We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Barbara Schwarzwald, a skilled product owner at Decadis, Atlassian-certified expert, and math enthusiast.
In this conversation, we delve into her academic journey, her transition into the tech industry, and her perspective on achieving work-life balance.
Let’s dive in!
Bio
Barbara is not afraid of change. After diving deep into research during her studies and getting a PhD in theoretical computer science, she switched gears to a more hands-on career as a technical consultant at Decadis in 2021.
In that position, she worked together with various customers to bring their requirements to life. All that she learned during that about working with and administrating Life in Jira, she is now bringing into her new role as a Product Owner for a part of the Decadis app portfolio.
The Conversation
Barbara, thank you for joining us! To start, could you introduce yourself?
Barbara: Hi, I’m Barbara. I’ve been working in the tech sector for three years now, all with Decadis. I started as a solution consultant and am now a product owner for one of our apps, so I’ve gained some diverse perspectives. Before that, I spent quite a bit of time in academia, completing my bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in computer science. I live in Bonn, while Decadis is based in Koblenz. I’m lucky that I only have to go to the office once a week, which makes the commute manageable.
Outside of work, I’m a bit of a nerd! I love board games, video games, and solving puzzles.
It’s great that your company offers flexibility. Would you say you’re a fan of remote work?
Barbara: Absolutely. One of the great things about the IT industry is how quickly it embraced remote work. During my PhD, especially with COVID, I realized it doesn’t matter where my desk is to get work done.
At Decadis, remote work was an option from day one, which was a big plus for me. Initially, I went to the office just once a month, but now I go weekly because I enjoy meeting colleagues in person. It’s all about balance—building connections at the office while maintaining focus at home.
Let’s talk about your academic journey. You spent quite a bit of time in university. What drew you to study computer science initially?
Barbara: I’ve always loved solving puzzles and problems, so I’d say that’s what initially drew me in. I didn’t want to study pure math because I wanted something more practical to apply it to. That’s why I went for applied computer science with incorporated practical parts. Interestingly, during my bachelor’s, I noticed that the theoretical parts were actually the most fun for me.
Computer science is often seen as male-dominated. What was your experience as a woman in such a field?
Barbara: It’s true—computer science is very male-dominated. In my studies, only about 20% of the students were women. But I never really had major issues. During my PhD, my department actually had more women than the student average, which was great to see.
I think being a bit nerdy myself helped—I share hobbies like gaming and puzzles with the stereotypical computer science crowd. It made it easier to connect with others. But I know that’s not the case for everyone, and the industry still has a lot to do to become more inclusive.
After so many years in academia, how did you transition to the tech industry?
Barbara: I was actually quite cautious at first. I wondered if my theoretical background was “practical” enough for the industry. I had some self-doubt—could I program well enough? Would my skills translate?
My first job after finishing my PhD was actually with a government institute connected to academia. It wasn’t pure research, but it also wasn’t quite the private tech industry. Unfortunately, the role didn’t feel like a good fit—I didn’t feel like I was contributing much, so I left within six months.
After that, I took some time off to reorient myself. I attended a career event where companies were showcasing their work and hiring. That’s where I met a few people from Decadis. Their vibe was so genuine and down-to-earth. I immediately thought, “If these guys can be themselves here, this might be the right place for me.” That’s how I ended up joining, and it’s been a great match ever since.
What does your role as a product owner entail?
Barbara: As a product owner, I’m responsible for defining the product’s vision, prioritizing features, and ensuring we build something that meets user needs. It’s a balancing act between the technical side—what’s feasible—and the business side—aligning with company goals.
I’m like the connective tissue between different departments. I work closely with developers to plan features, while also being the point of contact for customers to understand their use cases and what they’re missing. Internally, I represent the app to marketing and sales teams, always keeping the product’s vision in focus.
What makes a good product manager, in your view?
Barbara: A good product is signified by solving a problem that exists and has no solution yet. My problem-solving focus helps me see what the issue is and how we can solve it. Sometimes people use your app in unintended ways, not because they don’t understand it, but because they have a need and found a way to meet it with your product. That’s actually a use case you could properly support rather than just accidentally support. This insight comes from being in contact with customers – it’s not something that necessarily comes up from a purely developmental perspective.
A good product manager needs excellent communication skills and the ability to listen—really listen—to different perspectives. They should be organized but also flexible, as priorities can shift quickly. Empathy is key, both for the users and the team. And, of course, a good grasp of the product’s technical and business aspects is essential. It’s about connecting the dots and making sure everything comes together seamlessly.
How do you manage work-life balance in tech?
Barbara: The PhD was actually more challenging for balance because it was my own project – if I didn’t get it done, it wouldn’t happen. For one of those five years, I was trying to prove something that turned out not to be true, which was frustrating. In my current position, it’s more of a team effort, making it easier to ask for advice and work together.
Working from home gives me flexibility – there might be days where I work longer than 8 hours, but that might be because I’m choosing to do more on a Tuesday or Thursday so I can finish earlier on Friday. I try to find balance within a week or month to not let things pile up. Having my husband there helps – we remind each other when we’ve worked late and should take time off to balance it out.
What has been your biggest challenge in tech so far?
Barbara: Honestly, it’s overcoming self-doubt. While I sound confident now, believing in your own abilities takes time. As I gained experience and saw the impact of my work, I realized that everyone brings something unique to the table. Most of us can do more than we think—we just need to trust ourselves.
What advice would you give to women considering a career in tech?
Barbara: Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. When I transitioned from academia, I worried my theoretical background wouldn’t fit, but I’ve learned there’s a place for every skill set in tech.
Also, find an environment that feels right for you. Whether it’s the company culture, your team, or flexibility, it’s important to feel comfortable and valued. And lastly, stay curious. Tech is always evolving, so there’s endless room to grow.
Any insights about German culture you’d like to share?
Barbara: German work culture places a strong emphasis on work-life balance. There’s respect for personal time, and companies tend to support flexible arrangements.
There’s also a practical, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving here, which aligns with how I think.
As for stereotypes about Germans being unfriendly, I don’t think that’s true. Building friendships might take time, but once you have a German friend, they’re incredibly loyal and take the relationship seriously.
Connect with Barbara
If you wish to connect with Barbara and learn more, seek advice, or share similar experiences, feel free to reach out to her via LinkedIn.
More from Barbara:
A webinar with Jodocus: Explore the power of automating workflows in Jira
Recap: Our Experience at Atlassian Team 24 Europe in Barcelona: Reflecting on Atlassian Team 24: A Recap from Decadis
Recap Team 24 Vegas: Reflecting on Atlassian Team 24: A Recap from Decadis
