Often times the projects we work on hit rough spots, snags, and even end up in crisis mode. Challenges can come in the form of clients who are tough to deal with, organizational politics, or strife within our own teams. As managers (or leads) of design and product teams we are often looked to for clarity, support and resolution when things go sideways. How do we work through these scenarios as leaders, while managing the expectations of our teams and business partners and keeping things moving forward despite the various challenges that we face? In this talk you will learn tips and techniques for managing through the ups and downs of the design process, including: Managing stakeholders Managing expectations of stakeholders, customers, support/sales/account teams, and even designers. The value of building team consensus before things go into fire drill mode. Managing your team The design manager’s role/deliverable in today’s design process (shipping is just the beginning). Managing vs. leading and the implications on teams and the challenges we face. Managing the process Finding the sweet spot between sticking to process and remaining flexible. The balance between execution and maintaining principles. Foresight and avoiding blind spots. Learning what went sideways and how to address it for next time.

1. Hold Fast
Managing design teams when projects go sideways.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

2. “Technology companies are expected
to move at an incredible pace, and
building software is complex”
- Alex Schleifer - VP of Design at Airbnb
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

3. These companies are complex for
a variety of reasons…
Departmental make up.
Internal politics.
Team distribution.
Understanding of design’s role.
Limited budget and lofty goals.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

4. Once we start to understand these contexts better,
we can start to get an idea of what warning signs
to look for before, during, and after projects.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

5. Shipping is just the beginning.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

6. Almost every problem we run into with projects
can be traced back to communication issues
with our cross functional teams about the
projects and processes that surround them.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

7. Managing The Process
Managing Stakeholders
Managing Your Team
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

8. Start by Striving for Transparency
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

9. Take responsibility for areas where you or
your team may have missed the mark.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

10. Avoid un-necessary conflict with teams and
team members, you can call things as you see
them while still moving towards a positive
resolution.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

11. Admit when you don’t have an answer.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

12. Managing Stakeholders
& Business Partners
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

13. We need to build trust
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

14. Focusing on other people instead of
solution to the problem at hand, only
leads to additional conflict and away
from a problem’s resolution.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

15. Managing your team
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

16. Every experience, good or bad, our teams face will
change them.
No team comes out of any experience the same.This is ok
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

17. Observation is such an important part of our
design process, but it is often overlooked as
an important part of how we manage and
support our teams.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

18. It is not enough to just manage our teams during
challenging project situations, if we want to be
successful, and more importantly, help our teams be
successful we need to lead.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

19. Managing the process
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

20. Having an agreed upon process in place will provide
a starting point for trouble shooting what caused
a project to go off the rails.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

21. Be prepared to ditch your process if needed.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

22. Remaining flexible is the key to
weathering project storms.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

23. “Everyone has a plan until they get punched
in the face.”
~ Mike Tyson - Washed up boxer, eater of ears
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

24. Have a Plan B, even a Plan C, that
will help the team work through
the situation for the needed solution.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

25. The needed solution might not be the
the ideal solution.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

26. There is what’s ideal and there is what’s real.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

27. Some things to keep in mind
No two projects are alike.
Do everything you can to avoid blind spots.
Use project kick offs, sprint planning, team retros to
inform your strategy for projects moving forward.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

28. Stay the course…
Remain flexible…
Remember that leading nets more results
than just managing situations and people.
We can’t control everything that
comes our way.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- @aaroni | Dir of UX - Nasdaq Product Design #holdfast #dpm2016

29. Thank you.
Aaron “Ron” Irizarry- Dir of UX - Nasdaq
@aaroni
aaron@thisisaaronslife.com
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