Daniel: Development and perspectives of a D365 industry project manager

What is your professional or academic background, and how did you become a project manager for the D365 industry?

I studied economics for my bachelor's degree. For my subsequent master's degree, I decided to deepen my knowledge in the field of computer science and chose to study “Customer Relationship Management” at the Chemnitz University of Technology. In addition to my studies, I worked for a start-up for several years, gaining insight into all business processes and leading the implementation of an ERP system there. By working with an ERP partner, I knew which direction my professional career should take.
Afterwards, I worked for six months as a student trainee at BE-terna, where I was able to support internal projects and gained a lot of new experience. After the successful completion of my studies, I started working as a solution consultant, specifically in the area of commerce, on various projects. At the end of last year, I had the opportunity to take over my first project as a project manager.

What are your main tasks as a project manager and what skills are required to successfully perform these tasks?

Basically, as a project manager, you are responsible for planning and controlling all project-related processes and tasks. This includes, among other things, the planning and organization of human resources. In addition, there are many other important issues, such as adhering to the time and financial framework of the project or solving problems that jeopardize the success of the project.
The key skills required to carry out these tasks are efficient time management, solution-oriented thinking and the ability to keep track of all processes. In addition, the needs and wishes of the customer as well as those of colleagues should always be taken into account.

How do you see your development potential as a project manager, and what steps is BE-terna taking to foster this potential?

I'm only at the beginning of my career as a project manager, so I see extensive development potential for the future. The support of experienced colleagues offers me the greatest added value. Regular exchanges of knowledge with other project managers helps to identify the right tools and methods for your own project management. In addition, there are various training courses and continuing education programs that support personal development.

As your employer, how does BE-terna help to motivate you, and what factors inspire you personally the most in your everyday work as a project manager?

The greatest motivation is the satisfaction of the customer when everything goes as planned within the project. At the same time, of course, your own satisfaction and certainty that you have mostly made the right decisions in managing and organizing numerous tasks.
The large number of different companies that you get to know in your day-to-day work offers a lot of variety. Every company works differently, which means that it is always exciting to get to know new people and processes and, if necessary, to improve these processes in the long term.

What are your most important tips for people starting out in the project management field, and what requirements should applicants for this position at BE-terna have?

In my opinion, any previously gained experience in project management is helpful for newcomers to the profession.

You can compensate for a lack of experience with key competencies that you acquire during your studies, for example: (self-)organization, time management, solution-oriented action, effective communication and the ability to work in a team.

In general, one should comprehensively deal with the topic of project management and the associated methods for the successful control of a project.

How does BE-terna design the onboarding process for new employees, and what support do we offer them to quickly find their way into their respective roles?

The onboarding process was well organized. When I started, I was given a checklist with all the relevant points so that I was as well-prepared as possible for my daily tasks. In addition, you receive support from a personal mentor who is there to help you with any questions or problems. Several basic training courses also provide you with the necessary specialist knowledge, which is then quickly consolidated in your day-to-day work. In addition, various advanced training courses are offered to strengthen individual skills.