Main conference presentation

Peer (or team) design reviews -- how to give 'em and take 'em

Dorelle Rabinowitz, Lucas Pettinati

Sunday March 25 2007, 5:00 - 5:45PM

How does your team review work-in-progress? Do you informally collaborate with other information architects or is there a formal process in place? How do you decide that work is ready to show to the "outside" -- the business folks, clients or other stakeholders -- and feel confident that the work delivers what was promised?

In the case of our team, we are extremely comfortable with the work being produced because of twice-weekly internal design reviews. The entire team (interaction designers, visual designers, design researchers and even engineers) attends and participates. These recurring meetings function as iterative design sessions, as work-in-progress is reviewed at all stages of development -- from ideas to sketches to finished mocks and specs. We offer positive criticism and encouragement, brainstorm alternative solutions, and discuss strategies for review with other functional teams in supportive but truthful environment.

These reviews are an effective methodology to not only increase innovation, but also improve team morale, while building communication and listening skills. Informal or structured, they allow designers to gather design feedback, provide managers with knowledge of project progress, and distribute knowledge within a team. In turn, this process yields better designs and designers who can clearly articulate design rationales to cross-functional teams and get their buy-in. This presentation will describe:

• When to hold a session (and how often)
• Who should attend (and who shouldn't)
• Who runs the session (and what they need to do)
• How to set up a session and manage participants expectations (When to show, what to show, creating a helpful, non-judgmental environment)
• Presenter's and participant's different responsibilities (the difference between positive feedback and personal opinion)
• Benefits of the methodology
• Real Life Examples
• Adapting the methodology for your situation