Florian Rappel
Head of Software Development Digitalization
Experience
Head of Software Development Digitalization
CHIRON Group SE
Cross-site responsibility for a digital product portfolio and the underlying infrastructure.
- Built a motivated development team of 15 people.
- Restructured the overall organization to enable it in the digital environment.
- Adjusted organization and processes to optimize development and maintenance of the product portfolio.
- Introduced new tools and methods to increase efficiency and quality in software development.
Scrum Master / Team Lead
CHIRON
Introduction of agile methods and practices in multidisciplinary teams to improve efficiency and transparency of workflows in a challenging environment with frequent interruptions by operational tasks. Focus is on small steps, rapid experimentation, preserving successes and quick adaptation in case of failure to minimize team burden and avoid jeopardizing their core tasks.
- Identified obstacles in the development process through exchange with teams and colleagues
- Validated new methods and tools to simplify workflows
- Introduced and administered Jira for general task management in software development
- Introduced and administered Confluence for knowledge management
- Gradually introduced meaningful Scrum artifacts (sprints, sprint planning, product owner role, reviews, etc.)
- Continuously analyzed and optimized methods and processes through retrospectives with teams and colleagues
- Enabled and motivated teams to work autonomously
- Took on the role of Scrum Master.
By implementing Jira and Confluence, a central platform for documentation and management of tasks and knowledge was created, increasing transparency and clarity in software development. The introduction of appropriate Scrum artifacts improved team efficiency and focus. Additionally, the creation of a product owner role optimized product quality and support. These tools and methods proved successful and have since been adopted by other departments.
- Process optimization
- Jira and Confluence administration and usage
- Scrum
- Knowledge management
- Requirements management
- Business analytics
- Agile methods
Business Analyst / Team Lead
CHIRON
The company develops digital products such as user interfaces and software for machine data visualization in addition to its machine tools. Since these products and the processes for installation and support are still relatively new, operational areas often face difficulties, leading to developers being involved in uncoordinated operational tasks. To reduce the development team’s workload, better coordinate unplanned tasks and support the operational team, the company plans to introduce an IT support system and establish suitable processes and structures.
- Analyzed and described the current situation in the development and operational environment through discussions with affected colleagues
- Contributed to developing a support concept to coordinate requests from operational areas
- Co-designed the framework for the third-level support process (support request templates, workflows, SLAs, etc.)
- Introduced and assisted in configuring a ticket system (Jira Service Desk plugin)
- Trained affected colleagues in using the support system and defined processes
- Coordinated support cases for a software development area
- Analyzed support cases over about one year and derived solutions to reduce support requests
- Founded a self-managed operational team with deep understanding of products and technologies
Introducing a third-level support system established a tool to decouple operational areas from development and accelerate finding information, documents and FAQs, allowing operational teams to work more independently. The one-year analysis of support requests showed that despite initial successes, additional capacity and adapted processes and structures were needed for sustainable handling of operational tasks. This led to the creation of a new operational team trained in relevant topics and empowered for autonomous work. In summary, operational areas now work more independently, support requests are less frequent and of higher quality, solutions to support requests are implemented and documented sustainably, and development resources are freed for strategic tasks and projects.
- Process optimization
- Jira and Confluence administration and usage
- Scrum
- Knowledge management
- Requirements management
- Business analytics
- Agile methods
Head of Software Development Digitalization
CHIRON Werke
Strategic and operational management of the development of user interfaces and digital products for machine tools, from concept to series release.
Product Owner
CHIRON Werke
The development of a new, modern and context-sensitive machine tool requires a completely redesigned and advanced control panel. The goal is to create a combination of hardware and software modules that offers increased usability and efficiency for CNC-controlled machine tools. Using state-of-the-art technology such as touchscreens and applying interaction concepts aims to make the control panel more user-friendly.
- Initiated the project and generated necessary documentation
- Conducted workshops to develop hardware and software requirements
- Developed a global navigation and interaction concept
- Specified individual user interfaces and functions
- Acted as communication channel between stakeholders and development team
- Maintained the product backlog and supported the development team during development
- Responsible for overall architecture (hardware, operating system, technology stack)
- Collaborated with UX consultants for a modern overall concept
- Coordinated project partners/suppliers
- Prepared requirements and feedback during the project
The project led to the development of a modern, user-friendly control panel based on a large touchscreen complemented by additional haptic control components (button modules, override potentiometers, etc.). By adapting menus and screens to the current operation and displaying context-dependent information, the operator is maximally supported in daily work. The control panel architecture is designed so that the software can be easily expanded with necessary functions in the future. Since series introduction, the control panel has been used in all new machines.
- Product Owner
- Product management
- Interaction concept
- Requirements management
- Stakeholder management
- Teamwork
- Communication
Software Developer C++/Qt
CHIRON Werke
- Designed and developed standard user interfaces for machine tools.
- Implemented customer-specific solutions, from requirements analysis to customer acceptance.
Summary
question, analyze and optimize The only constant in the world is change. With the right approach, I turn change into improvement.
design, create and inspire People decide emotionally. Therefore I commit to inspiring solutions, which in turn are the key to satisfied customers.
Languages
Education
DHBW Stuttgart, Campus Horb
Bachelor of Engineering · Electrical Engineering - Automation · Horb am Neckar, Germany
Skilled Worker · Electronics Technician for Automation
Certifications & licenses
Professional Scrum Product Owner I
scrum.org
Professional Scrum Master I
scrum.org
Advanced Seminar Project Management
PS Consulting
Fundamentals of Project Management
PS Consulting
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