Beyond the Buzzwords: agile collaboration and rejecting a perfectionist mindset (how we did it, and you can too!)

This presentation details Princeton University Library's shift in software design and cross-departmental collaboration to enhance the long-term stewardship of research data and scholarly publications. The transition involved moving away from legacy, monolithic systems toward a more flexible and scalable approach. Rather than merely replacing old software with newer systems, the team took a step back to evaluate the underlying organizational needs, user requirements, and the evolving role of software, as well as how to build strong relationships and communication patterns within teams and with stakeholders. This process required continuous work to strengthen ongoing collaborations, manage expectations, and foster mutual understanding across diverse professional backgrounds and departments across the institution. With an emphasis on learning from the past, supporting innovation, and building a sustainable, user-centric infrastructure for the future, we will share the successes and lessons learned from the iterative, collaborative approach we took, we will also share insights for other organizations that may be facing similar challenges.