Did you miss it live? We've got your back! Click below to watch the full session below on YouTube.
💡 We’re No Longer Just Building Apps — We’re Shaping Ecosystems
“The modern enterprise is a human-policy-platform machine.” – Dennis Augustine
Let’s face it—tech isn’t what it used to be. I’ve been in this game for more than 25 years, and what’s become clear is that we’ve reached a new threshold. We’re no longer just building applications. We’re designing for ecosystems. And that changes everything.
In our recent Tech Tuesdays session, I shared why the age of "Application Thinking" is behind us—and why "Platform Thinking" is the mindset we need now. It’s not about choosing the right app anymore. It’s about orchestrating outcomes within a system where people, policy, process, and platform all move together.
The 5Ps: A Systematic Approach to Making Digital Work
Over the years, I’ve watched project after project fail—not because the tech was bad, but because we skipped the steps that mattered. That’s why I use the 5Ps:
- Purpose
- People
- Problem
- Process
- Platform
This framework helps teams stop treating software like a bandage and start seeing it as part of a living, breathing system.
Start with Purpose (Don’t Skip This)
What are we really trying to achieve? That’s the question most projects skip. But without a clear purpose, your digital strategy will drift—or worse, fail quietly.
When we define purpose, we’re looking for:
- A one-page Purpose Statement
- A Map of Objectives
- Clear KPIs linked to outcomes
You can’t design success unless you know what it looks like.
Understand the People Involved
People are at the heart of every system—whether they’re customers, team members, or external partners. So we start by understanding them.
We use:
- Stakeholder Maps to visualize who’s in the mix
- RACI Charts to clarify roles
- Persona Profiles to add emotional context
And yes—actual conversations. Talk to the people. Listen. It’s amazing what you learn.
Define the Real Problem
Once you know your purpose and your people, ask: What’s getting in the way? Often, the real problem isn’t the one we thought it was.
So we dig:
- Write Problem Statements
- Do a simple Root Cause Analysis
- Measure the impact of the issues we’ve surfaced
🎯 Not all problems are created equal. Figure out what’s really worth solving.
Map the Process—Then Improve It
Here’s where things get tangible. We map the current state, and then we imagine the future state. This is where your digital roadmap really starts to take shape.
We look at:
- Data flows
- Roles and responsibilities
- Gaps between where you are and where you want to be
Without a process map, you’re designing blind. And visual diagrams are non-negotiable here—they bring clarity that no document ever could.
Finally—Let’s Talk Platform
At last. The tech.
But here’s the thing: if we haven’t done the work above, the platform is likely to fail. Or worse, it’ll become shelfware.
Platform Thinking isn’t about buying tools—it’s about designing an integrated, evolving system.
We use:
- A Platform Capability Matrix
- A Solution Architecture Map
- A Roadmap with Prioritized Backlog
The Human Advantage in the Age of AI
AI is changing the game. Code is becoming a commodity. But what can’t be commoditized is care. Or empathy. Or insight.
What gives you an edge as a digital professional today? The ability to:
- Listen deeply
- Understand complexity
- Build trust
Real Talk: Pivoting with the 5Ps
One of our attendees shared how embracing the 5Ps helped him pivot his start-up away from a failing idea to a thriving mission. It was vulnerable, inspiring, and spot-on.
The Ecosystem Age Is Here
We’ve moved past the Information Age. Today, we operate in a fully connected Ecosystem Age—where every decision affects a network of stakeholders, and digital strategy is a team sport.
If you’re building anything—whether a CRM or a start-up—you’re shaping that ecosystem. The 5Ps help you shape it with care.
Join us at the next Tech Tuesdays to explore how we can build better systems, together.
🔗 Learn more & register: https://www.dxalliance.org/tech-tuesdays
Watch Full Interview on YouTube