Local Optimization: Why Your Team's Success Might Be Slowing Down the Whole Company Artwork

Good intentions, bad outcomes

A podcast about challenges and practices you might encounter in the workplace... things that were intended well, but have outcomes that aren't so great. In most cases, the organizations aren't even aware of how bad the outcomes are.

Every episode we discuss a situation that has something wrong with it: the what, the why and what can be done to address it.

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Good intentions, bad outcomes

Local Optimization: Why Your Team's Success Might Be Slowing Down the Whole Company

November 25, 2025 • Xodiac • Season 1 • Episode 18

Are your teams working harder and faster but nothing is getting to production quicker?

You might be falling into the local optimization trap. In this episode of Good Intentions and Outcomes, we explore how optimizing one part of your system can accidentally slow down the entire organization. Wayne shares real-world examples from software delivery teams, IT departments, and QA processes where good intentions led to unexpected bottlenecks.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

- What local optimization is and why it happens

- Real examples of teams improving metrics while overall delivery slows

- The disconnect between deployment and release

- Why focusing on what's in front of you can blind you to bigger problems

- Practical techniques to see the whole system (value stream mapping, theory of constraints)

💡 Key Takeaway:

Sometimes you need to "de-optimize" one part to optimize the whole system.

Perfect for: Engineering managers, product owners, Agile coaches, DevOps teams, and anyone interested in systems thinking and organizational efficiency.

🔗 Have a workplace situation you'd like us to discuss? Let us know in the comments!

#LocalOptimization #SystemsThinking #AgileTransformation #DevOps #SoftwareDelivery

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Good Intentions and Outcomes Podcast - Exploring workplace challenges where good intentions lead to unintended consequences.