Analyzis

Analyzis

Analyzis

Collaboration

Collaboration

Collaboration

Processes

Processes

Processes

Bootstrapping DesignOps

Bootstrapping DesignOps

Bootstrapping DesignOps

Bootstrapping DesignOps

Bootstrapping DesignOps

Bootstrapping DesignOps

At ZF-SCALAR I grew the design maturity of the company by introducing a DesignOps mindset and experimentation. I did that by leading initiatives to develop our people, product, and process. Nurturing a team of 26 high-performing designers, I helped leading our transportation orchestration portfolio vision and strategy across 44 cross-functional teams touching 1 in 4 cargo truck in the EU.

At ZF-SCALAR I grew the design maturity of the company by introducing a DesignOps mindset and experimentation. I did that by leading initiatives to develop our people, product, and process. Nurturing a team of 26 high-performing designers, I helped leading our transportation orchestration portfolio vision and strategy across 44 cross-functional teams touching 1 in 4 cargo truck in the EU.

At ZF-SCALAR I grew the design maturity of the company by introducing a DesignOps mindset and experimentation. I did that by leading initiatives to develop our people, product, and process. Nurturing a team of 26 high-performing designers, I helped leading our transportation orchestration portfolio vision and strategy across 44 cross-functional teams touching 1 in 4 cargo truck in the EU.

At ZF-SCALAR I grew the design maturity of the company by introducing a DesignOps mindset and experimentation. I did that by leading initiatives to develop our people, product, and process. Nurturing a team of 26 high-performing designers, I helped leading our transportation orchestration portfolio vision and strategy across 44 cross-functional teams touching 1 in 4 cargo truck in the EU.

At ZF-SCALAR I grew the design maturity of the company by introducing a DesignOps mindset and experimentation. I did that by leading initiatives to develop our people, product, and process. Nurturing a team of 26 high-performing designers, I helped leading our transportation orchestration portfolio vision and strategy across 44 cross-functional teams touching 1 in 4 cargo truck in the EU.

At ZF-SCALAR I grew the design maturity of the company by introducing a DesignOps mindset and experimentation. I did that by leading initiatives to develop our people, product, and process. Nurturing a team of 26 high-performing designers, I helped leading our transportation orchestration portfolio vision and strategy across 44 cross-functional teams touching 1 in 4 cargo truck in the EU.

6 months

Timeline

UX/UI designer DesignOps person

Role

6 months

Timeline

UX/UI designer DesignOps person

Role

Background

Background

In 2021 ZF-Group has decided to grow its digital portfolio product. Until that point mainly third party providers took advantage of the data generated by the hardware that ZF produced.

After a rapid succession of several acquisitions, SCALAR was born with the auditions goal of leading the transportation orchestration market. A total of 24 designers, embedded in product and solution teams merged their forces into a single incubator (small independent unit within a giant enterprise) close to 700 employees across the globe.

But with growth comes new challenges. When the number of designers grow from a handful to 24, how do you maintain the agility and innovation of a startup while operating at an enterprise level?

In 2021 ZF-Group has decided to grow its digital portfolio product. Until that point mainly third party providers took advantage of the data generated by the hardware that ZF produced.

After a rapid succession of several acquisitions, SCALAR was born with the auditions goal of leading the transportation orchestration market. A total of 24 designers, embedded in product and solution teams merged their forces into a single incubator (small independent unit within a giant enterprise) close to 700 employees across the globe.

But with growth comes new challenges. When the number of designers grow from a handful to 24, how do you maintain the agility and innovation of a startup while operating at an enterprise level?

Challenges

Challenges

1

Diverse cultural background of designers

Some of us came from a design agencies or a startups, others were working in the same team over 7 years. Expectation for quality was not articulated well. Neither who ahs the final word on the designs. Hierarchy and the way of working had a major effect on the outputs. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Diverse cultural background of designers

Some of us came from a design agencies or a startups, others were working in the same team over 7 years. Expectation for quality was not articulated well. Neither who ahs the final word on the designs. Hierarchy and the way of working had a major effect on the outputs. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Diverse cultural background of designers

Some of us came from a design agencies or a startups, others were working in the same team over 7 years. Expectation for quality was not articulated well. Neither who ahs the final word on the designs. Hierarchy and the way of working had a major effect on the outputs. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Diverse cultural background of designers

Some of us came from a design agencies or a startups, others were working in the same team over 7 years. Expectation for quality was not articulated well. Neither who ahs the final word on the designs. Hierarchy and the way of working had a major effect on the outputs. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Diverse cultural background of designers

Some of us came from a design agencies or a startups, others were working in the same team over 7 years. Expectation for quality was not articulated well. Neither who ahs the final word on the designs. Hierarchy and the way of working had a major effect on the outputs. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

2

Not well defined role descriptions

We had a handful of product designers working closely with product managers and solution architects, while UX/UI designers were embedded in product-engineering teams. However the role description for both roles were so vague that neither of these flavor of designers knew who suppose to do what.

2

Not well defined role descriptions

We had a handful of product designers working closely with product managers and solution architects, while UX/UI designers were embedded in product-engineering teams. However the role description for both roles were so vague that neither of these flavor of designers knew who suppose to do what.

2

Not well defined role descriptions

We had a handful of product designers working closely with product managers and solution architects, while UX/UI designers were embedded in product-engineering teams. However the role description for both roles were so vague that neither of these flavor of designers knew who suppose to do what.

2

Not well defined role descriptions

We had a handful of product designers working closely with product managers and solution architects, while UX/UI designers were embedded in product-engineering teams. However the role description for both roles were so vague that neither of these flavor of designers knew who suppose to do what.

2

Not well defined role descriptions

We had a handful of product designers working closely with product managers and solution architects, while UX/UI designers were embedded in product-engineering teams. However the role description for both roles were so vague that neither of these flavor of designers knew who suppose to do what.

3

How to maintain a cohesive user experience?

Merging multiple legacy products into one cohesive platform was not straightforward. Differing team structures, work processes, levels of maturity, and cultures created obstacles. Seemingly our fragmented communication and organizational structures was prevalent in the fractured user experience of our platform.

3

How to maintain a cohesive user experience?

Merging multiple legacy products into one cohesive platform was not straightforward. Differing team structures, work processes, levels of maturity, and cultures created obstacles. Seemingly our fragmented communication and organizational structures was prevalent in the fractured user experience of our platform.

3

How to maintain a cohesive user experience?

Merging multiple legacy products into one cohesive platform was not straightforward. Differing team structures, work processes, levels of maturity, and cultures created obstacles. Seemingly our fragmented communication and organizational structures was prevalent in the fractured user experience of our platform.

3

How to maintain a cohesive user experience?

Merging multiple legacy products into one cohesive platform was not straightforward. Differing team structures, work processes, levels of maturity, and cultures created obstacles. Seemingly our fragmented communication and organizational structures was prevalent in the fractured user experience of our platform.

3

How to maintain a cohesive user experience?

Merging multiple legacy products into one cohesive platform was not straightforward. Differing team structures, work processes, levels of maturity, and cultures created obstacles. Seemingly our fragmented communication and organizational structures was prevalent in the fractured user experience of our platform.

Finding our way

Finding our way

After a particularly frustrating product demo I called for a design task force to analyze and resolve the issue around the fragmented user experience. Through a series of workshops, we conducted a root-cause analysis to uncover why we couldn’t deliver a cohesive cross-module experience. We grouped and prioritized the findings and brainstormed potential solutions.

The result was a comprehensive action plan focusing on these areas:

  • Collaboration and communication

  • Design process

  • Craft

  • Vision

  • Coping with legacy mindset

After a particularly frustrating product demo I called for a design task force to analyze and resolve the issue around the fragmented user experience. Through a series of workshops, we conducted a root-cause analysis to uncover why we couldn’t deliver a cohesive cross-module experience. We grouped and prioritized the findings and brainstormed potential solutions.

The result was a comprehensive action plan focusing on these areas:

  • Collaboration and communication

  • Design process

  • Craft

  • Vision

  • Coping with legacy mindset

A step towards an experience-led future

A step towards an experience-led future

I had a vision to turn our company into an experience-led organization. I saw DesignOps as an important enabler for that path. I wanted to clarify the priorities for DesignOps and see how they contribute to my vision. Inspired by the Theory of Change I came up with a framework which helped me categorize the tasks.

I had a vision to turn our company into an experience-led organization. I saw DesignOps as an important enabler for that path. I wanted to clarify the priorities for DesignOps and see how they contribute to my vision. Inspired by the Theory of Change I came up with a framework which helped me categorize the tasks.

DesignOps vision

DesignOps vision

Radical Vision Statement

Today when designers at SCALAR want to create interfaces and seemless experiences they face unnecessary hurdles. They dig through Figma files, chase down colleagues for context, and piece together past decisions, often relying on guesswork. This is unacceptable because it is inefficient, isolates designers and risks inconsistencies that impact the user experience. We envision a world where desingers have the tools and processes to deliver a unified UX effortlessly—without feeling overwhelmed or constrained in their creativity. We're brining this world about by introducing the DesignOps Experimentation Framework—a system designed to empower designers while ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Radical Vision Statement

Today when designers at SCALAR want to create interfaces and seemless experiences they face unnecessary hurdles. They dig through Figma files, chase down colleagues for context, and piece together past decisions, often relying on guesswork. This is unacceptable because it is inefficient, isolates designers and risks inconsistencies that impact the user experience. We envision a world where desingers have the tools and processes to deliver a unified UX effortlessly—without feeling overwhelmed or constrained in their creativity. We're brining this world about by introducing the DesignOps Experimentation Framework—a system designed to empower designers while ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Radical Vision Statement

Today when designers at SCALAR want to create interfaces and seemless experiences they face unnecessary hurdles. They dig through Figma files, chase down colleagues for context, and piece together past decisions, often relying on guesswork. This is unacceptable because it is inefficient, isolates designers and risks inconsistencies that impact the user experience. We envision a world where desingers have the tools and processes to deliver a unified UX effortlessly—without feeling overwhelmed or constrained in their creativity. We're brining this world about by introducing the DesignOps Experimentation Framework—a system designed to empower designers while ensuring consistency and efficiency.

1

Radical Vision Statement

Today when designers at SCALAR want to create interfaces and seemless experiences they face unnecessary hurdles. They dig through Figma files, chase down colleagues for context, and piece together past decisions, often relying on guesswork. This is unacceptable because it is inefficient, isolates designers and risks inconsistencies that impact the user experience. We envision a world where desingers have the tools and processes to deliver a unified UX effortlessly—without feeling overwhelmed or constrained in their creativity. We're brining this world about by introducing the DesignOps Experimentation Framework—a system designed to empower designers while ensuring consistency and efficiency.

1

Radical Vision Statement

Today when designers at SCALAR want to create interfaces and seemless experiences they face unnecessary hurdles. They dig through Figma files, chase down colleagues for context, and piece together past decisions, often relying on guesswork. This is unacceptable because it is inefficient, isolates designers and risks inconsistencies that impact the user experience. We envision a world where desingers have the tools and processes to deliver a unified UX effortlessly—without feeling overwhelmed or constrained in their creativity. We're brining this world about by introducing the DesignOps Experimentation Framework—a system designed to empower designers while ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Prioritization

Prioritization

Our action plan list was growing over 30 action items. I needed a plan to work on what matters the most and can prove the value of the work.

I adopted a prioritization strategy based on tasks that met three key criteria:

  1. Proven effectiveness (high confidence they would work).

  2. Short-term impact (to demonstrate quick results).

  3. Alignment with my vision of making our organization experience-led and human-centered.

Using this framework, I identified three core areas of focus:

Our action plan list was growing over 30 action items. I needed a plan to work on what matters the most and can prove the value of the work.

I adopted a prioritization strategy based on tasks that met three key criteria:

  1. Proven effectiveness (high confidence they would work).

  2. Short-term impact (to demonstrate quick results).

  3. Alignment with my vision of making our organization experience-led and human-centered.

Using this framework, I identified three core areas of focus:

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

Articulating the company’s vision using the Radical Vision Statement framework. Making the vision more accessible and relatable. Aligning team-level visions with the overarching company vision. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

Articulating the company’s vision using the Radical Vision Statement framework. Making the vision more accessible and relatable. Aligning team-level visions with the overarching company vision. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

Articulating the company’s vision using the Radical Vision Statement framework. Making the vision more accessible and relatable. Aligning team-level visions with the overarching company vision. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

Articulating the company’s vision using the Radical Vision Statement framework. Making the vision more accessible and relatable. Aligning team-level visions with the overarching company vision. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

Articulating the company’s vision using the Radical Vision Statement framework. Making the vision more accessible and relatable. Aligning team-level visions with the overarching company vision. On top of that, from Ireland to India we were sitting in many time-zones, limiting the synchronous interactions' timeframe a lot.

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design and Development

Identifying the best analytics and insights tools. Conducting event storming sessions to pinpoint the most critical steps in the user journey. Implementing UX metrics trees to connect UX changes to business outcomes.

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design and Development

Identifying the best analytics and insights tools. Conducting event storming sessions to pinpoint the most critical steps in the user journey. Implementing UX metrics trees to connect UX changes to business outcomes.

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design and Development

Identifying the best analytics and insights tools. Conducting event storming sessions to pinpoint the most critical steps in the user journey. Implementing UX metrics trees to connect UX changes to business outcomes.

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design and Development

Identifying the best analytics and insights tools. Conducting event storming sessions to pinpoint the most critical steps in the user journey. Implementing UX metrics trees to connect UX changes to business outcomes.

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design and Development

Identifying the best analytics and insights tools. Conducting event storming sessions to pinpoint the most critical steps in the user journey. Implementing UX metrics trees to connect UX changes to business outcomes.

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

Creating detailed user journeys and service blueprints for each of our persona.

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

Creating detailed user journeys and service blueprints for each of our persona.

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

Creating detailed user journeys and service blueprints for each of our persona.

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

Creating detailed user journeys and service blueprints for each of our persona.

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

Creating detailed user journeys and service blueprints for each of our persona.

Crafting a Vision

Data-Informed Design

Business Model Canvas

Crafting a Vision

Data-Informed Design

Business Model Canvas

Crafting a Vision

Data-Informed Design

Business Model Canvas

Crafting a Vision

Data-Informed Design

Business Model Canvas

Crafting a Vision

Data-Informed Design

Business Model Canvas

Investing into the future

Investing into the future

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

1

Crafting SCALAR's Vision

Vision workshop

Vision workshop

Vision workshop

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design

2

Embracing Data-Informed Design

Pendo trial
Mapping UX metrics to Business metrics

Pendo trial
Mapping UX metrics to Business metrics

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

3

Mapping User Journeys and Service Blueprints

Business Model Canvas workshop

Business Model Canvas workshop

Quick wins

Quick wins

While these long-term initiatives were essential, I recognized the need for quick wins to build momentum. I kicked off two simple but impactful solutions:

  • Design Office Hours: A regular slot where teams without dedicated designers could seek guidance.

  • UX-helps-you Slack Channel: A dedicated space for answering design-related questions and fostering collaboration.

While these long-term initiatives were essential, I recognized the need for quick wins to build momentum. I kicked off two simple but impactful solutions:

  • Design Office Hours: A regular slot where teams without dedicated designers could seek guidance.

  • UX-helps-you Slack Channel: A dedicated space for answering design-related questions and fostering collaboration.

Building a strong community through rituals

Building a strong community through rituals

Design Community of Practice

These bi-weekly workshops and presentations were an opportunity for us to share knowledge and train each other on design topics.

Design Community of Practice

These bi-weekly workshops and presentations were an opportunity for us to share knowledge and train each other on design topics.

Design Community of Practice

These bi-weekly workshops and presentations were an opportunity for us to share knowledge and train each other on design topics.

Design Community of Practice

These bi-weekly workshops and presentations were an opportunity for us to share knowledge and train each other on design topics.

1

Design Community of Practice

These bi-weekly workshops and presentations were an opportunity for us to share knowledge and train each other on design topics.

1

Design Community of Practice

These bi-weekly workshops and presentations were an opportunity for us to share knowledge and train each other on design topics.

Buddy Groups

All of us were assigned to a buddy group of three-four designers to have a chance of discussing day-to-day design challenges among others.

Buddy Groups

All of us were assigned to a buddy group of three-four designers to have a chance of discussing day-to-day design challenges among others.

Buddy Groups

All of us were assigned to a buddy group of three-four designers to have a chance of discussing day-to-day design challenges among others.

Buddy Groups

All of us were assigned to a buddy group of three-four designers to have a chance of discussing day-to-day design challenges among others.

2

Buddy Groups

All of us were assigned to a buddy group of three-four designers to have a chance of discussing day-to-day design challenges among others.

2

Buddy Groups

All of us were assigned to a buddy group of three-four designers to have a chance of discussing day-to-day design challenges among others.

Design Office Hours

These bi-weekly office hours helped connect designers with teams who lack UX/UI designers or just want to learn about designg how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

Design Office Hours

These bi-weekly office hours helped connect designers with teams who lack UX/UI designers or just want to learn about designg how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

Design Office Hours

These bi-weekly office hours helped connect designers with teams who lack UX/UI designers or just want to learn about designg how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

Design Office Hours

These bi-weekly office hours helped connect designers with teams who lack UX/UI designers or just want to learn about designg how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

3

Design Office Hours

These bi-weekly office hours helped connect designers with teams who lack UX/UI designers or just want to learn about designg how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

3

Design Office Hours

These bi-weekly office hours helped connect designers with teams who lack UX/UI designers or just want to learn about designg how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

We've worked with Patryk multiple times, and it has always been a pleasure! He helped us craft engaging landing pages that convert well. Patryk works in a very timely manner and always ensures that you are fully satisfied with the results!

Adam Anderso

Co-founder of Apple

We've worked with Patryk multiple times, and it has always been a pleasure! He helped us craft engaging landing pages that convert well. Patryk works in a very timely manner and always ensures that you are fully satisfied with the results!

Adam Anderso

Co-founder of Apple

We've worked with Patryk multiple times, and it has always been a pleasure! He helped us craft engaging landing pages that convert well. Patryk works in a very timely manner and always ensures that you are fully satisfied with the results!

Adam Anderso

Co-founder of Apple

We've worked with Patryk multiple times, and it has always been a pleasure! He helped us craft engaging landing pages that convert well. Patryk works in a very timely manner and always ensures that you are fully satisfied with the results!

Adam Anderso

Co-founder of Apple

We've worked with Patryk multiple times, and it has always been a pleasure! He helped us craft engaging landing pages that convert well. Patryk works in a very timely manner and always ensures that you are fully satisfied with the results!

Adam Anderso

Co-founder of Apple

We've worked with Patryk multiple times, and it has always been a pleasure! He helped us craft engaging landing pages that convert well. Patryk works in a very timely manner and always ensures that you are fully satisfied with the results!

Adam Anderso

Co-founder of Apple

Looking back

In the realm of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have emerged as game-changers, particularly in the field of UI/UX design. The integration of these advanced technologies is reshaping how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.

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