pure technical, conceptual challenge in start-ups, the methodological maturity that we can develop there, but I am also attracted by overcoming the typical hurdles in corporations when it comes to change and dynamism.
How did you first become aware of JavaLand and what do you associate with the conference?
I remember the first announcement and found the fact that a conference was being held in an amusement park strange at first. That changed relatively quickly and I have heard positive things about the conference from all sides over the years. For me, JavaLand is a big and important conference that still puts the technical roots well to the fore.
At this year's JavaLand, you will be giving a talk on lightweight software reviews. What can participants look forward to and who is your talk aimed at in particular?
I have been involved in architecture reviews for 16 years and have reviewed or assessed over 100 systems myself. What I can say with certainty is that every review is different. Different influences, different solutions, different participants and situations, different expectations of the review itself. This variance makes it difficult to simply pass on methodological knowledge, especially because the key points of a successful review are often not described centrally enough in known methods. In this session, I will present a lean method for reviews that involves few participants, focuses on the essentials and provides a lot of support material for your own application. The first review result is produced very quickly. This is extremely valuable, because the variance of reviews just mentioned can be found in the iterative improvement of the initial result – and not in a previous adaptation of a method that may never have been used before. Participants can expect an entertaining session in which I will show core aspects of the method. The audience will be able to evaluate a known system live. The talk is aimed at anyone interested in good software and software architecture. Potentially also non-technical roles.
JavaLand is taking place at the Nürburgring for the first time this year. Do you already know the location? What expectations do you have of the new venue?
I only know the Nürburgring from TV, I've never been there myself. I'm curious to see what awaits us there, but I'm somehow looking forward to the motorsport mecca.
What are you most looking forward to at JavaLand?
To the professional exchange and meeting many acquaintances, be they speakers or people I know from projects. In the past, conferences were just collections of talks for me, today they are often class reunions in a very valuable professional atmosphere. JavaLand will certainly not disappoint.
Stefan, thank you very much for taking your time.
