I help you explore public-sector IT, digital transformation and leadership. As a former municipal executive and project lead, I bring first-hand experience of the decisions involved. I draw on that experience in expert calls, talks, leadership advisory sessions and workshops.
An expert perspective for your research, a talk for your audience, a leadership question of your own or a result your team needs to achieve: choose the service that fits your situation.
How do public-sector organisations choose software and digital solutions? I help you explore requirements, selection and implementation as part of your research.
For: Consultancies, businesses, researchers and expert networks
Usually 45–60 minutes · remote
Digital government, leadership and AI explained clearly, with examples from my own project work and teaching. Content is adapted to your event and audience.
For: Conferences, universities and public-sector organisations
Short talk, presentation or teaching session · English or German
A difficult decision or an important conversation is approaching. We work through your situation, assess your options and prepare your next step.
For: Department heads, division heads, team leaders and project leads
90 minutes · remote or in Bremen
Your team needs a clear brief, shared priorities or agreed responsibilities. In the workshop, we work towards a practical result and set out the next steps.
For: Leadership teams, departments, project groups and staff development teams
Half or full day · online or in person
A clear proposal from the outset. We agree the topic, audience, scope and fee in advance. If you are unsure which service fits, we can discuss it in a free introductory call.
As a member of Lüneburg’s municipal executive, I was responsible for education, youth services, social services, culture and sport, with around 850 staff across the directorate. In Bremen, I led the ELFE project and subsequently headed the programme office for family and children’s services under Germany’s Online Access Act (OZG).
Earlier roles included heading IT at the Statistical Office of Bremen and working in the state administration of North Rhine-Westphalia. Today I work as a digital transformation consultant at Dataport, alongside the services presented here. My perspective connects technology with organisational choices and responsibility for people.
Project leadership · Bremen
I led ELFE, a project to simplify access to benefits for parents around the birth of a child. It required user needs, data protection and cooperation between public authorities to work together.
Talk about the project (German)Establishing and leading a programme office
I established and led Bremen’s programme office for this service area. Clear responsibilities, coordination between ministries and federal states, and oversight of several implementation projects were central to the role.
Programme overview (German PDF)My own AI prototype
With Kommunalix, I am testing AI-assisted drafts of motions, speeches and statements based on existing documents. The prototype provides a practical starting point for exploring useful applications and their limits in everyday work.
My project post on LinkedIn (German)Together with Dirk Caliebe and Carola Heilemann-Jeschke, I presented lessons from ELFE: how can family benefits be designed around parents’ needs, and what does this require of law, technology and organisation?
Talk and recording (German)A joint presentation with Dr Brigitte Klamroth on ELFE and Hamburg’s service to simplify child benefit applications. We showed how the approaches from Bremen and Hamburg could be brought together in a digital service for use across federal states.
Conference programme (German PDF)In the session on ELFE, parent apps and related services, I shared experience from ELFE and discussed how digital services can make it easier for families to access support. A particular focus was the different needs of families.
Session and slides (German)My article on ELFE appeared in Archiv für Wissenschaft und Praxis der sozialen Arbeit, vol. 52, issue 4/2021, pp. 50–57.
Making complex subjects understandable is part of my work. In university teaching and continuing education, I connect technical and organisational principles with examples from public administration.
Continuing education lecturer
Digital Transformation in Public Administration
Why digital change projects succeed or fail: lessons from practice
Now Constructor University
Teaching contributions in English
Current Topics and Applications in Data Science
Lecturer
Information Management
Lecturer · BSc programme in Business Information Systems
Information Security & Data Protection
“He represented the city exceptionally well, even in contentious situations.”Read the press release (German)
Tell me what you want to address, who is involved and which dates you have in mind. A brief outline is enough for an initial enquiry; you do not need a fully developed plan.
An expert call supports research and helps you assess a subject. A talk shares knowledge with an audience. In leadership advisory we work through your own decision or leadership situation. A workshop helps a team work towards a result together.
A topic, audience and preferred dates are enough for an initial enquiry. We then discuss scope, preparation and delivery. You receive a written proposal or an agreed fee arrangement before work begins.
Yes. We adapt the topics, level of detail, timing and intended outcome to your group. You can also bring a question or project from your own organisation.
Yes. We agree the brief and scope with the commissioning organisation. Your personal discussions remain confidential and are not shared with managers or HR.
Yes. Expert calls and leadership advisory sessions can take place remotely. Talks and workshops are available online or in person. I am based in Bremen; any travel arrangements are agreed in advance.
A few sentences about your needs are enough to get started. If you know which service fits, you can enquire directly. Otherwise, we can discuss the options in a free introductory call.
Based in Bremen · Remote expert calls and leadership advisory · Online or in-person talks and workshops by arrangement.
Send me an enquiry by email.
30 minutes · free · no obligation · to discuss your needs
Book an introductory callFlorian Forster · Reddersenstr. 56 · 28359 Bremen · Germany
Email: forster.florian@googlemail.com
Phone: +49 162 7949698
The leadership advisory and coaching services offered are provided on a freelance basis. They are not psychotherapeutic or medical services.
No VAT is charged pursuant to section 19 of the German VAT Act (UStG).
Florian Forster, Reddersenstr. 56, 28359 Bremen, Germany · forster.florian@googlemail.com
When you visit this website, the hosting provider may process technical access data needed to operate it. This may include your IP address, the date and time, content requested, volume of data transferred, and browser and operating system information. This processing supports the secure and stable provision of the website.
Information you provide by email or phone is used to handle your enquiry. It is shared only where necessary for technical communication or required by law.
Appointment booking is available through an external link to cal.eu. Clicking the link takes you away from this website. Information you enter there is processed as part of that provider’s service.
You may request access to, rectification or erasure of your personal data by emailing the address above. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with Bremen’s State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
Photo: City of Lüneburg.
Published in LüWoBau magazine, issue 62/2023, page 15 (German PDF)
