Spiderman's calling: How to Empower Teams to Deliver High Quality Software

With Great Trust Comes Great Responsibility:
How to Super Empower Teams to Continuously Deliver High Quality Software

Micha(el) Kutz will take you on his software engineering journey and says Farewell to his 12-year-journey at REWE digital (THANK YOU, MICHA!):
"16 years ago I worked as a junior developer on a huge project. The situation was bleak. Release trains with rigid schedules, only to be followed by long bug fixing phases. It was close to unbearable, probably nobody enjoyed working there, and the delivered quality was way below desired standards. One year later, many things had changed in the project's structure. Suddenly, I worked on a team that delivered high quality even before deadlines were met, which found their own creative ways to do so and had a lot of fun at work. It was like we were bit by a radioactive spider and developed superpowers. Ever since that team, I tried to reproduce that spirit in any team I joined. To find the radioactive spider that bit us. Sometimes I succeeded, sometimes I did not.

In this keynote, I will tell you about my attempts. About things that seemed super important, but turned out to be mere details. And about details that seemed unimportant, yet turned out to be essential. About why today I think that trust is the most important and first component, and what other components are essential when building a team with the super power to continuously deliver high quality software in the most efficient way."

When: May 27, 2026
doors open at 6:00pm
start of the tech talk at 6:30pm
Location: This meetup will take place at our REWE digital premises in Cologne.
REWE digital, Schanzenstraße 6-20, Building 2.20 Cologne
Food and drinks? As always on us!

About Micha

"I'm a Software Engineer with a passion for systems, quality, and the people who build them. In June 2026, I'm joining Entropy Data as a Staff Engineer. Prior to that, I spent almost 12 years as a Principal Engineer at REWE digital, where I played a key role in shaping agile development, test automation, and SRE practices.

I am particularly fascinated by the intersection of code and psychology: How do cognitive biases influence our software architecture? How do metrics drive our behavior? I regularly speak and write about these topics at international conferences and on platforms like InfoQ.

A big part of my heart goes into open-source. I am the creator and maintainer of tools like ApproveJ, Stubit, and the Shakespeare Framework.

When I'm not analyzing complex systems or tinkering with new tools, you'll likely find me lacing up my running shoes, playing video games, or relaxing in distant sci-fi universes."

About REWE digital

REWE digital is the technology powerhouse behind one of Germany’s largest retail groups, with nearly 2,500 people working across five European countries – the majority of them right here in Cologne. Their team has been shaping the future of retail through technology since 1984, from e-commerce and apps to warehouse logistics and data infrastructure. We’re glad to call them our hosts.

How to find us:
We encourage you to use public transportation. For example, take KVB Line 4 to Keupstraße. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to REWE digital. From Cologne Mülheim Station, it takes about 15 minutes. If you do decide to come by car, you can use the parking spaces designated for REWE digital on the premises for free.

🌈All Genders and Ages welcome!
We speak (at least) English and German during this Meetup.
This event will be only in-person. If you feel some signs of sickness, please consider skipping this event and attending another time. We will have plenty of meetups in the future.
REWE digital. Part of REWE Group.