TechLead-Story: Matthias Bauer, Head of Web Development at ASQS GmbH

Team

Size and Roles:
The Dev Team comprises 11 Full Stack Developers with dedicated responsibilities for Frontend and Backend. While the majority is based in the Vienna Head Office, one developer works in the Bangkok office. Expansion plans are in place for both locations.

Organization and Structure:
The team is divided into two Scrum teams, with one of them actively involved in development. Scrum was chosen for its ability to provide rapid feedback from users, aiding in the development of the system in the right direction. Once more developers join the Bangkok office, forming a Scrum team there is planned.

Distinctive Aspect - Collaborative Culture:
The team communicates on equal terms due to flat hierarchies. Open communication for sharing ideas, different perspectives, and addressing challenges is encouraged. Constructive criticism is well-received, fostering collaboration and problem-solving. Notably, the team exhibits a strong sense of mutual support, even in stressful situations. Social activities outside of work, such as grabbing a beer or game nights, are part of their team culture.

Recruiting

Integration in Recruiting Process:
Developers describe the requirements for a new colleague to be invited for a personal interview. A small test has been developed for the interview process to better assess candidates. The CTO is typically present in initial interviews to cover the technical aspects, and subsequent rounds involve active team members.

Onboarding Procedure:
New members undergo an introduction to the system from a user perspective, gaining familiarity with workflows and the user interface. Starting with server-side script development to interact with the database is common. Debugging is then introduced, providing an effective way to understand code and modules. New members are gradually integrated into new development.

Qualities Beyond Technical Skills:
Given the small and closely-knit nature of the team, qualities such as teamwork and humor are emphasized. Active participation in extracurricular activities is a plus.

Technologies

Technical Challenges:
Ensuring smooth and fast application performance across various browsers is a challenge common to web app developers. Additionally, managing server-side development, especially with the increasing volume of data, requires attention. Experimentation with new or alternative technologies is encouraged for efficient code and reduced loading times.

Current Technologies:
The system is undergoing a technological transition, utilizing Angular 8 for the Frontend, Laravel 5 for the Backend, and MariaDB as the database. An older part of the system still relies on jQuery with various plugins and PHP.

Evolution of Technology Since Inception:
The initial system, developed a decade ago, used Vanilla JavaScript and a mix of PHP and Java on the server side. Over time, jQuery was introduced on the client side, and the server side transitioned to PHP. The current move to Angular and Laravel represents the next technological upgrade.