Shifting a team of systems administrators from a service-oriented mindset to a product-focused approach is no easy task, but it’s crucial for delivering genuine value for users.
When I began contracting for a branch of the Dutch government, I quickly recognized that viewing the platform as a product—rather than just a service—could create more meaningful impact for both the team and its users.

By implementing practices like inner sourcing and user group meetings, we bridged the gap between the platform team and developers, while also cultivating a sense of ownership among users. These changes transformed the team from reactive service providers into proactive maintainers, and users into engaged, strategic contributors.

In this talk, I’ll share how these simple, actionable steps helped instill product thinking, encourage collaboration across teams, and spark lasting change within the organization.