Navigating change: How effective project management secures technological advantage and strengthens innovative power
At a time when technological progress and a dynamic market environment are constantly posing new challenges, it is crucial for companies to maintain and expand their competitiveness. This is precisely what thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is doing. Through targeted project management, the company endeavors to strengthen its position in the market and maintain its technological lead.
Today, competitiveness is crucial to the success of any company. Jan Hendrik, Project Manager at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, agrees, but goes even further: "In many areas of industry, our technological lead is shrinking. To remain competitive, we have to deliver better than the competition. And for that we need good project management – at least for complex products." Positive, interpersonal collaboration and structured communication with suppliers, customers and others are needed to ensure a successful project.
Jan Hendrik has been working as a project manager on various topics at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems since he started at the company in 2016. He is currently responsible for two engineering projects, including the ‘Fuel Cell Factory’ project, which involves setting up fuel cell production.
Jan Hendrik has been working at thyssenkrupp Marine since the beginning of 2016. Among other things, he is currently responsible for the ‘Fuel Cell Factory’ project, which involves setting up fuel cell production.
Interpersonal dynamics and professional expertise
The diversity of project work is one of the main reasons why Jan Hendrik chose his profession. "Within a project, there can be a very wide range of activities and communication partners in the team. But you're also in regular dialogue with suppliers, customers, partners and authorities", says the expert. "You learn something new almost every day. The variety of topics helps to keep the work varied."
The everyday work of Jan Hendrik, project manager at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, is characterized by diversity and dynamism. In his opinion, structured communication with suppliers and customers is essential to ensure a successful project.
With his qualification as an industrial engineer, Jan Hendrik has the ideal basis for working in project management, as he sees it: "The technical understanding makes it possible to better understand and evaluate problems. Project management training, on the other hand, primarily strengthens methodological skills." Furthermore, continuous development is important to operate successfully in the project business and keep an eye on further developments.
But what is equally important? For Jan Hendrik, that's easy to answer. "In addition to specialist knowledge, the key characteristics of successful project managers include the ability to shape interpersonal collaboration in a positive way. The willingness to undergo continuous training and development is also very important", says the expert.
Project management in practice
Currently, Jan. Hendrik isresponsible for the ‘Fuel Cell Factory’ project, which particularly fascinates him due to the comprehensive planning and realization of a new building, including state-of-the-art production and testing facilities for fuel cells. "I'm particularly excited about the production ramp-up process, during which we will commission our first in-house developed and manufactured fuel cells ", he says.
In one of his current projects, the ‘Fuel Cell Factory’, Jan Hendrik is responsible for setting up fuel cell production at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Due to the complexity of the project, comprehensive planning is necessary.
The project to set up fuel cell production is now in the realization phase, although there were some challenges to overcome at the beginning. "When I took on the project, I realized that some of the requirements were not included in either the design or the budget", recalls Jan Hendrik. "Construction was due to start in just a few months. It wasn't easy for me to take several steps back at that point." Looking back, however, Jan Hendrik believes that this step was necessary to make the project a success.
As part of the ‘Fuel Cell Factory’ project, Jan Hendrik can work on state-of-the-art production and testing facilities for fuel cells and actively support the development and series production of this innovative type of propulsion at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Competitiveness thanks to teamwork and further training
To strengthen competitiveness, it is important to keep an eye on trends and developments. To this end, Jan Hendrik regularly exchanges information with his colleagues and customers. He also enjoys listening to podcasts, including those on scientific and technical topics. However, working as a team is at least as important to Jan Hendrik. "If you manage to get the team motivated and focused on a common goal, your own training no longer plays a major role", says the project manager.
In addition to keeping a constant eye on trends and developments in the industry, Jan Hendrik believes that an active dialogue with colleagues and customers and a motivated team are key to success.
Jan Hendrik would also like to pass this on to potential applicants: "Interdisciplinary and cross-industry experience, paired with technical expertise from the team, is particularly important for our work." However, he believes that training in project management is recommended in any case.
Interested? Find more information about careers and training at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems here.