What Works, and What Doesn’t, in Network Automation Projects
•February 11, 2026
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Why It Matters
Because aligning network automation with business goals and managing delivery friction determines whether enterprises capture the promised efficiency gains and ROI.
Key Takeaways
- •Align automation goals with business outcomes, not just technical details
- •Project delivery orchestrates teams, breaks silos, and manages expectations
- •‘Hurry‑up‑and‑wait’ cycles frustrate engineers and delay migrations significantly
- •Startup experience builds versatile skills valuable for large‑scale automation
- •Continuous ‘reps’ and incremental improvements accelerate automation success
Summary
The Network Automation Nerds podcast episode features host Eric Cho and senior engagement manager Matt Rimkkey of Network to Code, discussing real‑world network automation projects and the bridge between technical execution and business objectives.
Rimkkey explains his role as a “project delivery orchestrator,” emphasizing the need to translate engineering details into business‑focused results, break down silos, and maintain risk‑aware timelines. He draws on a varied background—from early‑stage startups like Art.com to operations roles—highlighting how process‑fixing instincts translate to large‑scale automation initiatives.
A vivid example is a recent migration of a legacy on‑prem application to a cloud‑based version for a major client. The design phase consumed four months of approvals, followed by six months of “hurry‑up‑and‑wait” migration work, leaving engineers frustrated despite the eventual success. Notable quotes include, “They don’t care about VLANs; they care about delivering business results,” and the analogy that “reps matter just like in athletics.”
The discussion underscores that successful automation hinges on clear communication, realistic scheduling, and continuous incremental improvements. Enterprises that align technical delivery with business metrics and adopt a disciplined, iterative approach are more likely to achieve measurable ROI and avoid costly delays.
Original Description
Today we are joined by Matt Remke, who has spent years in the trenches of network automation projects as a consultant. Matt offers a unique, non-engineer perspective on scaling network automation in real-world, complex environments for some of the world's largest companies. Matt shares what worked, what backfired, and the hard-earned lessons he has gained from his work.
AdSpot Sponsor: Itential
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Links:
NAN Episode 83 with Cox Communications - https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-automation-nerds/nan083-cox-gets-network-automation-right-and-proves-it-at-def-con-sponsored/
Network to Code - https://networktocode.com/
Network Automation Nerds is part of the Packet Pushers network. Visit our website to find more great networking and technology podcasts, along with tutorial videos, the Human Infrastructure newsletter, and loads more resources for building your IT career. https://packetpushers.net
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