Deborah Kaminetzky sees this pattern constantly. Projects delivered on time and on budget that still fail because nobody actually wants to use them. As a former attorney turned project management consultant, Deb brings a unique perspective to the "messy middle" of software implementation – that critical space between buying the solution and getting real value from it.
In this conversation, we explore why user involvement isn't optional (shadow IT is thriving), the difference between making people feel heard versus actually letting them influence what gets built, and why technology leaders need a seat at the strategic table from day one.
🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
→ Solve the problem before you buy the solution – Most organizations skip straight to shopping without understanding what they're actually trying to fix
→ Mediation beats metrics for adoption – When users help gather information and participate in decisions, they use the tools. When they're just told what to do, they find workarounds
→ Measure outcomes, not outputs – On-time and on-budget means nothing if the software gathers dust six months later
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction
0:43 - From attorney to tech consultant: Deb's journey
2:15 - The pattern: Projects that succeed technically but fail practically
4:51 - Why software delivery has changed (but many companies haven't)
6:59 - Starting with users, not just C-suite strategy
10:30 - What to do with all that user feedback
12:04 - The mediation challenge: Being heard vs. influencing outcomes
17:04 - The nonprofit that saved $500K by using what they already had
19:24 - The gym membership problem in software purchasing
22:52 - Moving beyond on-time, on-budget thinking
27:26 - Key takeaways
🔗 CONNECT WITH US:
Podcast: https://definitelymaybeagile.com
Email: feedback@definitelymaybeagile.com
Connect with Deborah Kaminetzky:
De facto PM - https://www.defactopm.com
ABOUT DEFINITELY MAYBE AGILE:
A weekly podcast where Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock discuss the complexities of adopting new ways of working at scale. Not just Agile. Not just DevOps. Definitely maybe both, and then some.
#SoftwareImplementation #ProjectManagement #DigitalTransformation #Agile #DevOps #TechnologyLeadership #ChangeManagement #BusinessAgility #SoftwareDevelopment #ITStrategy #UserAdoption #EnterpriseIT