msg Research

Who are you and what are your tasks at msg Research?

I am a user experience designer. In this role, I talk to the future users of the software developed by msg and determine their needs. I then design the user interfaces for our software products. Ideally, my work ensures that our software is easy to understand, efficient, quick to use and attractive. At msg Research, I manage the Center of Competence for User Experience, plan training courses, cultivate the exchange of knowledge within msg and coordinate the project assignments of the UX experts in Research.

What does msg Research offer you to realize your tasks and goals?

I like collecting new knowledge and sharing my knowledge with others. What I appreciate most about msg Research is that I can live out this passion here. On the one hand, research is a place where I can learn an incredible amount from experienced colleagues from other specialist areas. On the other hand, I have plenty of opportunities to share my enthusiasm for user research both inside and outside msg: from speaking at conferences and writing articles to holding training courses. Since we work for many units at msg, I also get an insight into a wide variety of specialist domains. So it's always exciting here!

Why do you enjoy attending the Chaos Communication Congress (C3) so much?

The annual meeting of the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) is a firework display of creativity, nerdy in the very best sense. I stumble across a new little wonder at every corner. From self-programmed knitting machines to IT security lectures and coffee nerds, there are lots of people here who like to dig into the details of a topic to create something special. And I've never met anyone who doesn't talk about their project in an enthusiastic and friendly way. I always take a large portion of inspiration and energy home with me from the congress.

How did you come to msg Research and how were you accepted?

I initially worked for another business unit, spending four days on site with customers. After my parental leave, this no longer fitted in with my part-time job. However, I wanted to stay with msg and work in Ismaning. I already knew some of my colleagues at Research from various projects and then transferred to them without any problems. I got to know them better very quickly at the various divisional meetings, working in the CoCs and on joint innovation projects.

How were you able to contribute your previous professional expertise to your work at msg Research?

With my focus on requirements engineering, I'm rather exotic among many techies at Research. However, this results in very constructive collaboration opportunities that force me to think outside the box of my own discipline. I am currently working on the interplay between requirements engineering and user experience as well as requirements engineering in agile approaches. I share my knowledge in training courses and quickly find out from the participants where the shoe pinches in their projects. It is fulfilling to be able to bring the relevance of requirements engineering and business analysis more to the fore, especially since I have been leading the CoC Business Analysis.

How have you been able to balance your professional and private life at msg Research?

My line manager has three children himself, so he understands the daily family madness with small children. I'm very accommodating when I'm absent at short notice due to illness or quarantine, and I enjoy the flexibility of remote work so that I can complete tasks outside of typical working hours. My short commute allows me to switch spontaneously between the office and home. My husband also works at msg, so we can support each other if something unforeseen happens or attend group-wide appointments such as town hall meetings together.

Who are you and what has your career at msg been like so far?

I am an economist, family man and project manager. I manage international programs and projects, advise and train in project management and carry out audits. When I started at msg, I had the opportunity to accompany an audit of a major project. After holding various positions at msg, I now head the Center of Competence Project Management and Agility at Research. Here I drive various topics in this area centrally, actively and group-wide.

How does msg Research support you in developing and advancing your topics?

In many different ways. On the one hand, through a committed, versatile and creative team. On the other hand, I have a lot of creative freedom and political support. On top of that, Research also offers me operational and technical support for training courses, organizational matters, videos and much more.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you do to pass the time?

I would plan and carry out two projects: my escape - and my long-term stay

What is your professional background and why did you want to work at msg Research?

I have a multidisciplinary IT degree behind me and a doctorate in usability research. At the same time, I worked in a research institute in the UX field for ten years. After my parental leave, I found msg Research by chance and immediately realized that it was the right fit for me. I enjoy working on cross-industry innovation projects and I like passing on my knowledge in training courses, communities and publications.

What focus topics do you work on and drive at msg Research?

My passion is human-centered design. It is important to me that the focus is on the users of the solutions, regardless of whether it is about user experience design for a single system or design thinking for new innovations.

What does an innovative, creative approach mean to you?

For me, it is important that creative processes are also structured. With a predefined approach and proven methods, we come up with innovative and useful solutions. Many iterations are often necessary to ensure that the solutions ultimately fit the target group perfectly. It is also important to critically examine and optimize your own approach - and to adapt it creatively if necessary.