
Design Talk (dot IE)
Design Talk. A podcast for learning about the business of technology design and management. Listen to stories, panels, interviews and discussions about technology and design in-the-wild: the good, the beautiful, and the useful. Whether you've got one big idea, you think of yourself as an organisation designer, product designer, creator, or entrepreneur. Each episode offers a take on how people design, strategise, organise, and develop technology. We want to dig into the essence of design, discover the backstory to technologies, and unpack the design attitude. We started this podcast for you, because you are interested in tinkering, in making, and how ideas become 'things', and because we are all, in some way, involved in designing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jun 7, 2023 • 41min
0200 - Consulting Culture with Ian Doyle
Hosts: Afolabi Olusola and Carina VölkerlingWe are very pleased to welcome Ian Doyle, Consulting Manager at Guidewire Software, the international insurance software and technology company.· Tell us a little about your background and your current role? · What does a day in the life look like?· How has Guidewire’s methodology evolved over the years? · Is the methodology the same for both product development and client delivery?· What good-working-practices can you highlight for teams? · You’d talked about the concept of value, is it intangible or something you measure? · How does consulting change when a client engagement requires working with other partners? [external services, other consultants etc]· The insurance industry is famously based on data and actuary-centred, is there room for data scientists in the industry (and Guidewire)?· Can you share 3 tips and 3 cautions for a consultant starting out…· <and audience questions?>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:[retro’s; well-functioning team; regular Slack calls – huddles, Zoom, frequent regular communications; brown-bags; clear role/responsibility; culture of openness; team charter; others][tips and pitfalls: Build a network; don’t be afraid to ask questions; and be prepared to challenge the customer. Have those difficult conversations. Build relationships, know your team, know the people up and below, keep your skills up to date. Look for variety in your roles – don’t get stuck in a niche; Look for places that give a mix of challenge and responsibility – balance between being spoon fed versus struggling; things are changing get over it, change can be an opportunity.]AcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 6, 2023 • 36min
0199 - Building Data Platforms with James Egan
Hosts: Harshitha Jayasimha, Abhishek Sabharwal We are very pleased to welcome James Egan, software consultant at Murex.Can you tell us a little about yourself to start?· Talk about the industry space that Murex operates in? · Do developers need Financial Services knowledge to work in this space?· Having trained as an engineer, how did you get into product management?· How does the product development side interact with the customer facing side?· What approaches do you take to gathering and managing requirements? [expand on approach to Agile – SAFE]· What do you look for in new hires? [Fast, willing learners, open minds, problem solvers.]· Go-to tools and techniques for the job?· Where do you see design taking place? What is design? [architecture, interface, lines-of-code; design philosophy?]· <questions from the audience>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:https://www.murex.com/en/who-we-are/about-usAcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 17, 2023 • 37min
0198 - Seeding Innovation with Gary Leyden
Hosts: Zi Wang and Lakshit ChamoliWe are very pleased to have Gary Leyden with us today. Gary’s business career is distinguished by building new lines of business, founding, and investing in new ventures.· Gary, before we start, can you share some of the highlights of your career thus far?· Introduce us to InsTech.ie and the motivation behind it? [founder journey – btw is there a connection to Insurtechireland.org?]· How is InsTech.ie prompting innovation among its members? [benchmarking with Ninety]· Talk us through some of the challenges of creating innovation in a regulated sector? [approaches in different jurisdictions, EU institutions, Central Bank of Ireland, UK FCA, etc.]· How have other locations sparked innovation capability in Insurance and what can Ireland learn from them? [London]· Insurance is all about data and risk information. Is there any unused data left? [yes]· Does the insurance industry have the space for more data literacy roles, in addition to the actuaries? [yes, role for new Insurtech start-ups]· What is the potential for new data-driven services or products in insurance? [examples, regulated entities, sandbox]<and some questions from the audience>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:https://www.instech.ie - Benchmarking Approachhttps://ninety.comhttps://irishadvantage.com/insuretech/AcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 9, 2023 • 54min
0197 - A Short History of Digital Transformation with Joe Peppard
Host: Allen HigginsWe are very pleased to welcome Professor Joe Peppard, educator, consultant, and researcher.First, Joe, could you share a few words about your career to-date and your passion for IT?· <talking points>· Computers, networks, Internet, and platform software as transformative technologies.· Knowledge management for technology.· Automation, strategic transformation, and organisational change.· Implications for the increasing use of AI in the economy.· New ways of working echo old ways of working.· Technology market – temporary monopolies and cycles of competitive domination.· Platform economies – the shift from hardware to operating systems to software as a service.· Transformational moments in computing and technology inflection points.· <any audience questions?>Well, we’ll wrap up now.Thank you for the stimulating discussion with lots of new ideas to reflect upon.Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.NOTES:Joe Peppard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-peppard-5868513/AcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2023 • 37min
0196 - Talking about Process Data with Cormac Garvey
Hosts: Anugrah Gupta and Sindhusuta MohantyWe are very pleased to have Cormac Garvey with us today. Cormac’s career spans factory automation, control systems, systems architecture, software prototyping and information modelling.· Cormac, before we start, can you introduce us to your world. · You’ve described yourself as working at the plumbing end of data analytics. Can you explain what that means?· Who uses the data and what do they use it for? · Having worked with and mastered a wide range of software tools over your career, what go-to approaches are in your consulting toolbox?· Can you give us a sketch of your approach to requirements capture?· How do you approach conceptual design? Both as an individual consultant and as a member of a team?· And translating a conceptual design into the full project?· What for you, is the essence of design?<and some questions from the student audience>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:Cormac’s profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cormac-garvey-9a34503/Cormac’s start-up is HAL Software – a standards-based software design tool for process control and MES environments (manufacturing execution systems). Watch the 2 minute HAL overview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A1cEYaqr-kCormac is a member of and/or participates in:· The OPCUA REST subgroup· The Open Process Automation Forum· And the “biophorum”The OPC Foundation (Open Platform Communications), an industry consortium that develops standards for connectivity of industrial automation devices and systems.OPC UA (Unified Architecture) is a cross-platform, open-source standard for data exchange from sensors to cloud applications developed by the OPC Foundation. IEC 62541 is the international standard describing the OPC UA information model.ISA-88, S88, aka ANSI/ISA88, is a standard addressing batch process control.ISA-95 aka Enterprise-Control System Integration. An automation workflow standard.AcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 2023 • 28min
0195 - Starting “lets-viz” with Neetu Singla
Hosts: Son Nguyen and Sunil KumarToday we are joined by Neetu Singla, co-founder of Lets Viz, headquartered in Delhi, India.Neetu, can you give us the backstory to starting “Lets Viz” and where are you based?· What does a typical workday look like?· Why is IT outsourcing from India appealing for clients?· Has outsourcing given a social impact benefit to India?· No doubt there is a huge opportunity for data analytics, analysis, visualisation. Where does the appetite for “Lets Viz” services come from and who is your ideal customer?· Tell us a little about the way data analytics is being used and what tools do you use?· How does remote work fit in with your business growth plans?· Is English language the baseline for international communication?· What is your approach to working with international partners? How do you manage timezone gaps and distance related issues?· How do you generate new business? · What are the opportunities and risks, running a business in the global marketplace? · How do you react? Starting with a new client and find out that they don’t have as much knowledge of their own data…· <any additional questions?>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:https://lets-viz.comAcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 2023 • 46min
0194 - Transforming Public Sector with David Horn
Hosts: Cathy Nguyen and Murhaf AbdalqaderWe are very pleased to welcome David Horn, Senior Manager in Artificial Intelligence & Data Consulting at Deloitte.To start David, can you tell us a little more about your journey starting as an Analyst at Deloitte?· What are services does Deloitte Consulting provides? · What makes public sector consulting special? · How do public sector multi-vendor teams work? · What are the qualities that consultants should embody?· Can you talk about the practical challenges you have faced in client organisations?· How do you approach designing and redesigning client systems? · Can you say a little about the application of standards to these systems? Any questions from the audience?Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:AcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 2023 • 40min
0193 - Consulting as Listening with Dean Murphy
Hosts: Simon Paul and Soumya RajashekarWe are very pleased to welcome Dean Murphy. Dean is Principal Solution Consultant at ABP, a process automation consultancy and services company. He has been involved in consultancy, business automation, technology, and services delivery for many years.To start, could you give us short sketch of your career to date.· Can you tell us about ABP’s mission and where does the School of Automation fit within that vision?· Can you share your thoughts on “the technologist as a salesperson”.· On trap of thinking it’s all about the technology; How do I force myself to be focused on the customer?· Talk about the differences and challenges that public sector brings vs private sector.· The impact of automation is often cast as a negative, jobs lost, that kind of thing, how valid are the fears and criticisms, how do you deal with introducing automation and AI solutions into client sites?· You’ve talked about Storytelling as a key skill for consultants, for analysts, technologists, do you have an example? [Rubik’s Cube]<extra questions from class>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:ABP - https://www.abpconsultancy.comSelf-Sufficiency Model for Consulting (ABP approach)ABP School of Automation - https://www.schoolofautomation.tech/partnersAcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 2023 • 30min
0192 - Consulting Career Paths with Kevin Dardis
Hosts: Leo (Wong Tsz Lung) and Luca Spigai. We are very pleased to welcome Kevin Dardis. Kevin is a consultant at Deloitte, starting out as an Analyst working on ERP implementations in the pharmaceutical industry before specialising in technology programme management and project management. He is also an active member of the Irish Chapter of the PMI.So, Kevin, how did you go from being a masters student to working in Deloitte? · Is outsourcing one of the fundamental business strategies?· Should shift the language away from outsourcing and towards 'partnering'?· What does a working week look like in technology consulting?· Does working with a client when multiple consultancies are involved raise special challenges?· A consulting firm has access to a vast store or skills and knowledge. How do you tap into them when needed?· What trends in technology are particularly hot now?· Are there any questions from the audience?Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for talking with us and sharing your thoughts with us today.NOTES:https://www2.deloitte.com/ie/en.htmlhttps://pmi-ireland.orgAcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2023 • 42min
0191 - Talking about Robots with Mark O'Connor
Hosts: Manali Dixit and Kushagra Mathur We are very pleased to welcome Mark O’Connor. Mark is Head of Public Sector at ABP and has been involved in technology centred transformation initiatives across his career.· To start, could you give us short sketch of your career to date.· Can you tell us about ABP’s mission?· Where does process automation fit within the technology consulting ecosystem?· What values and mindset do you rely on in your role as a consultant?· Things to keep in mind when working with clients?· The impact of automation is often cast as a negative, jobs lost, that kind of thing, how valid are the fears and criticisms, how do you deal with it as a service provider?· Talk about the differences and challenges that public sector brings vs private sector.· <extra questions from class>Well, we’ll wrap up there.Thank you for sharing your ideas with us today.Notes:ABP Consultancy - https://www.abpconsultancy.com ABP School of Automation - https://www.schoolofautomation.tech/partnersSelf-Sufficiency Model for Consulting (ABP approach)https://www.uipath.com (automation tools provider)AcknowledgementsMusic Title: Voltaic FluctuationsArtist: Ben PruntySource: https://www.benpruntymusic.com/License: Non-transferable license. Permission granted by Ben PruntyCover Art Title: Complex collageArtist: Allen HigginsSource: vignette_version.pptxLicense: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Podcast LicenseDesign Talk (dot IE) CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 The license can be viewed at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0By taking part you give permission for your voice to be recorded, for the recording to be edited, and for it to be posted and published as a podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.