Job architecture redesign: two experts, same warning

Over the past two episodes, I've had two incredibly sharp conversations. One with Trish Steed, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of H3 HR Advisors. One with Dennis Di Lorenzo, Director of Skilling Strategy at Micron.

They hit the same nerve. From two very different angles.

Trish comes from years of research, strategy, and advising global CHROs. Dennis brings decades in higher ed. He now leads skilling strategy for one of the most AI-forward companies in the world.

Without planning it, they both said the same thing:

Workforce strategy is stuck in outdated structures. Unless we rebuild the infrastructure of work itself, no amount of upskilling will help.

From broken job architectures to the misuse of AI. From L&D programs that lag behind business needs to the total mismatch between workforce priorities and CEO pressure. This was the week we connected the dots.

Here's what I heard from both of them. These two episodes are essential listening for anyone building an AI-ready workforce.

Common threads between Trish and Dennis

1. Workforce strategy must shift from support to strategy

Trish: "Workforce leaders need to stop seeing themselves as service providers. They need to think like strategic operators."

Dennis: "We designed systems for talent processes. Not for the business."

Takeaway: Both warned that unless workforce strategy reframes its purpose, it risks irrelevance in the AI-powered enterprise.

2. Job architectures are broken

Trish: Called out the limitations of static role structures and legacy systems. They get in the way of agility.

Dennis: "Job architectures are a 1980s construct. Built for compensation, not for work."

From Job Architecture to Work Architecture.

Takeaway: You can't redesign work or implement AI meaningfully without rethinking the foundational structure. Jobs, roles, and tasks all need to change.

3. Skills alone aren't enough

Trish: Emphasized that skills-based models are no longer enough. What matters is aligning capability to business need.

Dennis: "Skills are just a placeholder for capability."

Takeaway: Skills are only useful when you know what work needs to be done. And whether your people can do it now.

4. AI isn't the future. It's now.

Trish: Warned that workforce leaders are underestimating how fast AI is reshaping work.

Dennis: "AI isn't just an addition. It's a business engine. If you don't adapt, you'll be obsolete."

Every enterprise is deploying AI. Almost none can see the work they're deploying it into.

Takeaway: AI is already changing how work gets done. Leaders need to be redesigning now. Not waiting 3 years.

5. The importance of data and infrastructure

Trish: Talked about the need for stronger Work Intelligence and usable data.

Dennis: "You can't reengineer your workforce without data on what people actually do."

Takeaway: Redesign without a task-level data layer is just guesswork. You need real-time visibility into work. Only then can you make strategic decisions.

Catch up on both episodes

• Dennis Di Lorenzo on how outdated job architectures hold back workforce reinvention
• 5 bold takes from Trish Steed on leading AI adoption

Let's be honest. Workforce strategy doesn't need more programs. It needs a system upgrade. If you're ready to stop talking skills and start reengineering work, let's talk.

Book a demo

Siobhan 💜