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Hey! Thanks for your article, and thanks for joining the discussion. I think a follow-up article would be great. :) I'm not sure how much my perspective can be
by yosito 9y ago
Hey! Thanks for your article, and thanks for joining the discussion. I think a follow-up article would be great. :)
I'm not sure how much my perspective can be applied to design-related decisions, since I'm a developer. But here are some of the approaches I use as a developer that you may be able to translate into a design domain;
1) Related to your suggestion about having a strong process, I recommend that teams adopt popular coding standards, and then automate the checking of those standards. That way, the nitpicky stuff is the responsibility of zero people, and everyone, at the same time. That helps avoid arguments over inconsequential stuff. Essentially have good, automated QA checking that everyone has agreed to adhere to. In design, that may mean having a dedicated person who enforces things like branding guidelines or solid design principles, I'm not really sure.
2) Related to your suggestion of gathering information and getting the consensus of a team, I'd personally frame it as "clearly defining the problem". But it might be helpful to have a universally respected team lead or design director who is responsible for directing the process of defining the problem. You need some way to unite the team around a single understanding of a problem. It looks like you're pretty much on this track already.
3) Everyone should take the role of both reviewer and reviewee. There should be a formalized review process and everyone should take turns being on both sides. It's important that everyone on the team understands that reviews are not personal criticism of someone's work but working together to help find the best solution to a problem.
4) Reviewers should learn to deliver feedback in a way that is encouraging and considerate. Be kind. Point out the good, as well as the bad. Ask questions instead of making corrections. Remember to encourage and thank people. One condescending comment in a review can take months to recover from.
5) Reviewees should learn to take feedback as an opportunity to learn, grow, and find better solutions. Feedback should never be taken as personal criticism, even if it was written that way. And reviewees should strive to be open to new ideas and to challenging their own.
I hope those ideas help. Thanks for your comment!