Solving Siloed Design and Development Teams
A fast-growing SaaS company approached us with a significant challenge: their design and development teams were operating in silos. This disconnect led to inefficiencies, conflicting priorities, and inconsistent user experiences across their product line. Each team used separate tools, processes, and communication channels, resulting in a lack of collaboration. The development team frequently had to rework designs that weren’t technically feasible, while the design team struggled to keep up with changes made during development.
Solution: Establishing Cross-Functional Teams
We restructured the organization to form cross-functional teams that included both designers and developers. This integration naturally improved communication and clarified shared goals.
UX designers were involved from the project’s outset to ensure that user experience considerations were integrated into every stage.
We introduced design thinking and conducted brainstorming sessions to foster a culture of collaborative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
Solution: Using Shared Tools and Systems
We introduced a unified design system accessible to both teams. This ensured consistency in design elements and reduced unnecessary back-and-forth on minor changes.
We implemented a shared project management platform, Jira, to manage the UX project, enabling both teams to track progress, document decisions, and proactively identify potential roadblocks early on.
Design tools like Figma and Zeplin were implemented to allow real-time collaboration between designers and developers.
Solution: Improving Communication Channels
Regular cross-functional stand-up meetings, sprint planning, and retrospectives were scheduled to align priorities and foster open communication.
We established dedicated Slack channels for immediate interactions between design and development teams, enabling quick resolutions without waiting for formal meetings.
UX designers were integrated into Scrum processes, participating as support roles to ensure continuous user-centric focus.
Solution: Creating a Design System
A centralized repository of reusable design components and development-ready code was created. This ensured that both teams were “speaking the same language.”
Components included built-in code snippets, reducing misalignment between design intent and implementation.
Solution: Implementing Dual-Track Agile Processes
A dual-track agile approach was adopted, allowing design work to stay slightly ahead of development. This provided time for thorough exploration of design solutions before implementation.
Designers and developers worked on separate tracks but collaborated continuously through regular check-ins.
Solution: Establishing Regular Feedback Loops
Assign UX designers as support roles within SCRUM teams to maintain a continuous user-centric focus.
Designers participated in sprint reviews, and developers were involved during the design phase. This improved the quality of output and ensured technical challenges were considered early.
Regular feedback sessions were scheduled for teams to discuss project status, user feedback, and potential improvements.
Solution: Implementing Ticketing Systems
We introduced ticketing systems to manage requests and track issues, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Tickets were used to prioritize tasks and ensure that both teams were aligned on what needed to be addressed first.
