In 2019, I identified the need for Design Ops within the Experience Design team (80 people) and pitched the concept to the business. I then worked with the team to develop a Design Ops function remit and scope.
I was previously working as a Design Principal for Investments within the Experience Design team.
In late 2019, I began the role ‘Head of Design Ops’, I began to outline first priorities and implement processes to help the team deliver, track work and remove barriers where possible.
Hiring and onboarding principals increasing rigour and consistency
Conceptualise Design Language as part of Design Ops (Barclays Design Language was already up and running, I brought it into the ops function to help formalise the process and improve consumption)
Embed tools for collaborative and consistent working practices
Create ‘What good looks like’ standards for the team to help with development
Set out vision and future plans for Design Ops at Barclays
Team of 2 (Me + Studio Manager)
Restructure in the bank - consolidation of Design and Research teams to form ‘Insight & Design’
Establish new team and re-set Design Ops to ‘Insight & Design Ops’
Grow team from 2 - 8 (Head of Design Ops, Insight & Design Ops Lead x1, Insight & Design Ops Managers x4)
Establish new priorities, roles and responsibilities
Immerse team in the theory of Design Ops and Research Ops
Design Language Community of Practice set up
Tactical work taken on under the following work streams:
Tooling & Infrastructure
Process Strategy
Team Org & Structure
Team Culture
Team PR
Learning & Development
Hiring & Onboarding
Identify core strategic projects to help with cultural change
Strategic projects up and running
UX apprenticeship scheme
Vulnerable customers – default by design
Double diamond process embedded into the wider teams and formalised within the bank
I&D Ops team growth +2
Introduction of Creative Technologist role
Capability mapping across Insight & Design
Review how we are doing and creating a strategy for 2021. Continuous improvements made to how we work and how the wider team works. Continual efforts to create consistent easy to use processes and embed design thinking methodologies - enabling the team to work on the right thing for the end user.
Data first reporting on Design and Research work
Prioritisation framework designed and embedded