Led team of 8 product designers on real-time CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) application.
The Challenge
Working at unicorn startup is both thrilling and challenging. I quickly learned the stakes involved working on a product where lives are at stake. Leading a design team of eight designers meant playing a support role while guiding the product in the right direction, toward efficient workflows.
This was a time when Mark43 was quickly expanding, both in the US and abroad, and learning about specific customer needs was an extremely important aspect of my role.
The Approach
We visited customers on-site on many occasions to do ride-alongs directly with 911 call-center operators and police officers in the field.
Seeing how both sides operate was essential to understanding product needs and workflows (and I got to be in the car for a high-speed chase as a bonus).
We provided a solid design feedback loop. Visit customers → gather feedback → guide product (and sales) in the right direction.
Team Impact
Process Improvements
Shifted the team to function-focused, agile design processes. This allowed us to shift with the overall strategy to improve the utility of our CAD products and required alignment with product and engineering leadership.
Introduced new process for mobile + desktop CAD designer collaboration.
Team Learning Opportunities
Implemented Design School to keep the team up-to-date with skills while also encouraging group learning and improving team communication.
Created growth plans for designers on the CAD team.
Agile Design & Project Planning
Led the planning and implementation of a new Level of Effort system for the research and design team utilizing both points and t-shirt sizing.
Leadership Initiatives
Aligned the CAD team with design system priorities and implemented tracking for ready to use components.
