TSM 156 Conference – Highlights and Insights
A fresh edition, new insights, and a room full of inspiration — that’s the best way to describe this month’s conference marking the launch of
TSM 156 (Today Software Magazine).
Hosted by
msg systems Romania, the event brought together professionals and enthusiasts from the local tech and design community for an afternoon of meaningful presentations and dialogue.
The conference opened with an introduction by
Ovidiu Mățan, founder of
Today Software Magazine, who reflected on the evolution of the publication and the main themes of this new edition.
Speakers at the event included:
- Ioan Călin Mălinas – Division Manager, msg systems Romania
- Radu Ghițulescu – Senior UX Designer, msg systems Romania
- Radu Chelariu – Design System Manager, METRO.digital
- Daniel-Liviu Oros – UI/UX Designer, BT Code Crafters
- Anca Cristina Sofan – Lead Product/UX Designer, BoatyardX
- Adrian Iacov – Feature Engineer, ING Hubs Romania
- Popovici Ovidiu – Senior Consultant, P3
With topics ranging from user experience and product thinking to digital innovation, the conference showcased both the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s software landscape.
The Agile Paradox – A Fresh Perspective from Ovidiu Popovici
Among the many inspiring talks during the launch of TSM 156, one session stood out through its honesty, clarity, and relevance — the presentation delivered by
Ovidiu Popovici, Senior Consultant at P3. His perspective on Agile development challenged conventional thinking and sparked genuine reflection among attendees.
Ovidiu approached the topic of Agile with both respect for its principles and a critical eye for its real-world application. In a tech world where “being Agile” has often become a buzzword, his presentation reminded us to ask deeper questions: Are we truly Agile, or are we just checking boxes in a framework? Are daily stand-ups and sprint rituals helping our teams grow, or are they just routine exercises?
Through practical examples and personal insights, Ovidiu shed light on the
disconnect between Agile theory and practice. He spoke about how Agile methodologies — once intended to empower teams and deliver value faster — can sometimes become bottlenecks when applied rigidly. Rather than driving innovation and collaboration, they may evolve into a system of control or even fear, where the focus shifts from product value to process metrics.
One of the key messages that resonated with many in the room was the need to return to the
essence of Agile: adaptability, communication, and delivering working software that matters. Ovidiu encouraged teams to stop treating Agile as a fixed structure and instead treat it as a toolbox — using what fits their context, discarding what doesn’t, and never losing sight of the end goal: creating meaningful digital products.
His honest take on the day-to-day challenges faced by software teams added authenticity to his message. He didn’t shy away from mentioning the irony that sometimes the most Agile thing a team can do is to step away from Agile ceremonies and ask, “What really brings value to our customer this week?”
As a consultant with hands-on experience in product development and process management, Ovidiu’s insights were grounded in real scenarios — not just theory. He brought to light how agility must be more about
thinking and adapting than following set rituals. His talk sparked conversations afterward among attendees who were eager to reflect on their own team dynamics and methodologies.
In a time when many companies claim to be Agile without truly embracing its spirit, Ovidiu Popovici’s message felt timely and necessary. His talk reminded us that true agility comes from within the team — from trust, ownership, clarity, and a shared commitment to solving real problems.
For those of us who have worked in or around Agile environments, his words were both a reality check and a motivational boost. They encouraged us to rethink our processes not just to be Agile by the book, but to be
effective,
collaborative, and
value-driven.To conclude the event, all the speakers were invited back on stage for a relaxed, open discussion about their day-to-day roles and how
AI is becoming a real part of their professional activity. Each brought a unique perspective — from integrating AI into UX processes, to using machine learning in design systems, or streamlining development workflows.
It was refreshing to hear how AI is not just a distant concept or a trend, but already a practical tool being integrated into their work environments. The exchange was honest and inspiring, offering us a glimpse into how top professionals across various industries are adapting, experimenting, and learning to collaborate with intelligent tools — not to replace creativity or logic, but to enhance it.
This closing conversation wrapped up the event beautifully, reminding us once again that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives in shared knowledge, curiosity, and the courage to question what we do — even when it comes to widely accepted processes like Agile or the rapid rise of AI.
