Who are you and what do you do? With whom are you collaborating (Partner)?
I am Roman Trentinaglia and I do work as a research assistant at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design (IEM) in Paderborn. Within the scope of my promotion and my work at Fraunhofer IEM, I research and create methods and tools with which I can develop safe software-controlled Systems (e.g., modern cars or interlinked industrial facilities) right from the start. This is why I am glad for the opportunity to collaborate with the automotive service provider IAV GmbH in the framework of my Software Campus project.
What do You expect from Software Campus?
My aim is to continue with my doctoral project, implementing initial ideas in a software prototype and validating this – as well as the underlying ideas – directly with industry partners. The Software Campus enables me, among other things, to hire new employees to support me in implementing the prototype. At the same time, I can further develop my leadership skills through the management training courses offered by the Software Campus.
What is your IT-Project about – core topic – and how could it be used in the long run?
My project belongs to the category risk analysis of safety and security. In short, it is about developing a software tool that helps to identify and select efficient countermeasures and defense strategies when developing a technical system – in order to protect the system from threats and ensure that cyberattacks cannot become a danger to people and the environment. These decisions made when selecting these measures shall be automatically transferred to a safety case to simultaneously ensure the traceability of the applied measures throughout the entire development process.
This project could be used, e.g., during the planning of new technical systems (e.g., a new vehicle) or during the draft or, rather, the development of new software features (e.g., autonomous driving features) for already existing systems. The aim is to make systems which are already getting more complex, safe, and also efficient, and comprehensible to develop.
Do you have some funny/exciting/surprising memories linked with computer science? What exactly inspires and fascinates you about computer science?
Next to the mere technical progress that has been made over the years in the performance and miniaturization of computer systems, I find it fascinating to see where software-controlled systems can be found today. Whether in traffic (modern driver assistance systems, networked infrastructure), in industry (intelligent robots & Industry 4.0) or the household (networked household appliances, IoT & home automation): Everything is controlled by software, is programmable and often also connected to the internet. Thereby, on the one hand, many exciting fields of application and advantages do arise, and on the other hand it comes along with being dependent on these systems, which is already a high risk, as the latest hacker attacks show.
Which app/technical invention is more than essential to you?
As someone that on the one hand has many ideas, but on the other hand forgets few things because I cannot remember everything, digital note apps are helpful to quickly write down my idea or task (especially when I’m out). Alternatively, my dear old “low-tech” paper notebook does support me. At last, that is not dependent on my battery 😉
In your opinion, is there a ‘specific’ character trait which a high-level Manager should be fond of to be successful?
In the past, regarding the role’s description of a “high-level manager,” I had those typical stereotypes of a “hard-nosed boss” who does enforce his interests and is also tough-minded. Within the scope of my function at Software Campus, and especially due to the trainings in which I did participate, I noticed that there is no such thing as “the personality” of a leader. Every person has their own strengths, competences, and, therefore, different styles of leadership that can all function. What’s important is that one is aware of their strengths and knows how to apply them positively.
An important trait that all high-level managers have in common is, in my opinion, the ability to recognize the interests and potential of their own employees and take them into account when assigning tasks. This enables a good manager to empower their employees to develop and grow according to their individual skills and inclinations.
Source language of this interview: German
