Rob Woolley

What does community building mean to you? Is it bringing people together over drinks? Is it learning in public to improve our collective well-being? Is it holding our craft to a higher standard, together? Last night was my first Cloud Native Calgary event, and it reinforced a belief: this community can meaningfully shape the tech ecosystem in Calgary. In a world where AI is moving faster than most organizations can adapt and systems are only getting more complex, we need stronger engineering practices around infrastructure. In other words, it is time to get back to DevOps. Christophe Fargette from Red Hat shared a great demo on Internal Developer Portals and Red Hat Developer Hub, built on Backstage, and why good platform experiences matter. It was humbling and energizing to see others striving for the same outcomes I have been working toward over the past two years: sustainable, scalable paths for teams, not heroics. The reality: many organizations, from startups to enterprises, still do not know where to begin with DevOps and lean heavily on software engineers to "figure it out" on top of product work. That does not scale. Hiring more engineers without changing how we work only increases complexity. We need to look honestly at the umbrella of DevOps and clean up our practices: platforms, pipelines, guardrails, and golden paths. ​ Practice transformation takes time. A practical first step is to understand the current health of your delivery and infrastructure practices, then ask: where can we safely automate, and where can a platform unlock better outcomes for both developers and the business? Shout out to Kevin Evans and his team for this amazing experience. #DevOps #ShopTalk #InternalDeveloperPortal #PracticeTransformation #PlatformEngineering #CloudNative #CNCF #SoftwareEngineering #YYCTech #ABTech

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I had a conversation with ChatGPT,: “Why are many technical projects in Canada experiencing poor traction?” Projects that are stalled, political, and unclear don’t get fixed by technical specialists alone. They get unstuck by people who can create clarity, rebuild trust, and move things forward despite ambiguity. It seems there is a diminishing capability of human interaction. What I came away with was the importance of human communication, respect, and value. People seem to forget how good it feels to have a great human experience like collaborating and successfully delivering something others value. Research seems to indicate that fear often prevents people from working well together. Ask questions, become interested in what others have to say, make sure everyone is on page, recognize everyone has value and appreciate what others offer. Tools don’t solve problems….people do. Canadian audits: failures are tied to people & leadership issues. A synthesis of 19 major IT project audits in Canada identified the main causes of failure: ·      Weak governance and oversight ·      Poor project management ·      Lack of organizational capacity (skills, staffing) ·      Poor client engagement and understanding of needs Some very telling details: ·      “Not understanding the needs of the client can lead to project failure” ·      “Inadequate organizational capacity is a recurring risk” ·      Weak performance management and accountability are common The most effective people in messy projects tend to combine three traits that don’t often show up together: ·      Doesn’t get pulled into drama or sides ·      Can sit in tense meetings without escalating conflict ·      Low ego, low reactivity These folks can simplify messy situations quickly ·      Turn “everything is broken” into: ·      what matters now ·      what can wait ·      what’s actually blocked What hiring managers often get wrong: They hire for: ·      Credentials ·      Tools (Agile, PMP, etc.) ·      Domain experience But they miss: ·      Conflict navigation ·      Communication under pressure ·      Ability to create clarity in ambiguity ·      Emotional maturity In Canadian federal IT projects: ·      86% are behind schedule ·      Only 5% are ahead of schedule This aligns with global benchmarks: ·      Only ~39% of projects succeed fully (on time, budget, scope) ·      Around 40% meet goals in some studies The “people problem” is consistently the biggest factor. Across studies (not just Canada), top barriers to project success: ·      Changing mindsets / attitudes – 58% ·      Corporate culture – 49% ·      Lack of senior leadership support – 32% If we all have value and capabilities, we can all be leaders in something. One of the first things we can improve is our mindset and attitude. #PeopleOverProcess, #AlignmentOverActivity, #ExecutionStartsWithPeople

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Track nothing and you fly blind. Track everything and you risk nudging teams to optimize vanity numbers instead of real customer value. So our Engineering Management crew here at Vendasta headed to the whiteboard and asked: Which numbers would actually help us ship better software, right now? We set two ground rules: * Start small, refine fast. Perfect‑on‑paper metrics that never get implemented are useless. * Coach with data, never grade with it. Dev‑level stats exist to spark healthy habits, not to rank people. Here are just a few of the starter metrics we’re exploring: * Ramp‑up velocity ⏩ - How quickly do new engineers reach full productivity? * Roadmap vs. reactive work 🎯 - Are we spending capacity on strategic goals or fighting fires? * AI adoption & impact 🤖 - Who’s using the AI tools our org is standardizing on, and is it actually moving the productivity needle? * Hiring‑pipeline health 🏃‍♂️ - Time‑to‑fill, drop‑off rates, and how that aligns with the roadmap. This is just a taste. There are plenty more on the board, and we’ll trim or add as reality teaches us. To turn ideas into something useful Megan Cheesbrough (Engineering Manager), Lyle McRae (our new Senior Data Engineer), and I have started jamming on a proposal: a BigQuery + Dataform backbone with clear data standards so we can plug sources in once and let AI workflows keep everything fresh. Nothing’s built yet, but Lyle’s bringing proven patterns from past wins to shape a framework that fits our needs. Big unlock if we get it right. Our Principles: * Value first, vanity never. * Automate the grunt work; manage the AI. * Tell a story the whole org cares about. We’ve kicked off an MVP and will iterate. Your turn: What’s one metric that genuinely changed how your engineering org works? Drop a thought below. I’m keen to compare notes as we turn this whiteboard into reality.

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Week 1 - The Risk IT Managers Already Know Exists This Is a Leadership Issue Knowledge loss isn’t about bad employees or lazy teams. It’s about whether leadership invested in documentation as infrastructure—and that’s where Technical Writers come in. #yyc #yeg #yvr #technicalwriting #ITrisk

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In engineering, we talk about reducing latency because milliseconds matter. In strategy, we reduce response time because relationships matter. Instant replies are what customers expect. AI-powered conversations is the solution, and businesses that deliver are pulling ahead. At Vendasta Connect, Bryan Larson will share how real-time engagement is replacing static marketing funnels, and why agencies and SMBs can’t afford to sit this shift out. Why does this matter? ⚡ Speed isn’t just a user-facing feature; it’s a cultural expectation that shapes the products we build.
⚡ AI isn’t an add-on; it’s an architectural consideration from day one.
 As we scale our AI workflows internally, I’m reminded that strategy and execution are not separate tracks - they feed each other. Teams that understand what’s shifting in the customer landscape build better systems, make better trade-offs, and ship better software. If you’re thinking about how your business needs to adapt to the new realities of customer expectations, join us at Vendasta Connect. You’ll leave with ideas worth stress-testing in your own systems the next day. Link in comments.

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🚨 Another example of poor QA practices in the real world 🚨 When flying with Delta, the check-in experience is different depending on whether you use the website or the app. Same data, different outcomes. My partner (Canadian) has run into this so many times abroad that she now sets a reminder to check in via iPad instead of phone—just to avoid being forced to check in at the airport. This is the kind of issue any competent QA process should have caught. If it wasn’t prioritized due to resource constraints, then at minimum the app should guide users to the correct channel instead of silently failing and frustrating paying customers. 👉 Inconsistent cross-platform experiences aren’t just bugs. They’re a signal of: ·     Insufficient QA coverage ·     Poor communication between teams ·     A culture that prioritizes “ship it” over customer trust Users don’t care which platform “works” — they care about a seamless experience. Hiding behind platform silos or hoping customers will “figure it out” is lazy and anti-customer. Bad QA isn’t just a tech problem. It’s a business problem.

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Digital transformation projects don’t fail because of technology. They stall because of people. At Paladin, our role is to minimize that delivery risk. We provide enterprise-fluent consultants who land well, stabilize programs, and help leadership teams navigate the cultural side of transformation, so technology investments actually deliver. The CIO article linked below underscores this point, showing how resistance, training gaps, and cultural adoption curves often become the real cost of transformation. #DigitalTransformation #EnterpriseIT #ChangeManagement #PaladinConsulting #ITLeadership

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Legacy systems slow down decisions.
Manual processes tie up teams.
Customers wait for answers. Canadian Alliance Terminals faced exactly this. ✗ Real-time visibility was missing. ✗ Integrations were brittle. ✗ B2C growth stalled. Extensiv helped change that. 
 ✔ Self-serve portals put data directly in customers’ hands. 
 ✔ EDI and APIs made integrations faster and more predictable.
 ✔ Network Manager connected facilities into a national network. The impact wasn’t just operational. 
 → Teams moved from data entry to high-value work. 
 → Customers saw what was happening as it happened. 
 → Onboarding became smoother. → Growth became scalable. Transparency, integration, and smart connections accelerate operations.
 When people have the right information at the right time, work flows. Decisions get faster. Service improves. Canadian Alliance redefined how work gets done. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gktQ4p3E

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Over the last few months, I’ve been focusing on API testing and building my own automation tools for large-scale reconnaissance. During one of these routine tests, I came across something much bigger than I expected. I discovered two critical vulnerabilities inside a Canadian million dollar redacted company . Both issues could have allowed: • Full admin takeover • Full CRUD access to internal data • Zero-authentication entry points • Complete compromise of the chatbot admin panel The first issue was an unauthenticated internal API that exposed highly sensitive administrative functions. The second came from a staging environment where the admin credentials were hard-coded on the client side — and the same credentials still worked in production. I followed responsible disclosure, worked directly with the development team, shared a detailed report, and verified the fixes after the patches were applied. This has been one of the most significant findings in my journey as an independent security researcher. I’ve published the full write-up here: https://lnkd.in/gPHr4AjJ

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You are in marketing, sales or product management and people do not understand your product's value. And your product is B2B. Then this talk is for you. Having read and applied the frameworks from April's books: Obviously Awesome and Sales Pitch, chances are this will be educational and entertaining.

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The future of corporate volunteering isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. We’re excited to collaborate with our partners at Benevity not only on our new integration but also on the State of Corporate Volunteering 2026 and the broader conversation about where impact is really headed. Across tens of thousands of volunteer events and hundreds of thousands of post-event employee surveys, one insight consistently stands out: -Accessibility drives impact. -Employee sentiment remains consistently high (4.3–4.4 out of 5), regardless of duration, format, or location. That consistency reflects the strength of rigorous, large-scale data and a clear takeaway. When employees have choice and flexibility, participation becomes more inclusive, more meaningful, and more sustainable. At Visit.org, we empower companies with flexible, high-quality experiences that meet employees where they are while delivering measurable, real-world impact for nonprofits. As we enter the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development, the question isn’t just how we scale volunteering. It’s how we design it better. Explore the full report and join the conversation. https://lnkd.in/eyQV9b_r

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The thing is, the effort is asymmetrical. A bad actor needs to find only one vulnerability and exploit it. We on the other hand, need to cover all vulnerabilities.

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We’ve been rebuilding the Drupal community here in Edmonton Alberta region, and it’s been great to see people reconnect and share ideas again. After our recent meetup in 2025 at the Stanley A. Milner Library (Thanks to our sponsors Yellow Pencil #Northern ), I’ve been thinking about what we want 2026 to look like, and I’d really value some input from others who’ve been part of similar communities and who have organised it. If you’ve organised, attended, or supported Drupal or other tech events, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 1) Are there organizations or companies in the Edmonton, Alberta area that regularly sponsor, support, or contribute to events like these? (Special thanks to our sponsor last year, Northern Commerce and Dev Edmonton Society) 2) Any topics you’ve seen resonate particularly well recently that should be covered int he future meetups ? 3) Anything you’ve learned the hard way that we should keep in mind ? The goal is to build something consistent, useful, and welcoming for both new and experienced folks in the CMS space in Alberta Region. If you have ideas or suggestions, feel free to comment or message me directly. I’d really appreciate it. #CMS #EdmontonDrupal #AlbertaDrupal #OpenSource #TechCommunity

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Strong client relationships are built on collaboration, not roadblocks. When we reframe limitations as opportunities for creative problem-solving, we transform potential friction into partnership. Instead of saying “no” to client requests, try these strategic alternatives: 🔄 “Let me explore what’s possible within our current scope” ⏱️ “We can prioritize this - here’s what would need to shift” 💡 “Here’s an alternative approach that achieves your goal” 📊 “Let’s discuss the trade-offs and options available” What strategies do you use to turn challenging requests into win-win solutions? #YouGotThis #ProjectManagement #ClientRelations #Leadership #ProfessionalGrowth

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You may have seen Brad Plunkett's post about contractor frustrations with the HEAR Rebate Program. In case this is seen by leadership at CEO or ClearResult, I’d like to offer a pragmatic perspective on how to fix it. 1. Remove the RMI Calculator Step Goal: Ensure less financially secure households understand the utility bill impact of fuel switching. Issue: This step is long, requires significant technical expertise, and does not support simple e-signature workflows. Remedy: - Automatically email participants RMI’s average cost-impact data for homes with and without solar - Include an optional link to the RMI calculator for those who want to go deeper, along with a short explainer video - Remove contractors from this step entirely - Refocus CEO efforts on securing a dedicated heat pump electric rate with Xcel, which would materially improve heat pump ROI and adoption 2. Simplify Rebate Reservations Goal: Ensure contractors will get paid post install. Issue: The current process requires hours of data entry (hundreds of fields) and a 4–6 week ClearResult turnaround. Remedy: - Require only the proposal with rebates amounts listed and AHRI or NEEP documentation - Set reservation expirations at 8–10 weeks to keep rebate pool current. - Allow high-performing contractors (e.g., >97% pass rate) to reserve rebates with a single click 3. Streamline Payment Verification Goal: Confirm equipment was installed at the correct address. Issue: Current requirements demand hours of submission time, excessive photos, and unnecessary labor/material cost breakdowns. Remedy: - Require only an invoice and four photos: ODU, IDU, and both nameplates - Eliminate labor vs. materials split—it provides no value to customers or contractors - Pay via ACH within 5–7 business days If these changes were implemented, the overall process could realistically shrink from ~12 weeks to 1–2 weeks. This would significantly reduce contractor burden, increase participation and close rates, and lower ClearResult’s operational overhead. Finally, it’s worth noting that an AI-based review and auto-approval system for these submissions could be built in a matter of hours, not months. Respectfully

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It’s not often an early career technologist gets a chance to have broad impact over the whole analysis process. This is a career-building opportunity. Strong SQL skills are mandatory for this one!

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Hiring the Right Software Developers Is a Game-Changer for Your Business Whether you’re building a product, scaling a platform, or modernizing internal systems, the success of your software depends on your development team. In this blog, we cover: ✅ Where to find the best developers (locally + globally) ✅ Key traits to look for — beyond just code skills ✅ Questions to ask before hiring ✅ Tips for hiring freelancers vs. dev agencies “Great software starts with the right people, not just the right tech stack.” 👉 Read the full guide: https://lnkd.in/gd3qYQCG #SoftwareDevelopment #HiringTips #TechTalent #CustomSoftware #CalgaryTech #DevTeams #StartupGrowth #DigitalSolutions #SoftwareDevelopersCalgary #CalgarySoftwareDevelopers

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