Datahouse Diaries: Luís Oliveira

In this edition of Datahouse Diaries, we meet Luís, a seasoned team leader who has navigated a remarkable career shift from the structured world of banking to the dynamic environment of software development.

As he leads a team working on a decade-old product, Luís balances the challenges of maintaining a legacy system with the drive to innovate and evolve.

Beyond his technical expertise, he fosters a collaborative team culture, applies lessons from his passion for running to leadership, and finds inspiration in the small details—whether it’s football rivalries or his ever-growing collection of coasters. 

From Banking to Software: A Culture Shift in Sneakers

After 13 years in banking, Luís made the leap to the tech world, joining Datahouse in November 2022. The transition was more than just a career change—it was a complete shift in work culture.

In banking, IT was often seen as a cost center rather than a driver of innovation. Processes were rigid, and decision-making was slow. At Datahouse, the mindset is different—technology is at the core of solving problems, not just supporting them.

“Being part of a software house where everyone talks the same language was also strange for me. Normally, IT is seen as the cause of all problems and sometimes an expense. Here, we are part of the solution, and for sure, it is rewarding to see how the value created is helping the company.”

Now, Luís enjoys the agility, collaboration, and direct impact of his work—plus, trading suits for sneakers isn’t a bad deal either.

Leading a Legacy Product While Keeping It Fresh

Working on Wüest Dimensions, the leading Real Estate Management Platform with a decade-old code base, presents unique challenges, but for Luís, it’s also an opportunity for continuous growth and innovation.

“The Wüest Dimensions codebase is vast and complex, but that’s what keeps it exciting. There’s always something new to learn and integrate, and finding ways to bring value to the client makes every task feel fresh.”

His approach to working with a long-standing product is rooted in curiosity and adaptability. Rather than seeing its age as a limitation, he embraces it as a challenge—one that pushes the team to refine, optimize, and evolve the platform while maintaining its stability and reliability.

“Even in a mature product, there’s always room for improvement. Whether it’s implementing modern technologies, optimizing performance, or streamlining workflows, the goal is to make each iteration better than the last.”

For Luís, keeping Wüest Dimensions on top isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. He fosters a collaborative environment where knowledge-sharing and cross-team communication are key.

“If we understand what our colleagues are working on, we can communicate better, share ideas more effectively, and solve problems creatively.”

For Luís, leading a team on a complex product is like playing chess—it’s about identifying strengths, anticipating challenges, and positioning people where they can thrive. By prioritizing knowledge sharing and cross-team collaboration, he ensures that Wüest Dimensions remains not just functional, but forward-thinking.

A New Role, A New Perspective: Leading Beyond Code

Transitioning from an expert developer to a team leader required more than just technical expertise—it demanded a shift in mindset. Now, his success isn’t measured by his individual output, but by how well he enables his team to grow and thrive.

“In my previous role, my primary focus was on delivering high-quality code, optimizing performance, and solving complex technical challenges. Now, my perspective has expanded—I’m not just responsible for my work but for the growth, motivation, and success of the team.”

Rather than tackling problems alone, Luís prioritizes enabling his team to take ownership, develop their strengths, and push their own boundaries.

“It’s not just about my own technical contributions anymore. I have to think about how to create an environment where my team can grow, take ownership, and feel valued. That means understanding each person’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, and helping them find opportunities to develop.”

Balancing Innovation with Stability

With Wüest Dimensions, balance is crucial—too much change at once can create instability, while stagnation can lead to obsolescence.

“One of the most interesting challenges of this role is balancing the need for innovation with the stability of a long-standing product. The key is to introduce gradual, meaningful improvements rather than overwhelming the team with unnecessary changes.”

His leadership approach is about strategic decision-making—understanding when to push for change and when to maintain reliability. By ensuring that improvements align with the existing structure, he keeps Wüest Dimensions robust, efficient, and future-ready.

Lessons from Running: Discipline, Endurance, and Teamwork

Beyond work, Luís’ love for running influences his leadership style. Discipline, endurance, and resilience—qualities he hones on long runs—are the same principles he applies to leading his team.

“When you’re running, you’re constantly pushing through discomfort, setting goals, and staying mentally strong. Leadership is no different. You have to stay focused, pace yourself, and sometimes push beyond what you thought was possible.”

Like running, leadership is both an individual and team effort—some people thrive on competition, others need encouragement, and some just need the right challenge to push themselves forward.

The Most Rewarding Part? Seeing the Team Thrive

Ultimately, the biggest reward has been watching the team grow, solve challenges together, and push each other forward.

“When I see a team member take initiative, come up with a creative solution, or support a colleague, that’s when I know I’m doing my job right. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating an environment where the team can find the answers together.”

Navigating Office Football Rivalries

A passionate Benfica fan, he finds himself in the minority at the office:

“It’s an unusual office—Benfica is the biggest football club in Portugal, but not here! I used to be the one teasing others, and now I’m on the receiving end. Luckily, I don’t get too moody after a loss, so it’s all in good fun.”

The Coaster Collector: A Story in Every Sip

Luís’ love for collecting coasters started with a spontaneous moment in Thailand:

Solving High-Stakes Challenges

One of Luís’ most intense career moments involved a high-pressure crisis: rebuilding two days’ worth of financial transactions overnight.

“When you have small teams and big money involved, everything is for ‘yesterday.’ We had to reconstruct an entire transaction workflow from system logs, ensuring every user action and automated process was accounted for. The goal was to replicate everything seamlessly to prevent any disruption to clients.”

The challenge wasn’t just technical—it was strategic. With tight deadlines and high stakes, every move had to be calculated and precise. Understanding the database architecture, transaction flow, and system dependencies was critical to ensuring data integrity.

“It was a six-eyes job, meaning multiple people were reviewing every step to avoid errors. The biggest challenge was not just restoring the data but making sure all new entries were correct and all outdated ones were updated without conflicts.”

The result? A seamless overnight rebuild, minimal client impact, and a lesson in how expertise, teamwork, and composure under pressure can make all the difference.

Improving Portugal’s Tech Ecosystem

He believes Portugal’s biggest tech challenge is outdated thinking:

“Too many companies still see IT as a cost rather than an asset. A strong IT team can drive revenue, but only if properly supported and integrated into business strategy.”

The Next Five Years: Growing Together

Looking ahead, his vision for the team is clear:

“I hope we can look back and laugh at how ‘green’ we were when we took on this monster of a project. I want us to grow in expertise, onboard new team members with confidence, and take pride in how Dimensions evolves.”

Growth isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people behind it.

Outside the Office: Food, Games, and Good Company

When it’s time to recharge, food is the top priority:

“I always say I run just so I can eat more! I also love video games—though I’m an expert at buying them and never finishing them. Playing Overcooked and It Takes Two with my Player Two has led to a few nights on the couch, but it’s all part of the fun.”

At the end of the day, it’s family, friends, and good food that bring balance.

Final Thoughts

From banking to leading a high-impact team, this journey highlights the power of adaptability, teamwork, and passion. Whether it’s running, collecting coasters, or leading software projects, the philosophy remains the same—set a goal, work towards it, and bring others along for the ride.

Ready to join us? Explore our opportunities and become part of a team that values growth, culture, and community.