Werner Heijstek

Werner Heijstek

Senior Delivery Director, Benelux CE

Helping organizations govern the software their business runs on by enabling control of software cost, risk & speed in the AI era | Business–IT alignment | Host of the SIGNAL podcast | Senior Director at Software Improvement Group.

About Werner Heijstek

Software determines speed, resilience, and ROI, yet many organizations still treat it as a black box.

I enable organizations to govern the software that powers their business, particularly when the stakes are high, such as during AI adoption, modernization efforts, security challenges, technical debt issues, or mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

I am a software development, IT management, and governance expert with a Ph.D. and over 20 years of experience in complex, distributed software environments. I have advised more than 100 organizations globally on digital transformation and IT strategy, particularly in critical moments that require swift clarity, including M&A and private equity-driven IT due diligence.

Here are the main topics I focus on:

  • Governing AI code and AI systems at scale while maintaining control and speed
  • Addressing technical debt as a business constraint, impacting cost, roadmap, and delivery speed
  • Ensuring software security and compliance
  • Evaluating software portfolio value and conducting IT due diligence for M&A and private equity

I have spent over 10 years in pre-sales and leading large consulting engagements, alongside more than 7 years managing teams of consultants, IT experts, and commercial professionals. I enjoy coaching individuals, developing repeatable consulting “products,” and aligning various initiatives to help organizations accelerate their progress responsibly.

I host SIGNAL, a monthly podcast where we turn complex IT topics into business clarity. Additionally, I am a lecturer at Leiden University, where I teach and have developed a variety of courses at both the bachelor and master levels, including Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Global Software Development, Enterprise Architecture, and Research Methodology.

If you want practical perspectives on governing software in the AI era follow me. And if you’re navigating AI, modernization, or M&A, feel free to connect.

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