Reed Shell on Combining AI, Agile, and Lean for Real Execution

Is AI coming for your job—or just the parts of it you never liked doing in the first place?

In this episode of KPI Fireside, host Keith Norris sits down with Reed Shell, a project management leader with more than 30 years of experience in enterprise delivery and transformation. Reed teaches project management and artificial intelligence at the University of Utah and advises organizations on applying AI responsibly without losing human accountability.

🔻 Why quality must be integrated throughout a project—not inspected in at the end

🔻 How focusing on value instead of plans accelerated delivery before Agile was formalized

🔻 Lessons from Nike’s culture and why culture drives execution speed

🔻 Why respect for people is foundational to Lean and transformation

🔻 The real risk of AI: automating broken processes

🔻 Why value stream mapping and Lean thinking will be even more critical in an AI-driven world

🔻 AI as an “overly ambitious intern” that removes low-value work

🔻 Why change management is the missing ingredient in most AI rollouts

🔻 The autopilot analogy: AI handles the instruments, humans still fly the plane

🔻 How leaders can help teams embrace technology instead of fearing it

🔗 Connect with Reed Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reedshell/

📘 Learn more about Reed's Work: https://www.bluehippoconsulting.com

🔗 Learn more about KPI Fire: https://www.kpifire.com/

🎙 Hosted by Keith Norris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithnorris/