From turntables to dashboards: the work of Business Architect Nik at Rabobank FECtech.
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A future fit work environment
Nik Terbruggen, formerly a music producer, exchanged his turntables for a desk at Rabobank. As a Business Architect within FEC (Financial Economic Crime) Tech, he is constructing a digital working environment that all FEC analysts are using. His goal? To ensure that this environment remains solid and adaptable not only now, but also in the future.
Business Architect at FEC Tech
The work of a Business Architect is akin to that of a traditional architect, Nik explains. “Before anything is built, I think like an architect about what it needs to fulfil. How can I ensure that this working environment remains rock-solid ten years from now, while also allowing for expansion with new technologies?”
Music of the future
“We’re working towards a shared environment where all analysts can seamlessly collaborate.” This environment is designed to streamline individual work processes and enhance cooperation among different teams. “FEC has grown significantly, resulting in various isolated ‘islands.’ My task, with the help of this platform, is to ensure that these ‘islands’ move harmoniously. Beyond improved collaboration, this work environment also enables us to easily exchange technical components.”
There are so many companies fighting financial crime, we play that gatekeeper role together."
Gatekeeper Role
The work environment is being built using Pega technology, Nik explains. He’s referring to Pega Platform, a leading provider of software for business process management. Nik even flew to the headquarters in Boston last year to collaborate with fellow architects on improvements.
Such a work environment is not only beneficial for Rabobank but also for organizations worldwide. “So many companies are fighting financial crime—we fulfil that gatekeeper role together.” Fortunately, they connect with each other at events such as the Leaders in Finance AML (Anti Money Laundering) conference,. A conference where “seventy different organizations were present—banks, as well as institutions like the DNB, the FIU, and law enforcement—to discuss shared responsibility in this field.”
Trust Relationship
As a Business Architect, Nik serves as a connecting link. He carefully considers feedback from analysts and input from management, incorporating all perspectives into the development of the work environment. Change management is also a crucial aspect of his role. Nik understands that while you can devise the perfect technological solution, it must also be understood. For this, more than just logical arguments are necessary; you need to build a trust relationship
The most exciting aspect of this work is the opportunity for greenfield thinking. Rather than dwelling on today’s obstacles, we focus on what’s possible in the future."
Social Impact
It’s clear that Nik is happy with his move to become a Business Architect. “The most exciting aspect of this work is the opportunity for greenfield thinking. Rather than dwelling on today’s obstacles, we focus on what’s possible in the future.”
For Nik, who previously expressed his creativity through music, this approach feels like a familiar melody. “Just like in music, starting from a blank canvas, I can channel my creativity here as a business architect exploring all the possibilities. It means letting go of everything and asking myself: How would we shape this in an ideal world?”
