Software Makes the World Go Round: Balancing Quality, Speed, and Regulation
In a world where software shapes industries, societies, and everyday experiences, delivering digital solutions that are fast, high-quality, and compliant is no longer a competitive edge—it's a necessity. This keynote explores how these three forces—quality, speed, and regulation—must be intentionally balanced to build sustainable, trusted, and forward-looking software systems.
Far beyond theoretical models, software quality is dissected through the lens of globally accepted frameworks such as ISO/IEC 25010, SPICE, and CMMI. Qualities like functionality, maintainability, security, and usability are positioned not as “nice to haves,” but as foundational attributes of modern, scalable software. The keynote challenges the audience to rethink quality: not as an afterthought, but as a strategic capability that unlocks long-term agility and resilience—even under high delivery pressure.
One of the defining shifts in the software landscape—Artificial Intelligence—is addressed head-on. While AI holds transformative potential for speeding up development through automation, smart diagnostics, and predictive analysis, it also introduces serious risks: bias, opacity, and new attack surfaces. The keynote makes the case for human-in-the-loop systems and disciplined requirements engineering as the critical safeguards when integrating AI into development workflows.
Regulatory landscapes such as GDPR, DORA, NIS2, the EU Cyber Resilience Act, and the EU AI Act are not portrayed as barriers, but as catalysts for building better, more responsible software. Compliance is reframed as a value driver, aligning ethics, security, and trust with business objectives.
As a keynote, this talk sets the stage not only for dialogue, but for action. Attendees gain a strategic lens on emerging challenges, and also take away practical guidance for their daily work, including:
- Build on clarity: Well-defined requirements are the bedrock of quality.
- Avoid speed traps: Fast is good—but not at the cost of tested, reliable software.
- Use AI wisely: Automate smartly, but never blindly.
- Embrace regulation: It can guide—not hinder—innovation and trust.
The keynote concludes with a clear call to the community: It is only through cross-functional collaboration—between developers, leaders, and regulators—that we can ensure software continues to move the world forward—securely, ethically, and with purpose.
Biography
Detlev Henze, now an independent managing consultant, was Executive Vice President of the strategic Business area Digital Services at TÜV AUSTRIA and CEO of TÜV TRUST IT of TÜV AUSTRIA group, an international testing and consulting service provider with a focus on information security and IT- / cyber security. Next to building the Cyber Security organization with more than 250 experts, he organized an managed the re-structuring of TÜV AUSTRA, resulting in growing the company, tripling the revenues and quadrupling the profits. Mr. Henze has more than 40 years of experience in the IT industry. There he held leading positions with well-known companies such as Amdahl Corporation, Software AG and the TÜV Rheinland Group. Next to his management experiences, Mr. Henze started his career as a software developer and manager of corporate software project in the Insurance and Industry areas.