Adopt vs Adapt: Cut Power Platform Technical Debt

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  A practical rethink of how teams use Power Platform and Dynamics 365 to reduce technical debt, improve governance, and build sustainable solutions. The discussion centres on shifting from tech-first thinking to business outcomes, balancing low-code and pro-code principles, and preparing for AI and Copilot. The key insight is that long-term success comes from disciplined governance, reuse, and choosing when to adopt versus adapt.  👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/833 🎙️ What you’ll learn    • Shift from technology-first to outcome-first solution design  • Decide when to adopt vs adapt to reduce complexity  • Apply coding principles inside low-code environments  • Manage technical debt through governance and architecture  • Evaluate where AI and Copilot add real value today  👉 Chapters • 0:00 From Pro-Code to Low-Code: What Carries Over • 4:02 Why “Adopt vs Adapt” Changes Everything • 6:56 The Hidden Cost of Technical Debt in Power Platform • 7:02 Governance Done Right: Security, Cost, Scale • 14:02 Applying SDLC Thinking in Low-Code Environments • 19:55 Copilot Reality Check: Where AI Actually Helps Today • 24:12 Power FX and the Future of Reusable Logic ✅ Find James Online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-holland-hart/ Personal blog or website: https://www.hollandhart.uk/ 🔴 Highlights  • "taking a step back and looking at business need and use a process rather than technology first."  • "a term we're using in the department more and more is kind of adopt versus adapt."  • "the more you’re restricting yourself off from these possibilities."  • "it's treating it as a tool, a set of tools we can use rather than the default."  • "governance to me means more preventative."  • "it's really difficult to then stay on top of things like the Wave releases."  • "it’s more a matter of time than anything."  • "it's not the same thing as code, but it's not meant to be."  • "there's still a level of maturity that we need to get to."  • "what does Power Platform mean really and what is it there for?"   🧰 Mentioned  • Power Virtual Agents (now part of Copilot Studio): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/copilot-studio/microsoft-power-virtual-agents-now-part-of-microsoft-copilot-studio/  • AI Builder: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ai-builder/overview  • Copilot: https://copilot.microsoft.com/  Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoption 🔴 Subscribe for all the latest Microsoft Power Platform News: https://www.youtube.com/nz365guy?sub_confirmation=1 🔴 Share this video with a Youtuber friend: https://youtu.be/yWF492HAkXg ✅ Recommended Playlist: Hear the latest from Senior Microsoft Staff 👉 Power 365 Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqyy0tYMOozNcXsEdVn4sqh 👉 Copilot Show - https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PLzf0yupPbVkqPyRqPii192UiJuT-SQHw-/videos ✅ All our Microsoft Innovation Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkoEIfkNYZ0dModTR5aLbRh3 ✅ Let’s Connect: Collaborate with me here – https://cloverbase.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/nz365guy Website: http://www.nz365guy.com/subscribe LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy X – https://twitter.com/nz365guy Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nz365guy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nz365guy Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.nz/nz365guy I’m Mark Smith - nz365guy - Helping people reach their full potential I have been a Microsoft Business Applications MVP for over 14 years. I am passionate about helping people reach their full potential, through training, coaching and mentorship. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge (https://www.90daymc.com/) Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nz365guy) If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy). Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith