How do we build software? | The People Group

What is it like to develop software with us?

At The People Group we are proud of our software department. Talented developers work here on innovative applications that change the way we work. But what is it actually like to develop software with us? To find out, we spoke to Sjimmie Dirkx. Sjimmie is our experienced head of products who has been with us for 5 years. In this blog we share his personal insights and experiences about working The People Group.

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April 07, 2023
5 minutes reading time

What does the software department do?

Our software department serves various clients. We work for network operators and (sub)contractors in the underground infrastructure, but also for local authorities such as municipalities, provinces and water boards.

The common thread during the development of our software is automating work that previously had to be done manually. By making these work processes more efficient, clients can use their expertise when they really matter. We do this across the entire chain, for example with GeoSmartDesign for the design, LiDAR TO GO during construction and Organize for delivery.

What challenges do you face?

One of our challenges is to identify core problems of clients. Often the original question is not the actual problem we need to solve, so our first task is to understand the real challenges our clients face. This means that we have to ask a lot of questions to get to the heart of the problem. We then look at possible solutions together. This sometimes leads to projects that are different from what our clients originally envisioned and we solve problems that they did not even realize existed. This makes the work interesting and challenging, and it is personally satisfying.

Another challenging aspect of our work is solving problems by finding solutions that meet our clients' criteria. This is a continuous process of challenge and repetition that we deal with every day.

Tell me, what are you proud of?

We recently worked for a client on a solution for automating the delivery of project data after implementation. One of the biggest challenges was the dependency on an external system and its associated database with numerous rules. Our solution has ensured that the generation of all data is fully automated, without much rework or additional work. This has saved us enormous time. Previously it was manual work that took weeks or months, but now it is automated at the touch of a button.

What I especially like about this project was our approach. We didn't stick plasters on and come up with temporary solutions all the time, but rather invested at the front to sort everything out properly. This gave us everything under control and you can see that this is paying off.

What makes software development fun for us?

What I personally like is the freedom you get. The problems are defined and the frameworks are clear, but how you solve them is up to you. In addition, the organization is flat. So if you have a good idea and you can substantiate it, it can be implemented quickly. I really enjoy that way of working, because you really have the feeling that you are contributing and that you can make an impact.

Moreover, within the software department, people easily visit each other. For example, we regularly sit down together, for example a product owner, developer and software architect, to solve problems. By listening to each other and looking pragmatically and realistically at what needs to be done, we always arrive at a solution. This creates a relaxed atmosphere in the office.

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