Steffen

From IoT to TISAX: Steffen shares why his 9 years at blu BEYOND have been so inspiring.

You’ve been with blu BEYOND for 9 years — what has kept you here all this time?

The variety of topics, the skills and responsibilities, the people, open and honest communication, and the fun of working with our teams and clients every day.

With over 25 years of project management experience, what do you think has changed the most?

Definitely the introduction and use of agile methodologies. Elements of classic project management are still essential, but when combined with Scrum or Kanban, they offer many flexible approaches. Communication and collaboration have shifted more toward roles — rather than hierarchies — within teams.

You work as a project manager — what does a typical workday look like for you?

First, I check my calendar, resolve any meeting or scheduling conflicts, and look into any escalations or critical issues. I make sure the teams are supported and can work without blockers. I check team workloads, project progress, and budget status. I update project controlling and reporting for both us and the clients. I prepare forecasts and planning for upcoming projects. And — I also make time to chat with colleagues about hobbies or personal topics 😊.

What’s been your biggest “aha” moment in your career so far?

The TISAX certification and successfully passing the audit — that was a very positive “aha” moment and proof of what a team can achieve under intense time pressure.

You also work as a “buddy” for clients — what does that mean in practice?

It means looking beyond the scope of the project and supporting or advising on topics that come up in collaboration with the client. It’s about taking an active role — clients trust our experience and professionalism.

What’s been your most exciting project at blu BEYOND — and why?

Building an IoT solution for a mid-sized manufacturing company. Why? The project started from scratch, and alongside requirements gathering and process definition, we also worked on the technical architecture. The real challenge was the dependencies on other service providers and legacy systems at the client, since the IoT solution played a central role in the entire production process.

How has your view of project management changed through your work at blu BEYOND?

It’s essential to be able to respond to client needs — including everyday changes. What’s important is recognizing that there’s no single “right” project management method. It’s about using the most sensible and fitting components. But methodology is just a means to an end — and only as good as the team. In the end, it’s people who make projects successful.

What’s your ideal balance between office and home office?

Well, the best possible (perfect isn’t really achievable 😊) balance for me personally would be 80/20 — mostly home office. Especially after the pandemic, I’ve found I’m more productive at home. Of course, that requires the right environment and a dedicated workspace. But regular office days are still important.

After a stressful workday — what helps you unwind?

Playing table tennis with my kids, working in the garden, jogging, playing guitar, listening to music.

What advice would you give to new colleagues in project management?

Be open to new things, build strong relationships with clients, ensure good communication within the team, and keep a close eye on controlling.

Describe blu BEYOND in three words!

Team, Trust, Fun

Anything else you’d like to say?

That the great company culture continues. I’m looking forward to many more years and exciting projects at blu BEYOND!