🔑 Episode Summary:

Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use technology to manage the full lifecycle of their projects. In this guest introduction episode, host Nick Caravella sits down with Jamie Lynn Cook—an author, consultant, and educator who's helped organizations transform big ideas into operational reality.

We explore Jamie’s evolution from software tester to change agent, uncovering her early interest in usability, systems thinking, and business process optimization. Jamie reveals how her journey led her to apply Agile beyond software and into enterprise-wide strategy. With a clear-eyed view of today’s AI hype cycle, Jamie warns against "cartoon dollar signs" and makes the case for governance, not chaos, in the age of automation.

This episode lays the foundation for the next one, where we dig deeper into AI governance and how to navigate the risks of rapid adoption.

👤 Guest Bio:

Jamie Lynn Cook is an author, consultant, and educator focused on operationalizing innovation. She brings Agile methodology out of its software silo and into enterprise strategy, helping organizations improve productivity without sacrificing quality. Her latest work tackles the realities of AI transformation, focusing on responsible adoption and the human implications of automation.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Productivity ≠ Hours Worked: Jamie redefines productivity by how much value is delivered—not how many hours are logged.

• Agile Isn’t Just for Software: Agile can—and should—be applied across business functions, from marketing to operations.

• Beware of Cartoon Dollar Signs: Organizations often rush into AI with unrealistic cost-saving dreams and unclear directives.

• Entry-Level Isn’t Optional: Eliminating entry-level jobs in favor of AI jeopardizes the future talent pipeline.