Schedule - Nordic PGDay 2026
Grandpa's Guide to Technical Empathy: Decrypting PostgreSQL for Strategic Clarity
Date: 2026-03-24
Time: 17:00–17:50
Room: Vision 1
Level: Beginner
Technical Empathy is the essential, non-coding skill that allows non-technical leaders to understand the why and how of underlying technology and translate technical constraints into strategic opportunities. This session equips non-developers with the repeatable communication frameworks needed to bridge the communications crisis plaguing many projects.
We will explore grandpa philosophy—the art of making complex concepts clear and unforgettable—to demystify core PostgreSQL features and strategically position them for decision-makers. Attendees will learn actionable frameworks to:
- Decode Value: Use powerful metaphors (e.g., the Library, the Hotel, the Reliable Car ) to explain technical concepts like indexing, VACUUM, and scaling in a business context.
- De-Risk Strategy: Translate the consequences of technical debt, using the "car analogy" to secure budget and prioritize proactive care like VACUUM maintenance, preventing costly emergency fixes.
- Drive Modern Innovation: Understand how PostgreSQL's extensible architecture and features like pgvector enable cutting-edge AI and search capabilities within existing infrastructure, turning complex tech into clear feature roadmaps.
By fostering Technical Empathy, this talk empowers the community to eliminate miscommunication, secure strategic alignment, and ensure PostgreSQL investments consistently deliver maximum business value.
