OutSystems reviews

OutSystems is an incredibly dysfunctional organization. They have some fantastic people here, but their leadership is really lacking, immature, and unprofessional. A few examples: - One leader who would talk negatively about me to my boss. Trying to address their concerns resulted in them shutting down and not communicating. - One non engineering leader who disagreed with the team’s shared vision and kept trying to get involved in how engineering works. They would alter the instructions of tickets to try and further their own personal vision for the project. - One leader who repeatedly refused to learn about a new topic that would significantly enhance the quality of the company’s products despite multiple engineers, designers, and product people advocating for it. People here spend so much time in meetings that hardly any work gets done. Even when things do get worked on, the work is sloppy and incomplete because teams are not given the resources/time to do things the right way. Instead, the work is always rushed. Work/life balance is ok, but the time zone difference between the US and Portugal can be really challenging (this isn’t anyone’s fault, just the reality of working at an international organization). OutSystems touts that they have a culture of asking “Why?”. In reality, leadership gets upset when you do that and try to challenge the status quo. On the plus side, due to this dysfunction you can fly under the radar here with minimal effort and receive a great compensation. However, if you are someone who wants to further your career, get experience, and challenge yourself, OutSystems is the wrong place to be.

The last year at the company spells trouble ahead. Although the business results were OK, culture quickly transforming into a toxic rubbish pit. Arrogance, incompetence, nepotism... The CEO is conspicuously absent from the frontlines, only concerned with the internal workings. He seems to harbour the belief that everyone around him is stupid and often vocalizes this in public. His desired to surround himself with sycophants is well known. The rate of executive turnover is very high, and the management team in general feels jaded and disconnected. The most recent interesting development is the assembly of a merry men "Business Operations" function - ex-McKinsey personnel. They gallivant around different departments, attempting to proffer advice in the manner of the typical consultant... little substance, abundant hubris, and comical in their attempts to instruct others on how to perform their duties. They are viewed as the running joke within the company and seem to be blissfully oblivious to this fact. Following the "Business Operations Optimization Process", Marketing underwent layoffs and now it appears that all others departments will be similarly affected.