Software has become one of the central drivers of corporate value creation and competitiveness. Yet in many boardrooms, the topic still does not receive the attention it deserves. Technical, cultural, and organizational barriers often turn software into a black box.
The central question of the retreat: How can top management take charge of software as a strategic lever and actively shape direction, oversight, and accountability?
The urgency is evident: European corporations risk falling behind in the international race if software development and strategy do not become board-level responsibilities.
The two-day retreat combined keynote impulses, executive discussions, and confidential networking.
The day concluded with a joint dinner and an exclusive wine tasting – a forum for open and candid discussions in an informal yet focused atmosphere.
Additional contributions from ZF Group and KPMG added perspectives on risk, regulation, and transformation.
The combination of strategic relevance, deep expertise, and a trusted, confidential setting made this retreat truly exceptional. Schloss Fürstlich Drehna provided not only an inspiring backdrop but also the right atmosphere for candid board-level discussions, far removed from day-to-day business routines.
We extend our sincere thanks to our partners, the Hasso Plattner Institute and the German Deep Tech Group, and to all speakers and their organizations. Their contributions and openness made “Software as a Management Task” a forward-looking forum for supervisory board members and senior executives alike.
The debates in Fürstlich Drehna have made one thing clear: software is no longer just an IT issue – it is a management imperative. The transformation awaiting European corporations over the coming years must begin in the boardroom.
The next gathering of the Software Excellence Network will continue this dialogue – with the same clarity, openness, and exclusivity that defined this retreat.
