In this blog post, our Lifecycle services team members Johanna Karhumaa (Project Lead), Ville Näyhä (Project and People Lead), Joonas Partanen (Senior Software Designer), and Aleksi Rendel (Software Designer) share their insights about the daily life of the team and how they create value for customers through long-term relationships.
Variety of work with complexity and challenge
While many IT projects focus on building and launching new solutions, our Lifecycle services team ensures these solutions continue to serve their purpose efficiently in the long run, providing continuity, fast implementation, and overall security for our customers.
Our work has very little to do with service desk tasks or routine maintenance. Instead, we engage in a variety of tasks, from continuous small-scale development to creating entirely new services. User feedback, business growth, and technological advancements all guide our work. Projects vary in size, but complexity is a common denominator.
In practice, this means working with systems at different stages of their lifecycle. For example, websites or online stores that have undergone significant changes and require ongoing maintenance or further development. The most typical areas of work for us include integrations, internal systems, and data management tools.
“I really enjoy that I don’t have too many meetings and can focus on being self-driven, knowing that help is available if I need it. The tasks vary in size, and I often get to learn something new. I really appreciate the variety of work,” Aleksi says.
A functioning team and systems enable both fast reactions and autonomy
The nature of our work is slightly different, as we support multiple customers simultaneously. Sometimes, urgent issues arise that require a quick response. For these situations, we have a dedicated “sheriff system,” where team members take turns as the weekly sheriff, ensuring urgent matters are handled efficiently. This system allows the rest of the team to stay focused on their tasks while creating space for autonomy and flexibility.
When challenges arise, we work together to tackle them: “My biggest challenge is finding enough time for both customer work and taking care of the team when my calendar tends to be fully booked with project meetings. Luckily, my workload has improved since Ville joined the team and took over some of my responsibilities,” Johanna says.
Diverse expertise across multiple domains
The Lifecycle services team consists of diverse professionals, including Software Developers, Cloud Specialists, and Data Architects. Our team consists of 12 developers and 5 data professionals, and whenever we need expertise in other areas, we have a wide network of fellow Solitans just a Slack message away. Our work spans multiple domains, from cloud-native applications and API integrations to data platforms and AI-driven solutions.
While we have assigned roles, we take on a variety of tasks, from backend and frontend development to DevOps and cloud management—not to mention customer communication.
Because we work across different technologies, industries, and projects, our team members must be highly adaptable and continuously update their skills.
The ability to switch contexts quickly and grasp the big picture is essential for success in our team. At the same time, support is always available when needed. We believe the balance between collaboration and autonomy works well in our setup, accommodating different work styles and varying needs for support.
We have different levels of expertise, and everyone has an opportunity to shape their role. For junior members, a steep learning curve is expected due to the diverse customer projects and shifting contexts. However, the most important skills in our team are attitude, curiosity, and problem-solving on the go.
A unique setup that benefits our customers
Our way of working allows us to serve customers holistically, ensuring a broad range of skills and a mix of different experience levels.
We don’t just maintain tailored solutions—we ensure that the silent knowledge from the project delivery team is transferred and remains accessible. Our developers work closely with customers, going beyond maintenance and problem-solving to actively develop new solutions and provide the best possible service.
A culture of collaboration and learning
One of the standout aspects of working in Lifecycle services is the team culture. The best part of being here is the high professional level of colleagues, strong team spirit, and collaboration. The variety of work and constant learning promotes professional growth, making the work meaningful and rewarding.
Learning and growth extend beyond projects. During quieter periods, there are plenty of opportunities to study new technologies and earn certifications.
The Lifecycle services team is a great choice for those seeking continuous learning, a diverse range of work, and a balance between collaboration and independence. On top of that, we have access to Solita’s vast network of experts across different fields, always ready to support our projects and professional development.
Curious to join our community? See our open positions.
