Tax Authority: strategic choice for complete Qualogy team

In September 2023, a challenging project started at the Tax Administration. The goal: the transition to a renewed architecture to support a future-proof IT landscape. A challenge in which the Tax Office chose to use a complete Qualogy team in the implementation. A choice that offers both the client and the team itself many advantages and assurances.

What does the project entail?
The Tax Office wants to implement a modern and flexible architecture, moving away from EJBs and towards REST services. The Qualogy team is responsible for converting existing EIB services to REST services. The focus is on the domain of storing forms, which is crucial for both citizens and businesses.

The project includes forms such as the income tax form, payroll tax, and sales tax. The team, consisting of six Qualogy Java developers, is working to develop a new REST service that can handle large numbers of requests, especially during peak periods such as March when tax returns are due.

The choice of a complete team
Hiring a complete team, complementary in skills (end-to-end development competencies) and with a balanced structure in seniority, offers clear advantages for the Tax Administration. In the current labor market, for example, finding suitable employees is a challenge. By hiring a complete team, the Tax Administration can benefit from:

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• Familiarity and cooperation: The Qualogy team consists of people who already know each other. This allows them to start quickly and work together efficiently, which improves the pace and quality of the project.
• Reduced risks: Qualogy takes responsibility for delivering the work and filling staffing gaps, allowing the Tax Office to focus on their core business.
• Flexibility: The team can work autonomously, but also has the ability to collaborate with internal Tax Department staff. This makes it possible to move quickly and maintain focus.

Security and familiarity promotes efficiency and growth
But also the team itself experiences many benefits from this construction. Ronald Bakker, Sr. Java developer at Qualogy and teamlead of the Qualogy Belastingdienst team indicates that working in a complete Qualogy team promotes the growth and development of the team members. And thereby promotes the efficiency and speed of the project.

Ronald explains, “Because the team starts as a unit, colleagues already know each other and know what they can do with each other, the start-up phase is shorter. Team members can get started quickly and add value immediately.”

In addition, Ronald also emphasizes that team members have the opportunity to take responsibility right from day one. As he himself experiences in his role as team lead. “Usually it takes a while before you become a team lead. You often have to prove yourself to the customer first, show what you have to offer. In this construction of a complete Q-team, I could take my role as teamlead from the beginning. That’s a nice advantage for me as a senior. For the more junior and medior developers, working in this team provides a safe environment where they can learn from experienced team members, promoting their professional growth.”

Why the Inland Revenue chose team Qualogy
The choice of Qualogy stemmed from a process in which several teams competed for the contract. What set Qualogy apart was the build-up in seniority and project experience, as well as the unity and technical know-how the team demonstrated during the onsite team intake. The right balance of experience and young talent, combined with a strong team lead, gave the Tax Office confidence that Qualogy could meet the challenge.

The team spirit and collaboration with the Tax Office
One of the reasons the Qualogy team is successful is the strong team feeling and good cooperation with the Tax Administration. The team has regular meetings with internal staff, such as scrum masters, system groups and other teams. This ensures close collaboration and a common understanding of project goals.

The team works together one day a week at the Belastingdienst office in Apeldoorn and one day at the Qualogy office. This provides a good balance between collaboration and autonomy, keeping the team focused and connected.

Conclusion: working together towards success
The project at the Tax Office provides a valuable experience for both the Qualogy team and the Tax Office. The choice of a complete team is a smart move that benefits both the pace and quality of work. For Java developers who want to work in an environment where they can learn and grow quickly, this team construction is ideal.