Further developing modern controlling in the municipal environment

Infrastruktur- und Projektgesellschaft mbH (IPGL) Bergisch Gladbach has been an ICV corporate member since the beginning of the year. We spoke to IPGL Managing Director Dr. Sebastian Michalsky about this.

Dr. Michalsky, thank you very much for your time. Please introduce yourself briefly. What is your personal connection with the ICV?

S.Michalsky:
I would like to thank you and look forward to the interview. I have been Managing Director of Infrastruktur- und Projektgesellschaft Bergisch Gladbach mbH since April 2025. Before that, I worked for almost ten years at Deutsche Bahn in the infrastructure sector in various positions – including as Deputy Head of Finance/Controlling and later as Technical Director for the entire construction management of passenger stations in NRW. Before that, I worked for a large construction company for around five years. During my studies, I was also a semi-professional soccer player and was thus able to finance my studies.

During my time at Deutsche Bahn, I did my doctorate as an external doctoral student at the University of Bremen in the field of Green Controlling. This was made possible in particular by my boss at the time, Dr. Raulin – without her, I would not have been able to start my doctorate.

My doctoral research also led to a connection with the ICV. Even then, it became clear to me that the ICV plays a leading role in green controlling – and continues to do so today.

What were the main motives for becoming an ICV company member?

S.Michalsky:
I wanted to position our company at the cutting edge. I find it extremely exciting that the ICV not only brings together the brightest minds in the field of controlling, but that science and practice can continuously learn from each other.

In addition, municipal companies have so far been poorly represented in the ICV. As IPGL, we would like to play a pioneering role here and contribute to the establishment and further development of modern, effective controlling not only in large companies or SMEs, but also in the municipal environment.

What expectations do you associate with company membership of the ICV?

S. Michalsky:
For me, the focus is on sharing knowledge, because knowledge is one of the most valuable assets for companies.

If you look at the most valuable companies of the past decades, they used to be organizations with high fixed assets. Today, they are companies whose strength lies in knowledge and expertise – both within and outside their industries.

I therefore expect us to actively contribute our knowledge to the community and thereby help to further develop controlling in the face of current and future challenges.

The ICV offers a wide range of formats and services. Which do you find particularly interesting personally and for the IPGL?

S. Michalsky:
Due to my scientific activities, I am particularly interested in the Green Controlling working group.

As IPGL, we will also be present at congresses and events to expand our network. Our employees will use webinars and online formats. We also offer to share our experience in multi-project management and controlling with the community.

The German government has approved a special fund of 500 billion euros for an infrastructure offensive. What does this mean for IPGL in concrete terms?

S.Michalsky:
What this means in detail cannot yet be clearly estimated. However, I am hoping for more budget for the implementation of additional infrastructure measures, as we have a considerable investment backlog in Germany – both at municipal and national level.

This needs to be reduced efficiently with the help of smart organizational forms such as an infrastructure project company.

However, I would like to emphasize that a special fund alone is not enough. In particular, a reduction in bureaucracy and the simplification of planning law are absolutely essential.

In conclusion: What do you understand by sustainable controlling? Which topics are currently of particular interest to you?

S. Michalsky:
Sustainable controlling combines economic, social and ecological aspects and uses state-of-the-art technologies.

For me, the topic of green controlling continues to be of central importance. In addition, controlling has to deal intensively with the sensible use of AI. Nevertheless, controlling will never manage entirely without people – at the end of the day, there is always the human in the loop.

At IPGL, we are therefore working extensively on the use of AI in all areas, including controlling. At the same time, we are consistently driving forward our green controlling, as we see our responsibility towards future generations and are convinced that we will always achieve economic benefits in the long term.