My First 90 Days as a Solutions Consultant: The Shift from WHAT to WHY

I made the transition from low-code developer to Solutions Consultant at Pega around 90 days ago.

As a developer, I was asked WHAT to build. Requirements came down, tickets were made and completed, code was shipped, and I moved onto the next sprint.

An SC role is fundamentally different. And it took in-person training, shadowing my team across multiple accounts, and working new opportunities to understand why.

Learning Pega. Learning Clients.

The first 30 days were intense. In-person training was designed to give me breadth across the platform—case management, decision management, AI/ML capabilities, reporting, process intelligence. I went from being deep in one area to understanding the whole landscape.

But here’s what I didn’t expect: understanding the full platform doesn’t automatically tell you which parts matter to this client.

The Gift of a Good Team

Something I did not expect when I took this job, and what’s made all the difference—is how positive and supportive my team has been through this learning process. Asking “why” isn’t intimidating; it’s collaborative. When I don’t know something, I ask. When I make a mistake in approach, they course-correct me without making me feel dumb.

The casual group chat culture especially has been a revelation. It’s relaxed, genuine, and honest. People ask questions without ego. They share what worked and what didn’t. There’s no gatekeeping, no “you should already know this.”

That environment has made me comfortable asking dumb questions. It’s made me willing to learn in public instead of trying to figure everything out on my own.

That’s huge for someone transitioning into a new role. You’re not just learning Pega’s breadth or client dynamics—you’re learning in a community that actually wants you to succeed.

How My Mindset Has Changed

The in-person training taught me what Pega can do. Shadowing real accounts taught me what Pega should do for different clients.

It’s changed how I should approach client interactions too. Instead of jumping to “here’s how we configure case types,” I’m asking questions first. What are you trying to achieve? Why is this a priority now? What’s already frustrated you in your current system?

Those answers tell me whether I’m talking to someone who understands their own problem or someone who’s latched onto a solution.

The Learning Curve

In full honesty, I’m still learning what the answers to WHY actually are. The in-person training gave me the platform knowledge, but no training can teach you how to translate “we have a 6-week case backlog” into “they need workflow automation, intelligent routing, and probably some process intelligence” into “here’s the Pega configuration that solves it.”

After 90 days of in-person training, shadowing, real opportunities, and being part of a genuinely supportive team, I’m learning more about Pega’s capabilities, but more importantly, I am getting better at asking the right questions - asking the WHY.

What Advice Would You Give a New SC?

I’m curious…if you’re an experienced Solutions Consultant at Pega, what would you have told me on day one? What did you wish you’d known in your first 90 days?

I’m still learning—both Pega and how to be an effective partner for our clients. Would love to hear from the community.

What a thoughtful and insightful post @SofiaB17691697! Asking this question “WHY” really is how we shift Pega and the Solutions Consulting role to strategic advisor and the way to bridge the business with the technical. As someone new to Pega as well, I’m also keen to hear the advise for new SC’s.

@sb110161 @so110045 One piece of advice I’d offer is to remember that you’re not expected to know everything, especially when you’re new. It takes time to build a foundation across industries, products, and lines of business, so give yourself some grace as you learn.

Be curious. Listen carefully, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Sit in on calls, observe how experienced SCs engage with customers, and don’t be afraid to follow up afterward with questions about what you heard. Ask other SCs how they handle situations when they don’t know an answer, or when they’re suddenly pulled into a discussion about an industry, product, or business area they aren’t familiar with.

Keep up with training, seek out opportunities to tag team with others, and lean into the expertise around you. One of the greatest strengths of our organization is our willingness to collaborate and help each other succeed. We all have different strengths and areas of expertise, and none of us can be experts in everything. Together, though, we provide the best support and guidance for our clients.

One thing that has continually impressed me about Pega is the people. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve reached out on Teams to someone I’ve never met before, looking for help or guidance. Without fail, people have been willing to jump in, answer questions, share their expertise, or point me to the right person. Don’t be afraid to leverage that network. The SC community is incredibly supportive, and sometimes knowing who to ask is just as important as knowing the answer yourself.

Most importantly, remember that this isn’t a solo sport. We succeed as a team. Lean on others, share what you learn, and over time you’ll find yourself becoming one of the people that newer SCs turn to for advice

Hearty Wishes for transitioning to new role! @sb110161