Welcome to our ‘Meet the People Behind the Software’ series, where we introduce the diverse experiences and insights of our talented staff members at Elementz. Kicking it off with Jason Brown, whose journey from Mechanical Engineering to software development has been driven by a passion for innovation. With a background rooted in global Oil & Gas operations, Jason brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and technological insight to Elementz.
Learn more about our CEO’s unique perspective and contributions to the subsea asset integrity industry in the Q&A below.
Can you describe your background and how it led you to a career in software development?
I began my professional journey as a Mechanical Engineer, working in global positions that encompassed designing, commissioning, operating and maintaining both upstream and downstream Oil & Gas facilities. This experience provided me with a robust groundwork in engineering fundamentals, honing my problem-solving abilities, technical proficiency, and comprehension of complex systems. With direct engagement with various Project Management and Engineering Software Applications, I developed a keen interest in enhancing processes and seeking more efficient solutions that could elevate daily operations. This natural progression towards software development stemmed from a desire to innovate and optimise tasks for heightened productivity and effectiveness.
How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team?
As we encourage hybrid working at Elementz we prioritise a culture of openness and inclusivity, where every team member feels valued and heard. We implement structured communication channels such as cross-functional daily standups, weekly meetings and prioritisation sessions. These forums provide opportunities for team members from diverse disciplines to share insights, align on objectives and address any challenges collaboratively.
Additionally, we utilise modern collaborative tools, systems and platforms to facilitate real-time communication and information sharing, ensuring everyone is on the same page and can contribute effectively, regardless of their location.
We also invest in team-building activities and a very active social calendar which strengthens the interpersonal relationships and trust within the team.
Can you describe your approach to managing multiple projects simultaneously?
Our delivery is rooted in the concept of stream-aligned teams and our overall organisational design, which is aimed at optimising the flow of work and, in turn, delivery across multiple workfaces. Our teams are structured around the end-to-end delivery of specific streams of work, such as a particular product feature set, integration, or customer journey like build and data onboarding, rather than traditional project teams. This focus allows us to deliver in a scalable, repeatable manner in a one-to-many model while reducing dependencies and bottlenecks. The result is a faster, more efficient delivery to customers.
In Elementz, stream-aligned teams possess a diverse set of skills required to deliver the complete value stream from inception to production. This multidisciplinary approach includes roles such as developers, testers, designers, and operations personnel, all collaborating closely within the same team to ensure robust asset integrity management.
The autonomy and ownership of the entire stream empower these teams to make data-driven decisions quickly and respond to changes or issues more effectively. By focusing on a specific stream, the team can deeply understand its domain, align its efforts with business goals, and continuously improve processes and outcomes.
What emerging technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on subsea asset integrity software in the next 5-10 years?
Subsea production systems present significant challenges due to their complexity and difficult access, requiring specialised technology and skilled personnel, which makes inspection costly. Advancements in autonomous vehicles, AI, and Digital Twin technology are already improving inspection and data collection. These innovations are transforming subsea asset management by improving visualisation, predictive capabilities, and operational workflows, ultimately reducing risks and optimising operations.
Who is Jason outside of work?
Social, fun loving, a frustrated musician and a constant nuisance to my wife and kids.
If you could create a piece of software that could do anything for you, what would you do with it?
My dream would be to invent software that can write and negotiate Oil and Gas contracts from the initial Request for Information (RFI), through clarifications, to sign-off and agreement of terms and conditions (T&Cs). That would be something- imagine a human against AI, or even two AIs negotiating with each other. I’d like to think that as a software company, Elementz AI has a few tricks up its sleeve.
