Key Insights

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  Organizational restructuring can disrupt leadership and team clarity, leaving leaders feeling 'lost without a map.'

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  Creating a design maturity model based on external research reports can help regain orientation and strategic focus.

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  Initial attempts to impose a maturity model failed due to lack of team involvement and poor communication.

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  One-on-one conversations and persistent dialogue are essential to gain buy-in on new strategic tools.

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  Collaborative evaluation of team maturity behaviors uncovers concrete strengths and focus areas for improvement.

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  Defining priority topics (nine out of thirteen identified) allows a large design team to focus efforts effectively.

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  Integrating research, data, and product development practices strengthens design team impact within a large organization.

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  Using OKRs and outcome-focused planning helps translate maturity model insights into actionable goals.

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  Design operations teams, though often understaffed and not embedded in projects, hold responsibility for organizational design impact.

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  A maturity model can evolve from a 'rusty compass' to a 'GPS,' enabling ongoing strategic navigation and team alignment.

Notable Quotes