In a journey of collaboration and learning, professionals from different areas developed applications in just a few hours, even without prior experience using the tool.

Creating an application for Porto Sudeste’s booth at Rio Oil & Gas (ROGe) in just a few hours was the challenge proposed to the company’s “Digital Talent” group. Working in teams, employees recognized for their use of artificial intelligence and other technologies took part in an intensive journey of collaboration, learning, and innovation.

The activity was conducted in a hackathon format, an innovation marathon in which teams work collaboratively over a set period to develop solutions for a specific challenge. The goal is to bring together different areas of expertise to transform ideas into prototypes, products, or practical solutions.

During Porto Sudeste’s hackathon, rather than pursuing a fully formed idea from the outset, the teams adopted an experimental approach. Features, visual elements, and navigation possibilities were tested and refined throughout the process. Discussions ranged from the app’s structure to the definition of its visual identity and the use of bold colors.

“We kept testing things, and some ideas simply didn’t work. So we adjusted our approach throughout the development process and adapted to what could realistically be achieved within that single day of work,” said Tais Campelo, from the Maintenance Planning area.

Diverse Teams Building Better Solutions

The teams were intentionally composed of professionals with different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. The objective was to avoid concentrating expertise from a single area and to encourage truly collaborative work. This diversity was reflected in each participant’s contributions. While some team members were more familiar with technical processes, others brought knowledge related to environmental management, communications, systems design, and information organization.

“The variety of backgrounds helped the teams evaluate the challenge from different angles. Each member took on responsibilities according to their skills, but everyone needed to contribute to the collective development of the solution,” said Lídia Amorim, Innovation and Digital Transformation Coordinator, the area responsible for organizing the hackathon.

At the end of the marathon, the teams presented their proposals to a judging panel and demonstrated how their applications could make the visitor experience at the company’s ROGe booth more interactive. The winning solution is already under development and will be used to showcase Porto Sudeste’s history, operations, and projects, while also connecting visitors with the company’s business opportunities.

More Than a Marathon: Strengthening Connections

The impact of the hackathon went beyond the solutions presented. Working together on a shared challenge created opportunities for exchanging experiences and building new professional relationships. This aspect became especially meaningful following the period of widespread remote work adoption.

“Working from home separated people. Events like this give us the opportunity to reconnect, meet new colleagues, and build relationships,” said Flávia Silveira, from the Liquid Bulk Operations team.