Innovation in Engage
_ Building a culture of innovation, one sprint at a time.
Overview
The Innovation Team was created to explore new product concepts that were outside the scope of feature teams, and often lacked the bandwidth to address. Co-led by myself and another designer, we formed a dynamic team to drive this initiative from scratch. We developed a structured process to explore, validate, and present ideas, operating in “envisioning sprints” to deliver fast, actionable insights. This initiative not only helped the organization think outside the box but also reinforced my ability to lead, manage cross-functional teams, and deliver meaningful results.
My Role
As co-lead, I organized and led our team through envisioning sprints, balancing team needs with stakeholder alignment. I worked with my co-lead to define our process and ensure efficient collaboration across diverse teams, focusing on delivering clear, actionable results under tight timelines.
Microsoft's | 2023
1
Templates and Assets Empowering Teams
We created reusable templates and assets that were leveraged across teams, streamlining workflows and enabling faster iteration for designers across the organization.
2
High-Speed Exploration Across Multiple Features
Our team worked at an accelerated pace, adapting quickly to new projects, exploring various product areas simultaneously, and delivering results in record time.
3
Leading Through Coaching and Process Improvement
Beyond just leading design work, I played a key role in coaching other designers and improving cross-functional communication. I also redefined several internal processes, such as workshops and presentations, which resulted in better collaboration and greater impact across the entire design organization.
Defining the Challenge
The biggest challenge was creating a team with no prior precedent within the organization. We had to quickly establish processes, manage diverse stakeholders, and align on goals, all while leading the team to deliver results under tight timelines. Additionally, working with rotating teams required clear communication and flexible coordination to ensure smooth collaboration across multiple features.
The User
Stakeholders: These were the internal teams and product managers who needed new ideas and solutions but lacked the time or resources to explore them themselves.
Team Members: These were the designers, engineers, and product managers who worked with us to validate and execute ideas. It was crucial to lead and motivate this diverse team, ensuring they felt empowered and aligned throughout the process.
Their needs
Stakeholders wanted rapid, actionable results without sacrificing their ongoing priorities. Team members needed clarity, empowerment, and efficient processes to deliver impactful contributions under fast-paced timelines.
Reinventing Processes, Elevating Results
Through our work in the Innovation Team, we not only delivered new ideas but also redefined several key processes within our design organization. By reimagining workshops, presentation formats, and collaboration methods, we introduced practices that were quickly adopted by other teams. These improvements became best practices that had a lasting impact on the entire design organization, helping to increase overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Final Product
