Our design review procedure has changed as the business has expanded and adapted to the environment around it. Although the majority of our team has always worked remotely, this year’s switch to a fully distributed workforce caused yet another change for us. Our design review process has had to be carefully steered in a direction that prioritizes participation, engagement, and effective facilitation of feedback. Â.
How does the design review process work?
Teams meet during a design review to provide feedback to designers in order to advance the project. These reviews can take place at any stage of product development, and it’s beneficial for teams to hold multiple design review meetings throughout the entire process. Key participants in these meetings typically include managers or executives who have the authority to give final approval to a design. A design review process consists of several steps, some of which can be:
What is a design review meeting?
Cross-functional teams gather for a design review meeting to discuss and rate product designs according to predetermined standards, like style or usability. These meetings are typically held in the software development industry, but they can be useful for any company that creates products, such as medical devices. Designers, engineers, and other team members discuss product designs, pose questions, and provide feedback during these meetings. These meetings’ goal is to direct the creative process and make sure the finished product is in line with the intended uses.
Types of design reviews
The most typical types of design reviews are listed below, which designers can use to organize their conferences:
Round-table discussion
Participants in this kind of design review meeting from cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and business executives, give their final approval on a design concept. The lead designer typically presents the product design at this meeting and solicits participants’ opinions. Everyone on the team is encouraged to collaborate by sharing ideas and asking questions in order to find potential flaws in the design and areas for improvement. In the final stages of product development, this type of meeting can be helpful for designers to obtain approval for the design.
Feedback workshop
A feedback workshop typically has a more structured format for participants to follow than a round-table discussion. The lead designer presents their design during these meetings, giving everyone a chance to think about the idea. Each participant then provides feedback on the design, usually on an index card or sticky note, which the designer then adheres to a poster divided into four quadrants for questions or ideas. Using this format, design teams can find recurring issues or trends in the feedback they get. Additionally, it provides each participant with a chance to express their thoughts.
How to prepare for a design review meeting
The actions you can take to get ready to host a design review meeting for team members are listed below:
1. Identify participants
Find the team members who might be able to contribute significantly to the product design. Usually, the lead designer and other designers who are familiar with the product attend these meetings. It’s crucial to involve other product development team members, such as engineers or programmers, who aren’t familiar with the design. This helps ensure you receive impartial feedback during the review. Other stakeholders, like company executives, who have final approval over the product design, are typically present at these meetings. If at all possible, keep these meetings to eight people or less so that everyone has a chance to provide feedback.
2. Determine meeting time and location
Once the participants are known, choose a time and place for the meeting. Find a day and time that works for everyone’s schedule by taking into account each participant’s work schedule. Set aside an hour and a half for the meeting, which usually enables the team to have a fruitful discussion about the design. Look for a location for the meeting that is convenient for all team members. Make certain the meeting space has the technological features you need, such as screens for sharing the meeting video if you are hosting remote participants.
3. Set an agenda
Choose whether you want to have a roundtable discussion or a feedback workshop when establishing the agenda for the discussion. Although the two formats differ, they both give the designer a chance to present their work and get feedback. Give yourself enough time to include a meeting summary and pertinent details about the design, such as the target audience, on the agenda. Plan to then give a thorough analysis of the design, perhaps including a demonstration of its features. Consider allowing participants to provide feedback after your presentation.
4. Share meeting details
Give participants information about the meeting, such as the date, time, and location The meeting should be scheduled using a shared calendar, which will allow you to see who has accepted the invitation. You can also share additional information with participants, such as the project timeline and the review’s objectives. Include information about the meeting’s objectives in the invitation to the gathering. For instance, you might explain to them that this meeting is focused on the features of the product rather than its overall design.
5. Choose a moderator
Even though the product designer usually runs these meetings, it’s helpful to appoint a moderator who can assist you in taking notes. This person can keep track of participant feedback, record questions for review, and make a list of any pressing tasks. Select a reviewer who is knowledgeable about the product’s objectives and design, such as a team member who has provided feedback on your development. This person can record insightful meeting notes that you can review later.
6. Gather supplies
Make sure everyone has the necessary materials before the meeting so they can participate. Make sure you have enough pens, pencils, sticky notes, or index cards for each team member to submit several ideas if you’re hosting a feedback workshop. Utilizing a whiteboard or easel, you can also prepare the poster in advance of the meeting. Moreover, make sure there are enough chairs in the conference room for each participant. Printing extra copies of the agenda is also beneficial so that everyone can refer to it while the meeting is going on.
7. Prepare questions
Having some prepared questions for attendees can assist you in facilitating conversation during the meeting. These inquiries can aid participants in developing their ideas or suggestions and in thinking critically about the design. Additionally, their responses to your inquiries can assist you in identifying potential design flaws. The questions you ask can change depending on the stage of the product development, but the following are some typical ones:
8. Encourage respectful discussion
Encourage participants to respectfully discuss the product design before the meeting even starts. This can serve to set the mood for the meeting and serve as a reminder to the participants of the hard work you put into the design concepts. Try to be open-minded and graciously accept participant feedback when you receive ideas or suggestions for improvement. Before the product is released to the public, a respectful discussion among the team members can help you improve the design and find solutions to potential issues.
Design review agenda template
Here is a sample agenda for a design review meeting that you can use to plan:
Project name: [List the name of the project. ]Date of meeting: [List your meeting date. ]Participants names: [List the names of your participants. ].
Briefly describe the agenda’s objectives and give an overview of the schedule. Explain the meeting’s agenda and structure for a short while. Respond to any inquiries from attendees about the meeting’s objectives. ].
Include any pertinent details about the product that would be useful for participants to be aware of, such as the project timeline or any important design specifications. ].
Detailed review: [Provide a detailed review of the design. Share a prototype or perform a demonstration if you can to ensure that participants comprehend the design principles. During this part of the meeting, remind attendees to take notes. ].
Gather feedback: [Write feedback from meeting participants. Have a moderator record the team members’ evaluations so you can review and rank their suggestions to make the necessary adjustments to the design. ].
How do you carry out an effective Critical Design Review (CDR)?
FAQ
What should be included in design review?
- Each project must have at least one monthly critique session.
- To keep things moving, each session should only have six people.
- Bring fresh perspectives to every meeting by inviting new participants.
- The primary designer for the project should be present to conduct the review and receive direct feedback.
What is a design review process?
Organizing a Design Review These should include reiterating the project and business goals that stakeholders want to be realized, as well as the project schedule and deliverables (including completed and outstanding project items). Additional constraints include what can and cannot be changed, i. e. navigation or content.
How do you conduct a design meeting?
A design review is a stage in the product development process where a design is assessed against its specifications to ensure the results of earlier work and pinpoint problems before committing to – and if necessary, re-prioritizing – additional work.
What are design meetings?
- Define. Define meetings as occasions to launch a project and establish the requirements.
- Design Feedback. …
- Develop. …
- Decide. …
- Consult. …
- Inform. …
- Send out an email before the meeting. …
- Start with an agenda at the beginning of the meeting:
