Don't Panic Labs' Problem Solving Toolbox

Jul 23, 2025 at 8:45 am

"We’re taking on increasingly complex problems while moving faster than ever.

In this interactive workshop, we will explore the product lifecycle and demonstrate how to co-create solutions at various stages through collaborative activities with customers and your team. Build your problem-solving toolbox with techniques that we have successfully used over the past 15 years at Don’t Panic Labs.

Problem solving works best when everyone has a seat at the table and this session is ideal for developers, architects, product managers, scrum masters, project managers, tech leads, and most importantly you! Get ready to think creatively, collaborate with others, and unlock solutions to the unknown.

Learning Objectives / Activities:

• Mash-Up: Combine ideas to create innovative solutions.
• User Mapping for Empathy: Put yourself in the user’s shoes to understand their needs.
• Fix-It Framework: Learn a structured approach to problem-solving and effective communication strategies.
• Additional Design Thinking Activities"

Women in Tech: Where Are They?

Jul 24, 2025 at 1:15 pm

"In this talk we will examine women, or the lack of, in technology. Why do women make up such a small percentage of the technology field? And how can we improve this?

We’ll start with a brief history of software engineering and women’s contributions to the field. Software engineering was initially considered “women’s work”, but has steadily become a male dominated industry. Statistics reflect this in the continued decline of women in software engineering since that time.

Recent research shows that women are leaving the technology field at alarming rates. Even with more women entering the pipeline, the amount of women in the technology field has not increased. We’ll examine recent statistics that support this notion. As well as research that suggests why and likely contributing factors.

Most importantly, is how we can improve the presence of women in technology and management roles. From hiring practices, to culture implementation, and promotion considerations. I will provide ways for companies to improve their outcomes in hiring, retaining, and advancing women’s presence in technology to advance us all."

Project Recovery: Navigating the Bumps and Getting Back on Track

Jul 25, 2025 at 1:30 pm

"In an ideal world, every project goes according to plan—on time, within budget, with zero defects, and happy users and stakeholders. But in reality, projects don’t always unfold as smoothly as we hope. So, what happens when things start to go off track?

This session will explore effective strategies for recovering projects that are veering off course. Drawing from real-world examples and practical tools, we’ll identify common patterns and share proven approaches for turning a project around. While no one can guarantee that every project can be saved, the insights and techniques shared here will give you the tools to give any project a fighting chance. You’ll leave with actionable steps to assess the current state of your project, identify potential risks, and develop a roadmap for success—even when things seem to be falling apart.

Whether you’re leading a project or part of a team, join us for this session to gain valuable strategies for project recovery, and discover how to confidently navigate the inevitable challenges every project faces."

Roadmapping with Critical Thought

Jul 25, 2025 at 10:00 am

"We’re discovering and taking on increasingly complex problems. Businesses want to deliver more value and faster. Roadmaps have become the fundamental tool to aligning teams in these efforts.

We’ve all learned how to structure a roadmap, but how do we figure out what to actually put on the roadmap? This session will dive into customer discovery and critical thought tools to evolve from a product owner publishing a roadmap to a team co-creating one together.

Learning Objectives

• Discover benefits gained with collaborative roadmaping
• Overview customer discovery & co-creation
• Identify the nature of problems, predictable or research and development
• Apply activities to facilitate team critical thought"