Kamana – 2023

Building a High Performing Design Practice

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Overview

Revitalizing Kamana's user experience and design team operations, I navigated through historical misalignments, introduced pragmatic initiatives (such as expanding the team and defining a future state vision), and delivered improved reliability, strategic focus, and a more cohesive product design experience.

Introduction

Stepping into the role of Lead Product Designer at Kamana in early 2023, my task was clear – revamp a lackluster user experience and streamline the design team's operations and performance issues. No small feat, given the challenges in current state.

Assessment

An initial assessment revealed a history of misalignment between design deliverables and the frontend codebase. The lack of a transparent design process and essential design infrastructure elements further complicated matters. Kamana's user experience landscape resembled a tangled mess, lacking a unified vision to guide its growth.

Plan

I crafted and pitched a pragmatic Design Future State Proposal, aligning it with a detailed Design Change Management Plan. The leadership was on board, and I strategically prioritized initiatives, beginning with a crucial Design Team Expansion Proposal to boost our capacity and reliability.

Implementation

Implementation wasn't splashy; it was a series of intentional moves. Project Management Enhancements, an expanded team through a rigorous hiring process and thoughtful Onboarding, and refined Performance Management resources marked the first steps. Larger initiatives, including a new Design System and future state Vision Work, followed suit, laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and scalable Kamana.

Impact

The impact was tangible. Tactical delivery and quality improved with the addition of a seasoned Sr. Product Designer and standardized processes. Our design charter expanded to encompass strategic initiatives. Trust in our cross-functional collaboration grew as we improved expectations and collaboration. Consistency became a hallmark, bridging the gap between design mockups and production features through refined processes.

Stakeholders, once skeptical, now appreciated our deliberate communication around upcoming features. To keep everyone in the loop, I presented a Design State of the Union deck, a snapshot of our progress, future plans, and an open invitation for feedback.

Kamana's design transformation has been at times challenging, and is still ongoing, but has proven a key effort toward a more efficient and purposeful design practice.