Designers and product managers have different roles, but they both share a common goal. to deliver high-quality products that meet the needs of their customers. The design process is essential for creating user-centered products, but it's not always easy to align the goals of the two teams. In this article, we'll show you how to work effectively with product managers and stakeholders to deliver designs faster and reinforce accountability.

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I remember when I first started working with product managers. I was so focused on the design aspect that I didn't consider their goals or how they work. As a result, my designs were often rejected or delayed. It wasn't until I learned how to collaborate with them effectively that I started seeing real results and my designs were approved faster.

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Collaborating with product managers and stakeholders is essential for delivering high-quality designs that meet the needs of users. This process includes different stages, such as concepting, testing, review, approval, and delivery. The Double-Diamond Design Process is an effective method for achieving creativity and innovation through applying the user-centred design methodology and by applying user experience research.

Step 1: Concepting

In this stage, designers actively work on and design concept screens. These screens are not final concepts and must be reviewed before moving on to the next stage. The screens are presented in a flow to demonstrate their function. During the review, stakeholders consider the function of the components within the screen and provide feedback or approve the screen for the next stage.

Design sprints are an effective way to quickly test and validate design concepts with users. This method allows designers to get feedback on their designs in a short amount of time and make any necessary adjustments before moving on to the next stage.

In my experience, I have found that running design sprints with a diverse group of users, such as internal stakeholders, customers, and broader focused user groups, helps to identify any potential roadblocks or issues that may arise during development. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the design and user needs, leading to a more successful final product.

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Step 2: Testing

After concept screens are approved, they move on to the testing stage. During this stage, designers conduct design sprints to test and validate the screens with customers, internal stakeholders, and user groups. This stage can take a week to complete.

During testing, designers should also pay attention to any patterns or common feedback that may surface. This feedback can then be used to make informed decisions about the design and make any necessary adjustments before moving on to the next stage.
Overall, the testing stage is crucial in ensuring the success of the final product. It allows designers to validate their designs with users, identify any potential issues, and make necessary adjustments before moving on to the next stage.

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Step 3: In Review

After testing is complete, screens are moved to the review stage. This is where a testing report is produced and stakeholders are presented with the findings and any adjustments that were made. During this stage, it is important for designers to clearly communicate the results of the testing and how they will address any issues that were identified. This helps to ensure that the design meets the needs of the users and that stakeholders understand the design decisions that were made.

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Step 4: Approved

Once the screen is approved, designers complete all necessary handoff materials for developers and update any design elements in the design system. They also collaborate with product managers and key stakeholders to organize any essential materials to support the development sprint. This step is all about ensuring that the design is ready for development and that all stakeholders are on the same page about what the final product should look like.

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Step 5: Completed

Once the design handoff materials are completed, the screens are ready for development. Product managers can manage and act on any developer-ready screens. When a screen has commenced development, it is set to "in action" and cannot change until this process is completed. This step is all about making sure that the design is ready to be developed and that the development team has everything they need to get started.

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Step 6: On Hold

If a screen needs to be put on hold, it is set to "on hold" and cannot change until the process is completed. This step is all about making sure that the design is put on hold in a controlled and organized way, so that it can be picked up again at a later date without any confusion.

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Overall, by following this process, designers can deliver product designs faster and reinforce accountability. It also allows for clear and consistent communication and collaboration with stakeholders and product managers throughout the design process.

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In summary, by using a step-by-step process for delivering product designs to product managers and stakeholders, designers can improve their skill set, save time, increase profitability, and have high-quality professional lives. This process includes the concepting, testing, review, approved, completed, and on-hold stages, each serving a specific purpose in the design process. By following this process, designers can ensure that their designs are validated with users, identify any potential issues, and make necessary adjustments before moving on to the next stage.

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This ultimately leads to faster delivery of product designs and reinforced accountability for the final product. Overall, this process promotes clear and consistent communication and collaboration with stakeholders and product managers throughout the design process, resulting in a successful final product.

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