EN
Netherlands
EN
Rolling out an innovative pension administration system, together with a new operational organisation: to realise these ambitious plans, Capgemini needed someone with a lot of experience in pension operations. And especially: someone who knew what not to do. Now Ruud Grossfeldt (34) uses his experience to design and improve Capgemini’s system processes.
“History, and especially military history: that’s been my fascination ever since I was a young boy. So I went to Utrecht to study Military History, with a minor in Public Administration. But there just aren’t any jobs in that field. After working in a few odd jobs after graduation, I ended up in the pension sector, where I spent seven years working in a variety of roles. Capgemini came into my sights in mid-2019, and I knew right away: that’s exactly what I’m looking for.”
The project
“We do most of our banking online today, and we can arrange our insurance issues with just a few clicks. But the pension sector is behind when it comes to digitisation. Paperwork is the rule, rather than the exception for much of the administration. So we’re working on a completely new, fully digital platform to fill that gap.”
From role to role
“During my first year as a Business Analyst, I drew up all of the administrative processes. Then I spent around eight months helping with the implementation. Now, my role as a Business Analyst is mainly to act as a kind of ‘translator’ between the two worlds of the users and builders. I describe the demands of the people who work with it in such a way that our software engineers can make what they need.”
Amazing job
“In addition to linking those two worlds, I also have to link between countries. I work intensively together with teams in Vietnam, India and Poland from our office in Utrecht, and from home for the past year. That is challenging and definitely not always easy, but the international aspect gives the work a unique dynamic, and I really enjoy it. We haven’t travelled at all for a while now, but I hope to be able to visit my team in Vietnam as soon as all the restrictions are lifted.”
Order of the day
“On a normal day, I’d park my bike in front of Capgemini Utrecht a bit before eight in the morning. Just in time for the first call with the IT team in Vietnam. They’re putting the last touches on an UPA functionality, and they have a few questions. A half hour later, I have a call with the business in the Netherlands to discuss the latest problems. At nine, I have my daily start meeting with all the business analysts working on the pension project.”
“This morning, I have a pre-refinement with Vietnam, where I explain what they have to build and what the expectations are. The refinement will follow a few days later. After lunch, I’ve scheduled time to work on my user stories or to have a meeting with other business analysts in the project. Together we’ll think of possible solutions to a problem. I also spend some time on two subcommittees of the Works Council. One item on the agenda is the new pension system and its consequences for the Capgemini pension fund. Around 17:30 I’ll cycle home and get some exercise.”
“This morning, I have a pre-refinement with Vietnam, where I explain what they have to build and what the expectations are. The refinement will follow a few days later. After lunch, I’ve scheduled time to work on my user stories or to have a meeting with other business analysts in the project. Together we’ll think of possible solutions to a problem. I also spend some time on two subcommittees of the Works Council. One item on the agenda is the new pension system and its consequences for the Capgemini pension fund. Around 17:30 I’ll cycle home and get some exercise.”
Learning
“I also spend a lot of time studying for my work. Capgemini offers plenty of opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills. That wide selection was one of my main reasons for choosing to work here. I can take all sorts of training courses in the area of business analysis. For example, I recently earned the BCS certification for process modelling and requirements analysis, and now I’m working on a course on SAFe Agile. We also have an online learning platform with a lot of courses, like the SQL training that I’ve taken.”
Advice
“A lot of people think that the step to a company like Capgemini would be impossible without an IT background. But all you really need is a healthy attitude towards problem solving, good analytical skills and an affinity with IT. I’m living proof of that!”
