Starting a professional career after university can be both exciting and challenging. Since graduating from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2023, Anna Storli Tveit and Katrine Holm have been navigating their first years as consultants at Netcompany. They’ve quickly learned that collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.
It all started one summer in 2022
Their journey at Netcompany began with a summer internship in 2022. During their internship, they were given responsibilities on real projects — not just to observe, but to actively solve challenges for a client. The experience offered a clear picture of what life as a consultant in Netcompany could be like. »It gave me a realistic view of everyday life in the role and showed me that this was something I wanted to be part of,« says Katrine.
Today, they’re full-time consultants, working side by side with their teams to build solutions that make a difference.
Working together to make a difference
Rather than being placed on projects alone, Katrine and Anna have become part of dedicated teams from day one. Katrine is currently part of a large team at the Norwegian Medical Products Agency, where they’re developing a new digital solution to streamline the client’s internal processes. Anna has worked on DigiBarnevern, a project creating a new system that directly impacts child welfare services in Norway. While their projects differ, one thing is clear: collaboration is key.
»We’re a team of 20. Given our size, it’s not feasible for everyone to have a complete overview,« says Katrine. »But we rely on each other’s strengths to build something that works. Everyone brings something different to the table, and when we collaborate early and openly, we make better decisions — for the users, and for each other« says Katrine.
Anna Storli Tveit (left) and Katrine Holm (right)
Katrine Holm
Why involving the right people early makes all the difference
For Anna, the importance of collaboration became especially clear during her work on DigiBarnevern, where developers, testers, and business consultants worked closely together to improve the solution.
Testers and business consultants were responsible for training the end-users, which meant they developed a deep understanding of users’ needs and expectations. »It was crucial to involve them early in the development process,« Anna explains. »They brought valuable insights from real user interactions that helped us design better functionality.«
She highlights how team members’ different roles naturally led them to identify challenges and prioritise differently. »Having dedicated roles that safeguard different perspectives allowed us to discuss and find the best solutions,« she says.
DigiBarnevern became a clear example to Anna of how early and open collaboration leads to better decisions and, ultimately, better outcomes.
Inside the green zone: where collaboration thrives
Katrine believes that collaboration works better when teams feel safe to think out loud. One approach she finds effective is the idea of a green zone, a space for creative thinking, where the threshold is low for coming up with new ideas. »When the pressure to get it right is removed, people are more willing to speak up,« she says.
The green zone can be applied to various problem-solving situations – ranging from suggestions on system functionality to suggesting ways to improve team collaboration. For Katrine, the green zone doesn’t just generate ideas; it strengthens collaboration by building a culture of safety where everyone feels empowered to contribute. This shift turns collaboration into a natural and continuous way of working together.
Anna Storli Tveit
Facing collaboration challenges head-on
Working in large teams comes with challenges. Katrine highlights that it can be difficult to ensure all relevant information reaches everyone who needs it, and that individual tasks may unintentionally impact others’ work. To stay aligned, her team uses daily standups, weekly status reports and meetings to share knowledge, solve problems, and improve collaboration.
Anna adds that different roles often bring different expectations, which can sometimes create tension. »That’s why it’s important to have arenas like retrospectives and workshops where everyone can discuss their viewpoints openly,« she says. »When all sides are heard, it’s easier for the team to move forward together.«
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