▶ 2026
The Future of Software Development
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Döllner · Hasso Plattner Institute
From Digital Transformation to Mastery · March 2026 →
Where senior leaders shape the future of software production.
A confidential peer forum for the C-level and engineering leaders accountable for software at scale.
Founded by Seerene with Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) and German Deep Tech Group.
Since 2021 · thirteen gatherings
Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam · Schloss Fürstlich Drehna · Berlin
Invitation only · confidential · no sales content on stage
A peer platform for executives
Industry leaders and academic experts meet on equal footing.
Software production has become a fundamental source of value creation across every industry. The Software Excellence Network is a curated forum where industry leaders and academic experts exchange ideas, share benchmarks and co-shape the methods that raise the bar for the whole industry.
Founded by Seerene and run with the Hasso Plattner Institute and the German Deep Tech Group, the Network operates independently of any single vendor agenda. Masterclasses, roundtables and sector forums bring together practitioners accountable for the productive deployment of thousands of software engineers.
What the Network offers
Four pillars that shape every engagement.
01
Peer exchange
C-level conversations, off the record
Confidential dialogue with other senior leaders facing the same strategic choices around software production, AI adoption and engineering governance.
02
Masterclasses
Deep dives with practitioners
In-depth sessions led by Network members and researchers, covering software-factory metrics, AI operating models and technical-debt strategy.
03
Research access
Early insights from academia
Early findings from academic partners and cross-industry data studies on engineering productivity, delivery quality and organizational performance.
04
Sector forums
Industry-specific roundtables
Focused exchanges for automotive, financial services, insurance and industrial manufacturing, where software-production challenges differ in scale and regulation.
Inside the Network
Conversations that move the industry forward.
Who joins: senior decision-makers accountable for software at scale.
CEOs
Chief executives setting strategic direction for software-dependent value creation and competitiveness.
CIOs and CTOs
Enterprise technology leaders accountable for portfolio delivery and engineering productivity.
CFOs and CDOs
Finance and digital leaders funding software-intensive transformation programs.
Supervisory boards
Board members holding executives accountable for software-dependent business outcomes.
Academia
Researchers in software engineering, organizational performance and AI–human collaboration.
Events and gatherings since 2021
Thirteen gatherings to date: executive exchanges in Berlin, retreats at Schloss Fürstlich Drehna and masterclasses at the Hasso Plattner Institute. Each page records talks, speakers and impressions, with speakers’ consent; recordings and slides where published.
Klausurtagung Software-Management 2026
Schloss Fürstlich Drehna, Brandenburg · German
Talks, speakers, impressions →From Digital Transformation to Mastery
EY Germany Office, Berlin · English
Talks, speakers, impressions →Software als Management-Task 2025
Schloss Fürstlich Drehna, Brandenburg · German
Talks, speakers, impressions →Earlier gatherings
June 2025
Executive Exchange
Transform or Face Disruption
EINZ Tower, Berlin
English
November 2024
Master class
Beyond the Engine
Microsoft Atrium, Berlin
English
May 2024
Master class
Envisioning Tomorrow’s Code
EY Tower, Berlin Mitte
English
November 2023
Executive Exchange
Sharing the Roadmap
Hasso Plattner Institute, Babelsberg
English
March 2023
Executive Exchange
Navigating Software Production
Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
English
September 2022
Master class
Automotive Software Factory — Learning Curves
Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
English
June 2022
Master class
Softwareproduktion aus Sicht des CFO
German Deep Tech Villa
German
English
March 2022
Master class
Softwareproduktion & Sustainability
Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
German
English
October 2021
Master class
Die ideale Software Factory für Finance & Insurance
Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
German
September 2021
Master class
Automotive Software Factory
Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
English
German
From the stage
82 recorded talks and panels, open to everyone.
Masterclasses and executive exchanges since 2021, published on Seerene’s YouTube channel with the speakers’ consent. Pick a year, open a talk, or go to the gathering it belongs to.
Showing 8 of 82
Seerene on YouTube →
Voices of the Network
89 executives and researchers have taken the stage since 2021.
Dr. Ingo Alfter
Chief Engineer for Global Braking Software, ZF Group
Thomas Andrae
Linden Capital
Maria Anhalt
CEO, Elektrobit
Dorothée Appel
CIO Personal & Business Banking and Functions, ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Markus Armbruster
CTO, Thalia
Oliver Bahns
SVP Connected Mobility, T-Systems
Prof. Dr. Christian Bär
CTO, Datev
Stephan Bauer
Platform Domain Manager, Catena-X
Markus Baum
Partner, Roland Berger
Dr. Martina Beck
CEO, MaibornWolff
Jens Becker
CIDO, Zurich Gruppe Deutschland
Dr. Jost Bernasch
CEO, Virtual Vehicle
Dr. Wolfgang Bernhart
Senior Partner, Roland Berger
Dr. Inga von Bibra
Executive Board Member, Microsoft Germany
Jaroslav Bláha
CIO/CTO, trivago
Arlene Bühler
CIO/CDO, DB Cargo AG
Dr. Matthias Burger
Director of Cross-Domain Computing, Bosch
Dr.-Ing. Sven-Kelana Christiansen
SVP IT & Process Services, Aurubis
Names, titles and organizations as published on seerene.com at the time of each gathering. Hover a portrait for the gathering(s).
Event types are reduced to three labels: Retreat, Executive Exchange, Master class. Language of each event is stated; pages keep their original language. All thirteen gatherings have taken place; the next retreat is announced to members first.
Joining
Membership is by invitation
If your role and organization match the profile above, ask for an introductory conversation. We will tell you plainly whether the forum fits your role and what the next gatherings are.
