Blending Product Thinking with Software Modernization

Modernization stalls when teams chase technology before value. When dealing with a 15-year-old platform, the question isn’t just how to modernize but what to modernize. The session "Blending Product Thinking with Software Modernization" picks up from there, with Brian McKeiver grounding how product thinking helps decide what to refactor, rebuild, or leave alone in real implementation choices.

Session details

In the world of software, products and systems don’t just remain static, they evolve, accumulate technical debt, and sometimes become an unmanageable mess of outdated frameworks, workarounds, and fragile dependencies. When dealing with a 15-year-old platform, the question isn’t just how to modernize but what to modernize. Should you refactor piece by piece or completely rebuild? What about adding that new feature for the Product Owner. The answer isn’t always obvious. This session explores how blending product thinking with software modernization leads to better outcomes. We’ll examine the lens of long-term product strategy, user needs, and business value. Using real-world lessons from a long-running SaaS product, a case study in modernizing a complex legacy platform, we’ll highlight how to balance technical constraints with customer expectations. Whether you’re leading a legacy transformation or trying to avoid one in the future, this talk will showcase some smart modernization decisions that don’t make the business take a full stop.

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Agenda facts

Format
Talk / Presentation
Kind
Conference Session
Topic
Software Engineering and Architecture
Level
Beginner
Time
Oct 30, 2026, 10:30 AM
Room
Room B
Duration
60 min

Speakers

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Modernization stalls when teams chase technology before value. When dealing with a 15-year-old platform, the question isn’t just how to modernize but what to modernize. The session "Blending Product Thinking with Software Modernization" picks up from there, with Brian McKeiver grounding how product thinking helps decide what to refactor, rebuild, or leave alone in real implementation choices. 📅 October 28–30, 2026 📍 Oakland University, Rochester, MI 🔗 https://www.mitechcon.net/sessions/blending-product-thinking-with-software-modernization/?utm_source=partner-kit&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=mitechcon-2026&utm_content=session-blending-product-thinking-with-software-modernization #MITechCon #SoftwareModernization #ProductThinking #Architecture

MediumUpdated 2026-07-08
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Modernization stalls when teams chase technology before value. Learn how product thinking helps decide what to refactor, rebuild, or leave alone. https://www.mitechcon.net/sessions/blending-product-thinking-with-software-modernization/?utm_source=partner-kit&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=mitechcon-2026&utm_content=session-blending-product-thinking-with-software-modernization #MITechCon #SoftwareModernization

ShortUpdated 2026-07-08
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Feature this MITechCon 2026 session in your newsletter or email: "Blending Product Thinking with Software Modernization". Modernization stalls when teams chase technology before value. When dealing with a 15-year-old platform, the question isn’t just how to modernize but what to modernize. The session "Blending Product Thinking with Software Modernization" picks up from there, with Brian McKeiver grounding how product thinking helps decide what to refactor, rebuild, or leave alone in real implementation choices. Format: Conference Session. Topic: Software Engineering and Architecture. Level: Beginner. Scheduled for Oct 30, 2026, 10:30 AM in Room B. Learn more and share the session: https://www.mitechcon.net/sessions/blending-product-thinking-with-software-modernization/?utm_source=partner-kit&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=mitechcon-2026&utm_content=session-blending-product-thinking-with-software-modernization

MediumUpdated 2026-07-08

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