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Interview with our Head of Software Development: André Bahrdt
Welcome to our latest edition of our series Employee Interviews, where we dive into the personal experiences, challenges, and insights of our team members. Meet André, our Head of Software Development, and learn more about his perspectives in the field.
What’s the biggest misconception people outside the field have about software development?
That software, automation, or even AI can magically solve every problem quickly and easily. In reality, software development is more of a support for processes and/or users. But that only works if you really understand and question what you’re doing in the first place. Otherwise, you’re just doing the same thing, only on a computer instead of on paper.
Looking back, which technical decision causes you the most headaches today?
Honestly, none. Every decision made sense at the time it was made. What matters more is leaving room to revise decisions later if needed, that way you avoid future headaches.
How often do you have to compromise on code quality to meet deadlines or other demands?
It really depends on the situation and how well you communicate. Sometimes you just throw something together quickly because it’s only needed once. In those cases, you don’t have to hold it to the same standard as a product you’re selling. It comes down to communication and weighing costs and benefits, and often there’s a way to balance both sides so everyone’s satisfied.
What common practice in software development would you most like to get rid of?
The tendency to think only within your own little box. There are lots of experts in specific fields or technologies, but they often stop right at the edge of their specialty. Looking beyond, collaborating or even just taking a peek at what others are doing, is avoided. And that creates friction and problems that don’t really need to exist.
If you could run a software project with no time or budget constraints, what would it look like?
Projects like that really depend on the passion and curiosity of the people involved. Without that, they tend to lose direction and fizzle out. Personally, I actually enjoy the challenge of working within constraints. Trying to deliver something within a set budget or deadline, while still holding onto your own quality standards, is where I find the work most exciting.
What a powerful reminder to think outside the box, in software development and beyond!
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and experiences with us. We’re excited to continue our journey of #Rethinking mass spectrometry together.