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Five years at one company marks a journey of growth, trust, and shared experience. To celebrate this milestone, we spoke with Bane and Novica, colleagues whose professional paths have been closely connected from the very beginning.
From their early days working together to leading complex mobile mapping projects, they share insights into teamwork, professional development, and the evolving role of technology in their field.
You started out together, were roommates, worked on the same projects… What is the biggest advantage of working as a tandem?
Bane:
Working with a close friend makes collaboration much easier. We understand each other without lengthy explanations and intuitively know how the other approaches problems, which makes daily work more efficient and smoother.
Working with a close friend makes collaboration much easier. We understand each other without lengthy explanations and intuitively know how the other approaches problems, which makes daily work more efficient and smoother.
Novica:
The biggest advantage is mutual trust and understanding. After years of collaboration, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which allows work to flow naturally and decisions to be made with confidence.
The biggest advantage is mutual trust and understanding. After years of collaboration, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which allows work to flow naturally and decisions to be made with confidence.
What would you say is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from each other?
Bane:
Since our professional journey began at university and continued through working on the same projects, it’s difficult to single out one thing. We learned a lot together — from technical skills to handling challenges, deadlines, and responsibility.
Since our professional journey began at university and continued through working on the same projects, it’s difficult to single out one thing. We learned a lot together — from technical skills to handling challenges, deadlines, and responsibility.
Novica:
Having known each other since high school, we’ve shared both major challenges and meaningful moments. If I had to highlight one thing, it would be composure — staying calm, patient, and clear-headed in both professional and life situations.
Having known each other since high school, we’ve shared both major challenges and meaningful moments. If I had to highlight one thing, it would be composure — staying calm, patient, and clear-headed in both professional and life situations.
If you had to describe each other in three words, what would they be?
Bane:
Reliable, hardworking, organized.
Reliable, hardworking, organized.
Novica:
Composed, responsible, reliable.
Composed, responsible, reliable.
Which skills have you developed the most over the past five years, and what was the most challenging step on the path to becoming a Project Manager?
Bane:
Communication and organizational skills were the most important to develop. Learning how to clearly communicate expectations, set priorities, delegate tasks, and keep the team motivated is an ongoing process that requires time and practice.
Communication and organizational skills were the most important to develop. Learning how to clearly communicate expectations, set priorities, delegate tasks, and keep the team motivated is an ongoing process that requires time and practice.
Novica:
I’ve made the biggest progress in coordinating people, defining priorities, and maintaining team focus under pressure. The most challenging step toward becoming a Project Manager was taking full responsibility and stepping out of my operational comfort zone to focus on the bigger picture. Learning to balance client expectations, team capacity, and deadlines shaped me professionally and continues to motivate my growth.
I’ve made the biggest progress in coordinating people, defining priorities, and maintaining team focus under pressure. The most challenging step toward becoming a Project Manager was taking full responsibility and stepping out of my operational comfort zone to focus on the bigger picture. Learning to balance client expectations, team capacity, and deadlines shaped me professionally and continues to motivate my growth.
Do you remember the moment when you thought: “Okay, now we’ve really grown in this job”?
Bane:
Those moments come after every successfully completed project, especially when we’ve mastered something new and delivered strong results. The very next project usually brings a new challenge that reminds me there’s always more to learn. That constant sense of growth and pushing boundaries is actually the best indicator of how much we’ve progressed.
Those moments come after every successfully completed project, especially when we’ve mastered something new and delivered strong results. The very next project usually brings a new challenge that reminds me there’s always more to learn. That constant sense of growth and pushing boundaries is actually the best indicator of how much we’ve progressed.
Novica:
Completing a large automotive project, where my team and I delivered approximately 800 km of HAD maps over a ten-month period, based on a completely new specification. It was only after completion, during the retrospective, when we looked back at where we started and how far we had come, that we truly felt proud of our collective achievement.
That’s when I realized that, technically speaking, there is almost nothing that truly scares me or feels unsolvable — as long as you have the right people by your side.
Which moment with your colleagues — a trip, celebration, or team gathering — will you remember forever?
Bane:
Our first team-building event — a rafting trip shortly after I joined the company — is unforgettable. It was the perfect mix of adrenaline, teamwork, and getting to know colleagues outside the office.
Our first team-building event — a rafting trip shortly after I joined the company — is unforgettable. It was the perfect mix of adrenaline, teamwork, and getting to know colleagues outside the office.
Novica:
Trimble Dimensions in Las Vegas stands out the most. Traveling to the U.S. and attending one of the most important events in our industry, along with hearing insights from global experts, was an unforgettable experience.
Trimble Dimensions in Las Vegas stands out the most. Traveling to the U.S. and attending one of the most important events in our industry, along with hearing insights from global experts, was an unforgettable experience.
A special highlight was the keynote by Mark Gallagher, a long-time Formula 1 manager. For a Formula 1 fan, being just a few meters away and hearing his insights firsthand was truly extraordinary.
Which technological change in the mobile mapping industry would you highlight as the most important, and do you think manual processing will ever completely disappear?
Bane:
The growing use of artificial intelligence and AI-based object recognition has had the biggest impact, enabling faster and more accurate data processing. Still, manual processing will always be necessary in complex or unclear situations.
The growing use of artificial intelligence and AI-based object recognition has had the biggest impact, enabling faster and more accurate data processing. Still, manual processing will always be necessary in complex or unclear situations.
Novica:
The adoption of AI and advanced algorithms has significantly improved automation and efficiency. While many routine tasks can be automated, human expertise and decision-making remain essential, with AI serving as a powerful tool rather than a replacement for people.
The adoption of AI and advanced algorithms has significantly improved automation and efficiency. While many routine tasks can be automated, human expertise and decision-making remain essential, with AI serving as a powerful tool rather than a replacement for people.
Is there a tool you wish existed, but hasn’t been developed yet?
Bane:
Rather than entirely new tools, the focus should be on improving existing solutions and increasing their level of automation.
Rather than entirely new tools, the focus should be on improving existing solutions and increasing their level of automation.
Novica:
It’s difficult to point to a single tool, as needs vary by project. What matters most is that technology continues to evolve, making work less routine and more focused on creative problem-solving, which is, after all, the true essence of engineering work.
It’s difficult to point to a single tool, as needs vary by project. What matters most is that technology continues to evolve, making work less routine and more focused on creative problem-solving, which is, after all, the true essence of engineering work.
Five years of shared projects, challenges, and achievements have shaped Bane and Novica not only as professionals, but as leaders and teammates. Their journey shows how trust, collaboration, and continuous learning create a strong foundation for long-term growth
As they continue to develop and lead complex mobile mapping projects, their story reflects the values that drive DataDEV forward — teamwork, innovation, and people at the core of every solution.