James Burchill
Founder, Driftinel.com | Systems Architect & CTO | Bestselling Author
I build software and business systems, and write about the decisions that shape them. My work connects technology, practical judgment, and the way organizations keep their promises.
I’m the founder of Driftinel, a managed service in development to help business owners keep their promises and catch problems early. I also serve as CTO at Tooljar and Principal & Systems Architect at JMG.
New · A free illustrated fable
The Blind
Squirrel Method
An acorn. An accident. A very convincing method.
When Pip’s lucky find becomes a system for success, his friend Hazel starts asking questions. A woodland fable about luck, skill and the stories we sell.
Discover the book & get the free PDF27 illustrated pages. Free to read and share. No signup.
Work and writing
The Vault
My essays, field notes, and practical resources on software architecture, AI, business, and judgment. Explore a reading path or browse the archive.
Driftinel
I founded Driftinel to help business owners spot missed commitments and emerging problems, with notifications and supporting evidence from the business channels they choose. In development.
Because Drift Happens
My systems work on drift: how businesses and software move away from their original intent, and how to recognize and respond. Explore the concepts, patterns, and examples.
About
My career spans nearly four decades across software engineering, entrepreneurship, publishing, and teaching. I’ve founded companies, led engineering teams, built software platforms, and written three bestselling books. I’ve also taught at Sheridan College and McMaster University.
I enjoy understanding how things work, making them better, and sharing what I learn. A recurring interest across my work is how businesses and their systems change over time—and how we keep them connected to what they were meant to achieve.
Contact
For questions about my writing or current projects, email me. Include the book, article, or project you’re referring to so I have the context.