Afsar is a Project Manager and has been with Systematic since 1996.

Afsar’s thoughts on...

... talent development

Talent development is very much a focus in Systematic and valued by management.

There’s plenty of room for talent development if you want it - and we can even get financial support. I chose to seize this opportunity.  I trained to be project manager through the courses offered by Systematic. In connection with my training, I’ve been assigned a mentor, who’s a great help to me - she has a wealth of experience and I’ve learned a lot from her.

… work-life balance

Even when we’re very busy, I feel that my workload is manageable.

As regards the amount of overtime, the company only wants us to work extra hours within limits. We aren’t expected to work for example 30 hours extra per week, nor does the company want it, because when working too many hours, you’re no longer able to do your work effectively and the quality of your work decreases.

... the greatest thing about the job

The greatest thing about my job is that there is such a strong focus on quality in Systematic. I enjoy having so many skilled and talented colleagues as well as so many different and exciting tasks to perform. Also, we have many different and interesting customers, which makes it exciting to learn about their fields of business and needs.

... a typical day at work

In the morning, we have our daily Scrum meeting on the project during which we discuss what we worked on the day before, what we’ll work on today and discuss any relevant issues that need to be clarified.

A lot of my time is spent on planning and communicating with the customer, clarifying their needs and wishes, which I then communicate to the project team. My tasks also include making sure that our software at all times is of the highest quality. Furthermore, I participate in various meetings and follow up on loose ends of tasks - it’s my responsibility to ensure this is done.

... challenges

I’m often challenged in my job.

One example is that the customer of the project I work on is a public institution.  As such, they are very much dependent on being able to adapt to new laws or amendments, which must often be implemented in the course of a few weeks. Consequently, they can very quickly become a vital parameter of our work and that requires us to work fast end effectively. We must clarify the customer’s needs and what this means to the project, the customer needs to approve any changes this brings, and we must then implement them within a very short period of time. It’s both challenging – you can’t be asleep at the wheel – and it’s exciting.

... working in an international company

I think it’s exciting. It opens a lot of doors, for example in the sense that I can ask for permission to be posted abroad at one of the other offices in the Systematic group, which could be a great opportunity and experience.

Furthermore, I appreciate the fact that our solutions and products are sold and make a difference throughout the world, not just in Denmark, where I work.

... working in a company that focuses on Freedom with responsibility

It’s fantastic! It’s great to be given so much responsibility.

I believe that when you give people responsibility, they’ll try their best to live up to it. They will rise to the occasion and it’ll help them grow professionally and personally.

Freedom with responsibility also means that if, for example, I have a sick child at home, I can choose to work some hours during the day, take care of my child, and work some more in the evening, rather than having to be at work from eight to four.

... working in a project- and team-oriented company

I think it’s great. I appreciate that I’m able to work closely together with the same group of people for a period of time, be part of a project from start to finish and participate in all phases of it, including reaching the goal and seeing the result of our efforts.

Having said that, mobility is also characteristic of the projects. If I want new challenges or just to try something different, I can ask to be moved to another project.