Bayer Synapse platform

Context

Synapse is a customised web and mobile platform developed on behalf of Bayer Brasil to digitalise the complete research lifecycle for genetically modified seeds. The project was delivered by Maxxidata in close collaboration with Bayer Brasil and covered all phases of the product research process: from capturing and prioritising research ideas to protocol registration, seed ordering, sample management, laboratory analysis, field deployment and final results documentation. Development followed an agile methodology with two-week sprints over approximately one year, with a planned development scope of around 13,000 hours.

Initial situation

Bayer Brasil's seed development research department was using fragmented, manual or decentralised processes to manage its research projects, from protocol design and sample management to results capture. Digitalising this end-to-end process within a single unified platform was strategically necessary to ensure research efficiency, traceability and data quality in a highly regulated and scientifically demanding environment. The particular challenge lay in the complexity of the domain knowledge involved: genetically modified seed research requires precise requirements engineering at the intersection of agronomy, laboratory science and software development.

My role

As Product Manager at Maxxidata, I was responsible for the product vision, requirements management and team coordination across all project phases. I worked directly with the Bayer Brasil team, translated domain-specific requirements into technical specifications and coordinated a multidisciplinary team consisting of a UX lead, tech lead, QA lead and several developers. I was responsible for product backlog prioritisation, sprint planning and reviews, and for ensuring product quality and functional correctness.

Approach

The project followed an agile methodology with two-week sprints, regular sprint planning sessions and reviews with all relevant stakeholders. Development was structured into four chronological phases: discovery and technical structuring, core modules for planning and execution without mobile functionality, extension with mobile functionality, and final modules for field deployment, packing centre and project closure. The platform comprised five core modules: protocol registration, seed ordering, sample management, analysis portal and field module. Technical and functional risks were proactively identified, documented and addressed with the client.

Outcome

The project successfully delivered a complete web and mobile platform for digitalising Bayer Brasil's seed research process. The platform enabled end-to-end digital steering of the entire research lifecycle, from idea capture to final results documentation. It serves as a strong reference for the delivery of complex, domain-specific software solutions at the intersection of agricultural science, laboratory research and digital transformation.