Most solution designers and architects are now grappling with how to introduce AI into their design process—from ideation through prototyping and delivery.But far fewer have a clear understanding of how solution design actually works from end to end.In this episode of Designed to Accelerate, hosts Clay Richardson and Steph Louis kick off Season 2 by introducing a more practical perspective on solution design—and why AI will force solution design to evolve from a narrow concept into a structured, repeatable journey.The conversation explores the shift from design thinking to AI-driven design, why many teams remain stuck in abstraction, and what it takes to move from ideas and workshops to real-world execution.Clay and Steph also introduce the concept of the Solution Design Journey—a continuous, end-to-end process that spans from initial problem framing through delivery, with clear ownership, decisions, and accountability along the way.If you’re trying to turn AI potential into real-world outcomes, this episode provides a foundation for thinking differently about how solutions are designed and delivered.

Most conversations about AI and the Business Analyst role focus on one question:Will AI replace Business Analysts?That’s the wrong question.In this episode, we explore what’s actually changing—and why tools like Pega Blueprint are exposing a deeper shift in how value gets created.The real transformation isn’t about replacement.It’s about moving from:→ order-taking→ to value creationIn this conversation, Clay Richardson and Steph Louis sit down with Ben Baril (Senior Director, Solutions Consulting at Pega) to unpack:• Why Business Analysts are still optimizing for feasibility over value• How AI is lowering the barrier to designing and shaping solutions• What it means to evolve from BA to Solution Designer• The difference between “Dumb AI” and “Smart AI” for BAs• Why creativity and human judgment become more important—not lessWhether you call the role a Business Analyst or Business Architect, the shift is the same:👉 The value the role delivers is now front and center.

Most organizations are experimenting with AI.But far fewer are figuring out how to turn those experiments into enterprise solutions that deliver real business value.In this episode of Designed to Accelerate, hosts Clay Richardson and Steph Louis sit down with Steve Bixby (SVP of Product Engineering at Pega) to explore what it actually takes to move from AI experimentation to enterprise-scale solutions.The conversation wrestles with challenges that keep organizations focused on low-hanging-fruit AI and solution use cases, why integration remains one of the biggest barriers to enterprise AI, and why the role of solution design will become more important in the age of AI-powered solutions.If you're experimenting with enterprise AI but struggling to move beyond prototypes, this episode explores the challenges of designing solutions that actually deliver operational value at scale.GuestSteve BixbySVP of Product Engineering, PegaAbout the PodcastDesigned to Accelerate, hosted by Clay Richardson and Steph Lewis, explores how leaders design enterprise solutions that deliver real value through workflow automation, AI, and intelligent platforms.