Brett Palmer: What to Do About Brent? Identifying and Fixing Team Bottlenecks

6:00 Pizza
6:25 Introductions, Sponsors
6:30-7:30 Presentation and Discussion
If you've read The Phoenix Project, you know Brent—the indispensable team member who becomes the bottleneck for everything. But in real teams, Brents aren’t always people. Sometimes they’re processes, approvals, or unspoken rules that slow everything down.

This talk explores how to identify bottlenecks in your software architecture and delivery processes, whether they stem from key individuals or organizational habits. We’ll also discuss how to grow new engineers into future leaders—without turning them into the next Brent.

The presentation is designed to spark discussion. Bring your stories, lessons, and ideas—we’ll explore how to build healthier, more resilient teams together.