Summary
Change is the rule, not the exception, and it’s the catalyst for innovation and growth. Design as a discipline is rooted in the process of iteration and change. However, scaling design requires a certain level of preparation in the system for it to be understood, absorbed, and implemented. This process manifests itself in and through Design Operations. In this session, Alison and Jacqui will lead the audience through some interactive exercises to better understand change and outline how DesignOps can help their design orgs navigate ambiguity.
Key Insights
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Acknowledging and sharing failure can foster a supportive community.
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Change management requires careful orchestration and collaboration across the organization.
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Effective design operations are not just about design; they involve understanding the entire ecosystem.
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Building trust is crucial for effective change management.
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Communicating change effectively can facilitate acceptance within teams.
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Start with small foundational changes to create momentum.
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Design change takes time and involves continuous iteration and adjustment.
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Empathy and understanding of others' perspectives can enhance change efforts.
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Design leaders must be adaptable and ready to face surprises during change initiatives.
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Change is inherently a collective experience that necessitates a shared sense of purpose.
Notable Quotes
"You'll often enjoy success stories at conferences, but we need to get real about failure."
"I thought I could single-handedly bring design thinking to my organization and quickly learned I couldn't."
"Change is a process by design, and we need to acknowledge that it’s not always linear."
"You will have zero successes if you're not trying at all."
"Acknowledge the high risk of failure at your specific organization."
"I never thought I could visualize where everyone was working, and it built trust."
"It's a delicate dance to strike the right balance of managing change."
"Remember that design ops is not just about design."
"The path to change often requires you to go back and adjust your plans."
"Moving forward in organizations involves listening to understand before expecting acceptance."
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