ABOUT US

Smartware Advisors helps founders, investors, and corporate innovation leaders eliminate execution risk by restoring Product Clarity—the discipline of aligning vision, requirements, decisions, and execution so teams can move forward with confidence.

Most product initiatives don’t fail because of a lack of effort or talent. They fail because complexity accumulates faster than clarity. Requirements conflict, scope drifts, decisions slow, and teams lose a shared understanding of what matters most.

Smartware Advisors exists to correct that—through deliberate, structured actions that surface root causes early and turn uncertainty into clear, executable direction.

Product Clarity is not brainstorming, mentoring, or generic consulting.

It is the ability to clearly and confidently answer:

• What exactly are we building—and what are we not building?
  
• How do customer needs translate into concrete product requirements?
  
• Where is execution leaking time, money, or momentum?
  
• Which decisions are blocking progress—and who must make them?
  
• What is the 90-day plan that restores predictable execution?
  

When these answers are explicit and aligned, teams accelerate.
When they are not, even strong teams stall.

We achieve Product Clarity through a structured system, not opinion.

Diagnose

We begin by breaking down complex product and execution problems into logical groupings, identifying root causes, and exposing misalignment between requirements, architecture, decisions, and execution.

As one former executive leader described:

“He immediately broke down the numerous issues into logical groupings and set up detailed reviews that drove the organization to focus and commit resources to the issues that would result in the highest improvements.”
— Dennis Dougherty, International CEO, Board Member, Board Advisor

Realign and Stabilize

We help teams translate complex customer needs into clear product requirements, lock scope, and create shared understanding across leadership and engineering.

“His years of experience bringing new-to-the-world products to life provide founders with great insight into the product development process, especially when it comes to translating complex customer needs into product requirements.”
— Phillip Swanson, Early-Stage Venture & HardTech Investor

Execute With Discipline

We establish decision clarity, accountability, and execution discipline—so progress becomes predictable rather than reactive.

“He has a rare ability to take very complex programs and organize them into actionable items where you can have direct accountability for execution.”
— Mo Wazir, Product Development & Strategy Leader

Founders

Founders working through early technical gates, scaling complexity, or execution stalls who need an independent, experienced perspective.

“With Waqar’s expert assistance, we were able to create a full and balanced model that allows for our system’s design intent to be analytically described.”
— Daniel Hodges, Founder & CEO, Meknology (Techstars 2024)

Investors

Investors seeking clarity on execution risk, technical feasibility, and leadership capability—before or after capital deployment.

“His technical skills, business acumen, and customer mindset brought value to multiple vehicle programs and businesses.”
— Edward T. Hightower, CEO, EV OEM | Public Board Director

Corporate Innovation Leaders

Leaders responsible for complex, cross-functional programs who need calm, credible leadership under pressure.

“Waqar brings calm to chaotic meetings. He highlights everyone’s main talking points and offers a balanced proposal for everyone to study.” — Carl Corman, Chief Architect, General Motors

Smartware Advisors operates at the intersection of engineering first principles, business reality, and human leadership.

Across startups, accelerators, and global OEM environments, Waqar Hashim is consistently recognized for:

• Quickly identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions
  
• Balancing customer requirements, technical solutions, and business impact
  
• Making “quick and calculated decisions in all phases of product development and launch”
  
• Remaining calm and methodical under pressure
  

“He quickly identifies root cause and implements corrective actions in a timely manner.”
— Amir Sewani, MS, MBA, Senior Product Development & Manufacturing Executive

“Waqar is calm under pressure… one of the most critical leadership skills one can bring to any organization.”
— Dr. Donna L. Bell, CEO & Board Member

Waqar Hashim is the Founder of Smartware Advisors and a product and engineering leader with decades of experience guiding complex products from concept through launch.

He is known for combining deep technical rigor with clear decision frameworks and high-trust leadership.

“He has an outstanding grasp of engineering first principles and the unique ability to look at the small details while maintaining the big picture objectives.”
— Carl Corman, Chief Architect, General Motors

“His character and personal integrity is his biggest asset, and people want to work with him.”
— Mo Wazir, Product Development & Strategy Leader

Throughout his career, Waqar has led struggling programs to recovery, guided early-stage founders through uncertainty, and earned trust in high-stakes environments by listening carefully, thinking methodically, and acting decisively.

“He steps up to resolve complex issues, reads situations quickly, and gets to the core of the issue.”
— Mary Jenkins, General Motors (Retired)

Organizations working with Smartware Advisors commonly report:

• Clearer product direction and shared understanding
  
• Reduced rework and fewer late-stage surprises
  
• Faster, more confident decision-making
  
• Improved execution predictability
  
• Stronger trust across teams and stakeholders
  

“You can get results and still balance a driven spirit with a professional style that enhances teamwork.” — Dennis Dougherty, International CEO & Board Advisor