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

Good intentions, bad outcomes

Good intentions, bad outcomes
Local Optimization: Why Your Team's Success Might Be Slowing Down the Whole Company
Nov 25, 2025 Season 1 Episode 18
Xodiac

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.

Contact us at feedback@goodintentionsbadoutcomes.org

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