The day of an ATP Group Leader

Whether I am an active or a passive early-riser depends upon the state of ongoing problems. If things are going well, then I rise early with enthusiasm – if not, then it is the butterflies in the stomach that chase me out from under the covers. Arriving in the office, my first move is to switch the computer on and to plan what at first sight is a pretty empty day. In reality, I usually manage to stick to this planning for about two hours before events take over. The day is usually a mix of technical questions, discussions with project leaders, fending off ridiculous claims and finding a way through the contractual jungle. A growing part of my own role by ATP is the analysis of constructional problems and subsequent establishment of a remedy. Questions from colleagues are dealt with as a priority, because experience shows that on the next day there will be no more time to solve them. All other matters are arranged according to how long they can be put off – in the hope that as many as possible will solve themselves – while the urgent things can be properly and promptly dealt with. And that is the most interesting aspect.

If problems and their causes are recognisable, then they can usually be pretty simply sorted out. If, however, they are more complicated, they can pose a real challenge – and through finding the solution we continue our life-long learning process and knowledge creation. And that is ATP’s strength – a team-based approach which uses the synergy effect as its best method of problem solving.

Peter Klein

ATP Innsbruck