In the column "on the shop floor at..." we interview ANVA colleagues about their roles, work and responsibilities inside and outside ANVA's doors. This time Jan-Willem Willemsen speaks to us.
So what exactly do you do as an analyst? What does your workday or week look like?
"I'm generally preparing work for the executive teams. I try to get problems as clear as possible to make it discussable internally. I do that partly independently as much as possible, then of course I involve others. I share my outcomes with the product owner of the relevant team and he or she can then crystallize it further."
And do you do it alone, or with fellow analysts?
"No way, we do that together. There are seven analysts in total, each with his or her own specialty. One on BI, the other on UX. I myself focus mainly on the structural implementation of our software. I am asked to look and think high up. I quickly see connections and lines. It is fun to spar with each other about this and to share the knowledge gained. This is something I get a lot of pleasure from, but it also means that I work towards something from a planned approach and with focus."
You focus on a predefined goal.
"Exactly! One of my bigger "irritations" is that quite often it is said that we (want to) make things too complex. In my mind, it's quite the opposite. The trick is to recognize that some things are just complex and that it is quite a challenge to (try to) make just that as simple as possible. With helicopter view and from aspects in different departments, I know how to interact with the various roles, functions and colleagues working within ANVA."
So do you work a lot with a particular team, number of colleagues or functions within ANVA?
"Part of my time is spent on the content team within ANVA. In addition, we as analysts are working together more and more. We seek connection with the product management branch of ANVA. After all, they determine which developments are put on the roadmap. The earlier we can act on this, the more we can help the various development teams on their way. Together we try to realize as many customer needs as possible. By talking to different stakeholders and also looking at each issue from multiple angles, we arrive at the final solution."
Zooming out to see the whole picture, is that what you like to do?
"Exactly! And then structure where others haven't (yet) seen it."
So what makes that so much fun for you?
"At some point I see synergy emerging. By making the process as simple as possible, you can gain advantages, make choices. From there I can create a plan of action and know how we can work together toward the ultimate goal. I personally find nothing more annoying than processes that fly in all directions. It's important to have a goal in mind."
Beautiful! And if you look back now, what has happened in recent years or what have you remembered that you are proud of?
"Pfoeh. I think that's a tough question, mind you. I've definitely achieved some milestones, but haven't really captured them to put it that way. I'm finding my way and have experienced a lot of changes. Organizational, but also product specific changes. Also as a team we have been able to deliver really cool technological and complex things."
So is there perhaps a milestone for yourself, your own career, that comes to mind?
"I don't immediately remember anything specific, but I do enjoy working with and on different teams every day. There has certainly been a lot of improvement in that in recent years. We know how to find each other better and better and utilize each other more effectively."
And when you look ahead to the future. What do you hope will be a success?
"Then I immediately say professionalizing the analysis work within ANVA, so that analysis really adds value to our platform. Together with the group of analysts, I would like to attend training courses, work on certain skills, know how to document even better, but also supervise workshops. In other words: to learn the material even better, to grow, deepen and renew. All in order to know even better what concerns our customers. To translate customer needs and problems into software solutions that actually matter."
