#SparkboxUnConf Your Building Problem

Staying in Sync Five remedies to address your project team’s communication gaps Jeremy Loyd | Creative Director

The Problem: As the build progresses, decisions are made 
 that don’t align with the proposed UX vision.

Identify 
 the gaps. ‣ Ask a lot of questions, interview team members ‣ At what point(s) in the project is the team’s communication failing? ‣ What is causing the gaps in communication? ‣ What tendencies does your team have based on how 
 you work? Remedy #1

IDENTIFY THE GAPS How does your team work? Company Model ‣ Agency or in-house? Design Team Structure ‣ Centralized, decentralized, 
 or hybrid? Project Methodology ‣ Agile, waterfall, hybrid, other? Pricing Model ‣ Hourly, sprint, project, value?

IDENTIFY THE GAPS Example: Agency X Agency Model Centralized Design Team Waterfall Project Methodology Hourly Pricing Project Timeline UX/Design Development Designers leave project after design phase is complete ‣ Designers need to start another project ‣ Design budget is used up Causes:

Fill the gaps. ‣ Identify actions you and your team can take to address 
 the issues. ‣ Prioritize actions. Remedy #2

FILL THE GAPS Example: Agency X Agency Model Centralized Design Team Waterfall Project Methodology Hourly Pricing Project Timeline UX/Design Development Designers leave project after design phase is complete

FILL THE GAPS Example: Agency X Agency Model Centralized Design Team Waterfall Project Methodology Hourly Pricing ‣ Allow fl exibility in designers’ schedules ‣ Increase hourly budget Actions: Involve developers earlier in project Keep designers involved through project UX/Design Development

RESOURCES https://www.invisionapp.com/enterprise/design-genome

Be proactive, not reactive. ‣ Anticipate development needs ‣ Add documentation and have conversations around why UX/ design choices were made ‣ Incorporate regular design reviews during the build ‣ Join regular demos and/or planning meetings throughout the project Remedy #3

YOUR BUILDING PROBLEM

Meet halfway. ‣ Be available ‣ Be humble ‣ Make the e ff ort to understand your other team members’ pain points (empathy!) ‣ Learn a little HTML/CSS Remedy #4

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Embrace a culture of collaboration. ‣ Invite developers into early discussions, UX and design processes, and critiques ‣ Ask for and value opinions 
 of all team members ‣ Invite the project team into your Figma fi le ‣ Help build an understanding of UX and design principles Remedy #5

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Five remedies for addressing your team’s communication gaps. ‣ Identify the gaps ‣ Fill the gaps ‣ Be proactive, not reactive ‣ Meet halfway ‣ Embrace a culture 
 of collaboration To Summarize: