On August 4th, BAEKEN celebrates its 2nd anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, founders Wilco, Wesley, and Pieter reflect on the journey from a bold idea to a team of 28 people. In this article, Pieter shares his personal highlights and insights.
“When we founded BAEKEN, I had one clear dream: to become the most qualitative service provider in project controls in the region. I was convinced that – especially in the Netherlands – there was room for a company that not only meets expectations, but consistently excels.
So far, focusing on quality at every level—whether it’s the expertise we bring, the coaching we provide to junior colleagues, or the way we ensure our clients receive the best possible solutions—has truly paid off.
What sets us apart is our proactive approach to new technologies. If we discover a tool that can help our clients move forward – such as Oracle Primavera Cloud – we invest the time and energy to truly understand it and train our team in it. From the outside, it may seem like our main focus is to grow the business quickly, but internally we remain firmly rooted in quality. In 2024, we even decided to pause recruitment for nine months so we could evolve from a start-up mentality into a mature, well-oiled organization. Looking back, that was one of the best decisions we’ve made.
But BAEKEN is about more than delivering outstanding project work. We also want to make a positive impact on society. That’s why we deliberately choose clients and projects that do good, that give our people a sense of pride and accomplishment, and that contribute to solving real challenges.
Our management team plays a central role in who we are. We differ in background, style, and perspective, which sometimes leads to spirited discussions. This makes collaboration challenging at times: it requires patience, listening, and the willingness to let go of your own ideas. Yet it is precisely this diversity that drives us forward. By questioning and challenging each other, we make better decisions, find more creative solutions, and stay sharp – and that is what truly underpins our success. It ensures that BAEKEN is not defined by any one individual, but built on a solid foundation powered by many perspectives.
Looking ahead, one thing is certain: no matter how far we go, we will remain true to our core values – social, thorough, analytical, and forward-thinking. In everything we do, we strive for quality. Whether it’s guiding young professionals, delivering top-level work for clients, or helping to raise the quality standards within our clients’ organizations, we never settle for “good enough.” We do it right – and we do it efficiently.”
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Op 4 augustus bestaat BAEKEN 2 jaar. Om dit jubileum te vieren blikken Wilco, Wesley en Pieter als founders terug op de groei van BAEKEN. Van de start tot een team van 28 mensen. In dit artikel vertelt Wilco over zijn hoogtepunten en inzichten.
“Twee jaar geleden begonnen we met een helder idee. We wilden de beste consultancy in projectbeheersing bouwen: inhoudelijk sterk, menselijk gedreven en met een cultuur waar je bij wilt horen. Geen dertien-in-een-dozijn adviesbureau, maar een club waar professionals zich ontwikkelen tot topklasse consultants, en zich thuis voelen. Die visie is nog steeds leidend. Maar wat me vooral raakt, is hoe BAEKEN inmiddels gevormd wordt door de mensen zelf.
Onze startende consultants verrassen me keer op keer. In korte tijd groeien ze van ‘net afgestudeerd’ naar volwaardige professionals. Ze staan met zelfvertrouwen bij de klant, brengen indepth vakkennis en hebben een ambitie waar je u tegen zegt. Tegelijkertijd nemen ze op kantoor de ruimte om zichzelf te zijn. Ze dansen door het pand, organiseren borrels, sporten samen, delen ervaringen en maken uitdagingen bespreekbaar. Ze schromen ook niet om het management te challengen op keuzes of koers. Dat is precies wat ik voor ogen had: een serieuze werkomgeving waar ook ruimte is voor lol, autonomie en oprechte verbinding.
Wat onze cultuur uniek maakt, is dat die niet van bovenaf is bedacht. Vrijdagmiddag-thought moments, donutrondjes, buddy-systemen, onze eigen arbeidsvoorwaarden: bijna alles komt uit de pen van onze consultants. Elke nieuwe lichting draagt iets bij aan het collectief. Daardoor is BAEKEN een dynamische, organische organisatie geworden, waar de behoeften van onze mensen het vertrekpunt zijn. Niet om het iedereen naar de zin te maken, maar omdat we geloven dat je het beste werk levert als je jezelf kunt zijn, kunt groeien, en eigenaarschap voelt over het geheel.
Vanaf dag één meten we hoe we het doen als werkgever. Niet om vinkjes te halen, maar om scherp te blijven. Dat heeft ons tot nu toe bij elke meting een ‘Beste Werkgever’ erkenning van Effectory opgeleverd. Maar dat betekent niet dat er niets te verbeteren valt. Zo kwam recent naar voren dat er meer behoefte is aan duidelijkheid over hoe we dingen doen: processen, afspraken, rollen. We hebben dat serieus opgepakt: er is nu iemand verantwoordelijk voor het verkennen, challengen en vastleggen van onze processen. Niet om te stroomlijnen of rigiditeit te introduceren, maar als startpunt voor het gesprek. Hoe werken we eigenlijk samen? Waarom doen we dingen op deze manier? Onze nieuwe arbeidsvoorwaarden zijn daar een goed voorbeeld van.
Wat me misschien wel het meest trots maakt, is dat onze consultants niet alleen denken in hun eigen ontwikkeling, maar ook verantwoordelijkheid nemen voor het grotere geheel. Ze sturen op ‘best for project’, denken mee over een gezonde bedrijfsvoering en bouwen actief mee aan de koers van BAEKEN. Niet omdat wij dat vragen, maar omdat het hun club is. We bouwen dit samen.
En dat is misschien wel de grootste les van de afgelopen twee jaar: als je goede mensen vertrouwt, geef je ruimte aan iets dat groter wordt dan jezelf maar waarin iedereen zichzelf kan blijven.
We zijn pas net begonnen.”
Laten we jouw project samen naar het volgende niveau tillen!
On August 4th, BAEKEN celebrates its 2nd anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, founders Wilco, Wesley, and Pieter reflect on the journey from a bold idea to a team of 28 people. In this article, Wesley shares his personal highlights and insights.
“When I started BAEKEN two years ago, I had one belief: if you give ambitious people trust and space, the organisation will grow naturally. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about talent development, coaching, and building a traineeship that truly works.
My expectation was simple: we would invest heavily in training during the first months, and things would settle after that. But reality showed the opposite. The more we offered at the start, the stronger the hunger to learn became. The learning curve didn’t flatten, it got even steeper. And that demands something from us as an organisation too: we have to make sure there’s always something new to learn. Fortunately, ambition runs deep at BAEKEN. Everyone pushes themselves and each other forward.
For clients, working with a junior can feel like a risk. Our approach: strategically pairing our young consultants with senior experts. Most of the work is done by our juniors, but at key moments, seniors step in for coaching, review, and alignment. The result? Senior-level quality, delivered by a young and eager team. And that works.
We also take responsibility for that learning curve: we intentionally say no to projects that don’t fit our people’s development path. Sometimes, clients need a bit of convincing: they’re used to stability and want someone who’s “been doing it for years.” But by growing alongside our team, they discover the value of fresh knowledge and rapid development. It’s a win-win situation.
Our people are technically strong and pick up the software in no time. So, the major focus of our training is on the real-world challenges: dealing with stakeholders, communicating on-site, persuading with dashboards and whiteboards. Project controls isn’t a desk job; it’s about switching gears, connecting people, and making impact. And we guide our trainees through that, step by step.
We’re now a team of thirty. The first group of consultants is now training the newest members of the team. What started as an internal learning track has evolved into a flywheel of knowledge-sharing and innovation. Everyone contributes, everyone trains, and the program keeps getting better.
Clients now ask if we can train their people this way – and I can’t think of a better compliment.
Stay curious. Take on every opportunity to learn. And give back to the team. When everyone does that, we grow faster than ever and build the future of our field, together.
The traineeship is our foundation. The growth, the energy, and the results prove every day why it works. And this is only the beginning.”
Let's take your project to the next level together!
We warmly invite you to stop by our booth 5.503 in hall 5. Get inspired by our solutions for project management.
InfraTech2025 is the leading event which focuses on the future of infrastructure.From 14 to 17 January, Rotterdam Ahoy will be transformed into the meeting place for experts, companies, governments and knowledge institutions. InfraTech offers a platform for innovation, collaboration and inspiration. The fair focuses on themes such as digitization, sustainability, renovation, and climate adaptation, and is known as the place to share knowledge and discover the latest solutions.
What to expect?
The sector is not static and there is much to discover. InfraTech promises to be not just a traditional trade show, but a dynamic platform where innovation and collaboration are central. This is where professionals come together to design and realize the future of infrastructure. This year BAEKEN is also contributing as an exhibitor and professionals in the field of project controls, among other things.
With hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of professionals, InfraTech is the place to connect with policymakers, project developers, contractors, and other stakeholders. The event offers ample opportunity to build valuable relationships and start collaborations that will contribute to the challenges of tomorrow. In addition, this is the opportunity to discover and discuss the latest technologies and methods under one roof with the professionals present.
The knowledge program also offers interactive sessions, inspiring lectures and lively debates. In this way, practical insights and solutions from experts can be made directly insightful for your projects. Also from BAEKEN, we bring a powerful lecture to promote effective collaboration in the industry.
Our goal is to show how we address complex challenges with smart and insightful control solutions. Visit our booth, discover our innovations and be inspired by an engaging presentation by our own Wesley van der Burg.
Practical information
The InfraTech exhibition will take place in Rotterdam Ahoy. Easily accessible via public transport and by car. Admission to the fair is completely free and registration is possible via this link. Meet BAEKEN and contribute to the dialogue at our stand in Hall 5, at stand number p5.503.
Our lecture is entitled “Realistic Reporting with Probabilistic Baselines” and focuses on the application of probabilistic planning in practice. It will take place on Jan. 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the Knowledge Theater.
Find out how our smart project management reduces failure costs and strengthens collaboration.
Let us know when you stop by the booth!
The end of the year is a time for many of us to look back at what we have accomplished and look ahead to what 2025 will bring us. At BAEKEN, we take a moment between Christmas and New Year’s to recharge, get new ideas and get back to work with fresh energy. From January 2, we are ready again: new opportunities, fresh ideas and your projects as our focus!
Do you want to start 2025 off strong? Let’s see together how we can turn your plans into concrete successes! Whether it’s a new challenge or the optimization of existing projects, we will be happy to help you take the right steps.
Send us a message and together we will make 2025 your year of success!
Happy holidays and an inspiring new year! 🎄✨
Let's take your project to the next level together!
From 13 to 15 May 2024, the time has come: BAEKEN will participate in the World Hydrogen Summit in Ahoy, Rotterdam. This participation is not a coincidence but a strategic choice in line with our core values and commitment to sustainability and innovation. In this blog, we explore why our presence at the summit is so crucial and how it aligns with our mission to shape the energy transition.
BAEKEN is known for pioneering Project Control within the renewable energy, infrastructure, area development, and high-tech sectors. Our goal is to support innovative projects that contribute to a more sustainable world. The World Hydrogen Summit provides a unique platform to share our vision, exchange knowledge, and establish new partnerships.
Our commitment to energy transition is evidenced by the projects we contribute to together with leading organizations such as Gasunie, IV-group, and TenneT. These are where we have contributed to expanding the Dutch energy grid and facilitating green energy.
Our work with GasUnie in the Offshore Hydrogen Program and our efforts to optimize the energy grid together with Liander demonstrate our commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral future. These projects illustrate our shared commitment to sustainability and highlight the versatility of our expertise.
The World Hydrogen Summit is more than just an event; it is a milestone in our journey toward a sustainable future. We are proud to play a role in delivering projects that have a direct impact on the energy transition. Our participation highlights our commitment to advancing hydrogen as a key element in the future energy mix.
Looking ahead, we see a world where renewable energy is the norm. A world in which BAEKEN, together with its partners, plays a meaningful role in shaping this future. The World Hydrogen Summit is an opportunity for us to share this vision, learn from others, and work together to create a more sustainable world.
We look forward to the exciting conversations, new insights, and inspiring collaborations that this summit will undoubtedly produce. Together we are building a greener future, To Build On Hydrogen.
We are delighted to announce that BAEKEN has been recognized as a “World-class Workplace 2023-2024”! This prestigious label, awarded by Effectory, rewards employer excellence and underscores our commitment to fostering employee engagement.
At BAEKEN, we are all about excellence! Whether we are busy taking Project Controls to the next level or shaping our vibrant organizational culture, we go all out.
Performance at the top level? Well, that sounds like professional athleticism! It requires talent, effort, and commitment, but also balance, reflection, and measurement. This is precisely why we work with Effectory, a reliable partner within our organization that acts as a thermometer. Each of us can let Effectory know how we are doing, what is going well and, above all, where we can still grow and improve. Of course, we all know, valued employees lead to a better working atmosphere and better performance.
Our first survey? That one was impressive! With 80% promoters within the organization, we have a reason to be proud. But, as always at BAEKEN, we see this as a challenge. We strive to maintain this level and continue to grow as we are thriving as an organization!
We look forward to continuing our journey, building on this recognition and continuing our commitment to the well-being and engagement of our employees. Together, we make BAEKEN world-class!
