Why the Buffet Might Be A Better Way To Start Your Next Tech Transformation

And How Adopting Mash-Ups Move Your Tech Efforts Along Faster!

Sometimes, the simplest ideas deliver the biggest surprises.?

What started as a temporary solution—an effort that I thought might last a few months—ended up running for three years. Not only that, but it also won an international award, far exceeding our initial expectations.

This is the story of how a strategic mashup—using tools we already had—created momentum, funding, and excitement, paving the way for a larger, more expensive initiative down the line. And yes, all along this mashup made things much better for our customers and employees - and for much less cost!

From Simple Mashup to Award-Winning Solution

When we started, the goal was straightforward: find a fast, efficient way to address a pressing need. Instead of waiting months to implement a perfect solution. The company was struggling with how to replace 20 legacy solutions and give a better experience. While well intentioned, everyone in the business and technology teams looked to make it more complex and elaborate.? Instead, after a little inspiration in a meeting, we took what was already available—a mature data visualization tool—and enhanced it with simple, approved add-ons.

Within a day, we had something that met over 70% of the initial needs. Over the course of a month, we fine-tuned it into a highly effective system that checked even more boxes:

• Secure - all sensitive data was protected and all access logged
• Approved interfaces and technologies - same answers regardless of where asked
• Aligned with organizational standards - this was nowhere near rogue or shadow

This wasn’t about being sloppy, creating digital waste or settling for junk. It was about leveraging what was already in place to create an immediate, impactful solution.

The Unexpected Results

What happened next was beyond what we anticipated:

1. Extended Lifespan: What started as a temporary fix lasted three years and had 99.95% uptime throughout.
2. Organizational Momentum: The success of the mashup built excitement, inertia, and critical funding for the next phases. It also helped us realize what we really needed in a less expensive environment.
3. Award Recognition: The project earned an international award as best in class over 500 companies, bringing visibility and credibility to the team and the organization.

By the time we transitioned to the “more expensive” solution, we had a clear understanding of what we wanted, which allowed us to implement it much more efficiently. This mashup didn’t just bridge the gap—it helped us clarify our end goals.

Why Mashups Work

The key lesson here is that you don’t always need a perfect solution right away. Sometimes, a phased approach using existing tools can:

• Deliver quick wins.
• Reduce risk by learning as you go.
• Build the momentum and buy-in needed for larger initiatives.

Your organization likely already has mature technologies that, when combined creatively, can solve problems faster than waiting for a massive overhaul. Whether you're transitioning to microservices, implementing Salesforce, moving more to the cloud or deploying an environment like Databricks, mashups can serve as a valuable interim step.

Practical Takeaways

If you're stuck waiting for the "perfect" solution, consider these tips:

1. Start Small: Use what you already have to prototype or create a functional mashup.
2. Focus on Compliance: Ensure your mashup meets organizational standards for security and approval.
3. Canary Test: Use a small test group to get feedback fast and refine before you roll it out to everyone.
4. Iterate Quickly: Plan to release at least every two weeks while refining daily.
5. Think in Phases: Use mashups as a bridge to larger, more expensive initiatives.

Remember, this isn’t about throwing things together haphazardly. It’s about being strategic, creative, and resourceful with the tools and systems already at your disposal.

Let Mashups Surprise You

This project was a reminder of the power of creativity and adaptability. What started as a short-term solution became an award-winning success that energized the team and set the stage for even bigger achievements.

Want More?

If you’re looking for ways to move the dial in your own organization, start with what you have. The results might just surprise you too.

For those of you that enjoy videos, here’s a short one that walks you through this:

Have questions or want to chat about how this approach could work for you??

Feel free to message me here on LI. Let’s brainstorm how simple mashups could lead to extraordinary outcomes in your world!