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10 strategies and tactics for Design Manager

What is Design Manager strategy?

Every great achievement starts with a well-thought-out plan. It can be the launch of a new product, expanding into new markets, or just trying to increase efficiency. You'll need a delicate combination of strategies and tactics to ensure that the journey is smooth and effective.

Crafting the perfect Design Manager strategy can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're juggling daily responsibilities. That's why we've put together a collection of examples to spark your inspiration.

Copy these examples into your preferred app, or you can also use Tability to keep yourself accountable.

How to write your own Design Manager strategy with AI

While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI generator below or our more complete goal-setting system to generate your own strategies.

Design Manager strategy examples

We've added many examples of Design Manager tactics, including a series of action items. We hope that this will make these examples as practical and useful as possible.

Strategies and tactics for fulfilling promises towards the role of a design manager in an IT company

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Enhance team collaboration

    • Schedule regular team meetings to discuss ongoing projects
    • Implement a project management tool to track progress and share updates
    • Encourage open communication and feedback among team members
    • Organise team-building activities to strengthen relationships
    • Define clear roles and responsibilities for each team member
    • Facilitate conflict resolution sessions when necessary
    • Promote a culture of inclusivity and respect
    • Hold one-on-one meetings to understand individual challenges and goals
    • Share best practices and new design trends within the team
    • Celebrate team achievements and recognise individual contributions

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Ensure high-quality design output

    • Establish clear design guidelines and standards
    • Conduct regular design reviews and provide constructive feedback
    • Invest in training and development for the design team
    • Create a library of design resources and templates
    • Stay updated with the latest industry trends and incorporate them
    • Utilise user feedback to refine and improve designs
    • Encourage experimentation and innovation in design
    • Implement a quality assurance process for all design outputs
    • Collaborate with other departments to align design with company goals
    • Set measurable goals for design projects and track performance

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Drive project success

    • Define clear project objectives and deliverables
    • Create detailed project plans with timelines and milestones
    • Allocate resources effectively to meet project requirements
    • Coordinate with cross-functional teams for integrated project execution
    • Monitor project progress and adjust plans as needed
    • Communicate project status and updates to stakeholders
    • Identify and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle
    • Solicit stakeholder feedback to ensure project alignment
    • Ensure timely completion of projects within budget
    • Conduct post-project evaluations to identify areas for improvement
team-collaborationdesign-qualitydesign-managerproject-managerdesign-teamcross-functional-team
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Strategies and tactics for ensuring product consistency with design systems

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Establish Salesforce design standards and governance

    • Define core design principles aligned with Salesforce and Enterprise Design System
    • Develop a comprehensive design guide that includes usage, examples, and constraints
    • Appoint a design system governance team to oversee adherence to standards
    • Schedule regular audits to ensure design implementations meet defined standards
    • Create a feedback loop for teams to report issues and improvements on the design system
    • Implement a versioning system for updates to the design standards
    • Host workshops and training sessions for designers and developers on standards
    • Utilise design tools that integrate seamlessly with Salesforce for consistent implementation
    • Collate and maintain a library of reusable components within Salesforce system
    • Document and communicate any deviations from the design standards with justifications

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Upskill team in Salesforce

    • Identify skill gaps within the team related to Salesforce design capabilities
    • Develop a training plan that focuses on Salesforce design best practices
    • Provide access to Salesforce online courses and certification resources
    • Organise live training sessions with Salesforce experts or practitioners
    • Encourage job shadowing or mentorship programmes within the organisation
    • Set up regular knowledge sharing sessions within the team
    • Track and measure team progress against their learning goals
    • Implement a rewards system to encourage learning achievements
    • Create opportunities for team members to apply new skills in active projects
    • Regularly update training materials according to the latest Salesforce updates

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Reduce customisation by prototyping sandbox environment

    • Establish a dedicated sandbox environment for prototyping Salesforce customisations
    • Develop guidelines for using the sandbox environment effectively
    • Encourage teams to prototype and test solutions before deployment
    • Integrate sandbox review processes into project planning cycles
    • Monitor sandbox usage and provide feedback on prototyping efforts
    • Promote the use of sandbox results to inform design decisions
    • Analyse and document successful prototypes for potential standardisation
    • Evaluate the impact of reduced customisation in terms of time and cost savings
    • Share case studies of successful sandbox projects across teams
    • Refine sandbox environment based on user feedback and technological advancements
design-consistencysalesforce-integrationdesign-system-managersalesforce-expertdesign-teamdevelopment-team
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Strategies and tactics for defining Key Performance Indicators and Key Risk Indicators

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Identify and define relevant KPIs

    • Research industry standards for CAD design performance metrics
    • Consult with senior designers to understand company-specific KPIs
    • Define time-based KPIs such as average design completion time
    • Include accuracy metrics by measuring error rates in designs
    • Track the number of design iterations needed before approval
    • Assess customer satisfaction with completed designs
    • Measure personal development through completed training sessions
    • Include innovation metrics such as the number of suggestions for design improvements
    • Use software tools to automate tracking and reporting of KPIs
    • Regularly review and adjust KPIs to align with evolving project goals

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Identify and define relevant KRIs

    • Identify potential risks in the design process of press brake machines
    • Rank risks by likelihood and impact to prioritise focus
    • Define a threshold for acceptable design error rates
    • Monitor compliance with industry safety standards in designs
    • Track external factors such as supply chain disruptions affecting design timelines
    • Set up alerts for deviations from the design specifications
    • Evaluate the dependency on specific software tools or technologies
    • Include team collaboration and communication metrics
    • Use a risk management tool to automatically monitor and report KRIs
    • Regularly review and update KRIs based on recent risk assessments

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Implement and monitor KPIs and KRIs

    • Develop a dashboard to visualise KPIs and KRIs
    • Schedule regular team meetings to discuss KPI and KRI metrics
    • Provide training to ensure understanding of KPIs and KRIs
    • Use real-time data for continuous monitoring and adjustments
    • Compare performance against benchmarks and standards
    • Identify trends and patterns in KPI and KRI data
    • Assign accountability for maintaining specific KPIs and KRIs
    • Incorporate feedback loops for constant improvement
    • Invest in technology to enhance data accuracy and reporting
    • Conduct regular reviews to refine indicator effectiveness
performanceriskcad-designerproject-managerdesign-teamrisk-management-team
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Strategies and tactics for preparing a comprehensive mall review strategy

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Establish a robust mall management structure

    • Appoint a mall general manager to oversee overall operations
    • Set up specialized departments for operations, leasing, marketing, and finance
    • Designate managers for each department to ensure focused leadership
    • Implement weekly cross-departmental meetings for alignment on objectives
    • Create clear reporting structures with department heads reporting to the general manager
    • Conduct quarterly reviews of the management structure to identify areas for improvement
    • Develop a succession plan to maintain leadership continuity
    • Integrate communication and project management tools for improved collaboration
    • Organize bi-annual team-building activities to strengthen team dynamics
    • Set up performance evaluation criteria for department heads

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Maximize tenant occupancy through strategic lease management

    • Establish a dedicated leasing department for managing tenant relations
    • Develop a tenant mix strategy to balance retail, F&B, and service stores
    • Introduce a lease expiry management system for timely renewals and negotiations
    • Set up KPIs for monitoring occupancy rate, lease terms, and tenant satisfaction
    • Conduct market research to identify potential new tenants and sectors to enhance the mall's offering
    • Review and adjust lease terms to reflect current market conditions
    • Implement a feedback system for tenants to express needs and concerns
    • Organize regular tenant meetings to discuss and negotiate leasing issues
    • Provide incentives for anchor tenants to ensure long-term occupancy
    • Develop a contingency plan for managing high vacancy rates

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Enhance financial transparency and operational efficiency

    • Set up a finance and accounting department for revenue and cost management
    • Implement monthly financial reporting to track profitability and operational costs
    • Introduce a centralized billing system for tenant payments
    • Automate vendor and supplier payments to optimize cash flow
    • Conduct regular financial audits to ensure accuracy and compliance
    • Establish an expense management policy for cost control
    • Analyze financial data to identify trends and areas for cost reduction
    • Train staff in financial literacy to enhance fiscal responsibility
    • Create an annual budget plan aligning with mall objectives
    • Integrate accounting software for streamlined financial operations
mall-managementtenant-occupancygeneral-managerleasing-managerfinance-departmentleasing-department
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Strategies and tactics for integrating design and digital into central business functions

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Conduct a comprehensive assessment

    • Identify key business functions that require integration with design and digital
    • Map current workflows and processes that involve design and digital
    • Gather insights from stakeholders regarding current challenges and bottlenecks
    • Analyse existing digital tools and platforms used within the organisation
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of current collaboration between departments
    • Identify gaps in skills or resources in design and digital teams
    • Benchmark best practices from similar industries or competitors
    • Create a report highlighting key findings and recommendations
    • Develop a scoring system to prioritize areas that need immediate attention
    • Present findings to senior management for feedback and approval

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Enhance cross-departmental collaboration

    • Establish cross-functional teams with representatives from design, digital, and other business functions
    • Organise regular workshops and brainstorming sessions to foster creativity
    • Develop a common communication platform for real-time collaboration
    • Create guidelines for design and digital involvement in different phases of project planning and execution
    • Implement a transparent project management system to track progress and deadlines
    • Facilitate training sessions to improve cross-departmental communication skills
    • Define clear roles and responsibilities for team members in collaborative projects
    • Set up regular review meetings to gather feedback and optimise processes
    • Celebrate successes of collaborative projects to encourage continued teamwork
    • Adjust team structures and workflows based on performance data and feedback

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Implement a centralised digital strategy

    • Define a clear digital vision and objectives aligned with business goals
    • Create a roadmap outlining key digital initiatives and timelines
    • Develop a centralised digital dashboard for monitoring project metrics and outcomes
    • Standardise digital tools and platforms across all business functions
    • Implement regular training programs to upskill employees in digital competencies
    • Establish a digital governance committee to oversee strategy implementation
    • Regularly review digital trends and incorporate relevant advancements
    • Appoint digital champions within each business function to drive adoption
    • Ensure continuous feedback loops for quick adaptation to changing needs
    • Evaluate the impact of the digital strategy through case studies and performance metrics
integrationcollaborationdigital-championproject-managerdesign-teamcross-functional-team
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Strategies and tactics for reorganising Harbour's SharePoint Page

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Conduct a user needs assessment

    • Survey users to identify their main needs and challenges with the current SharePoint layout
    • Conduct focus groups to gather detailed feedback on users’ experiences and expectations
    • Map out user journeys to understand how different roles interact with SharePoint
    • Define key metrics for navigation and accessibility that will guide improvements
    • Gather analytics data on page visits and document access to determine usage patterns
    • Identify any current categories or documents that are redundant or can be merged
    • Evaluate accessibility tools and standards that could be implemented
    • Create user personas to better understand diverse user requirements
    • Document the common tasks users perform on the SharePoint site
    • Summarise findings and identify main areas for improvement

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Design a new SharePoint layout

    • Create a wireframe of the new SharePoint layout incorporating user feedback
    • Ensure the layout supports easy navigation by having a clear and logical structure
    • Develop categories for documents and resources based on user needs assessment
    • Implement breadcrumb trails to help users maintain their context
    • Incorporate search features that allow easy document retrieval by users
    • Include an intuitive menu that allows quick access to frequently used pages
    • Add visual aids and icons to assist users in identifying categories and sections
    • Ensure all documents are tagged correctly for easy categorisation and retrieval
    • Incorporate responsive design principles to ensure mobile accessibility
    • Develop a prototype and gather feedback from a select group of users

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Implement and test the new layout

    • Develop a project plan including timelines and responsibilities for implementation
    • Set up a test environment to implement the new layout without affecting live operations
    • Regularly update stakeholders on progress and gather their feedback during implementation
    • Conduct testing sessions with users to identify any usability issues
    • Roll out the new layout in phases, starting with a less critical section to manage risks
    • Collect feedback from initial users of the new layout to understand its efficacy
    • Make necessary adjustments based on feedback before full rollout
    • Provide training sessions to help users adapt to the changes
    • Establish a channel for ongoing user feedback and a process for continuous improvement
    • Monitor usage post-implementation to evaluate success against defined metrics
navigationaccessibilityuser-experience-analystproject-managerdesign-teamimplementation-team
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Strategies and tactics for increasing project effectiveness and unique features

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Ensure meticulous planning

    • Define clear project goals and objectives
    • Create a comprehensive project timeline with key milestones
    • Allocate resources efficiently, including budget and personnel
    • Identify potential risks and develop mitigation plans
    • Hold regular project meetings to track progress
    • Develop detailed project documentation
    • Implement a robust project management tool
    • Ensure continuous communication with stakeholders
    • Assign roles and responsibilities clearly
    • Develop a testing plan to ensure quality control

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Integrate innovative and unique features

    • Conduct market research to identify current trends and gaps
    • Brainstorm and conceptualise unique features
    • Incorporate user feedback and suggestions
    • Leverage emerging technologies and tools
    • Create prototypes and conduct user testing
    • Ensure the uniqueness aligns with the project's core objectives
    • Monitor competitors and differentiate accordingly
    • Provide training for the team on new technologies
    • Use design thinking approaches to enhance creativity
    • Develop detailed feature specifications and implementation plans

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Optimise results distribution

    • Develop a structured results distribution plan
    • Use analytics tools to gather and interpret data
    • Ensure transparency in result reporting
    • Establish regular reporting intervals and formats
    • Create an interactive dashboard for real-time updates
    • Automate data collection and reporting processes
    • Include summaries and insights in result reports
    • Train team members on interpreting and using results
    • Incorporate visual elements like charts and graphs
    • Provide a feedback mechanism to continuously improve distribution
meticulous-planninginnovative-featuresproject-managerux-designerdevelopment-teamresearch-team
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Strategies and tactics for developing an Intercom Product Strategy

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Enhance user experience

    • Conduct user interviews to gather feedback on current user experience
    • Analyse customer support tickets to identify common pain points
    • Implement a user-friendly interface design with intuitive navigation
    • Test usability with focus groups to collect actionable insights
    • Integrate customer suggestions into product design where feasible
    • Ensure mobile optimisation for seamless experience on all devices
    • Develop and release tutorials to aid user onboarding and engagement
    • Continuously monitor user feedback through surveys and reviews
    • Utilise A/B testing to refine features based on user feedback
    • Benchmark against competitors to identify areas for UX improvement

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Expand feature set

    • Conduct market research to identify new trends and demands
    • Analyse competitor products to find feature gaps and opportunities
    • Gather customer feedback to understand desired features
    • Prioritise new features based on impact and feasibility
    • Develop a roadmap with timeline for feature rollout
    • Collaborate with marketing to build anticipation for new features
    • Beta test new features with a select group of users
    • Collect and incorporate feedback from beta users
    • Provide training and resources for new feature adoption
    • Monitor adoption rates and effectiveness of new features

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Increase market penetration

    • Identify key target markets and demographics
    • Develop tailored marketing strategies for different segments
    • Leverage partnerships and collaborations to expand reach
    • Optimise SEO to improve product visibility online
    • Increase presence through targeted online and offline campaigns
    • Utilise customer testimonials and case studies in promotion
    • Offer promotions or discounts to attract new customers
    • Host webinars and workshops to demonstrate product value
    • Attend industry events and trade shows for networking
    • Monitor market trends and adjust strategies accordingly
user-experiencefeature-expansionproduct-managerux-designermarketing-teamdevelopment-team
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Strategies and tactics for designing Metrics for KPI Application

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Establish functionality metrics

    • Create a detailed list of all functionalities provided by the application
    • Define measurement criteria for each functionality (e.g., availability of report creation, performance reviews, notifications)
    • Conduct user surveys to assess adequacy of existing functionalities to user needs
    • Compile a report on the number and type of functions offered versus user requirements
    • Develop a scoring system to rate the application's functionalities
    • Organise focus groups to gain qualitative insights on functionality adequacy
    • Implement a feedback mechanism within the application for users to suggest additional functionalities
    • Regularly update the functionality list based on evolving user needs
    • Benchmark functionality against similar applications in the market
    • Schedule periodic reviews to reassess the functionality metrics

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Implement usability metrics

    • Develop training sessions and materials for new users to measure initial learning time
    • Conduct user surveys to evaluate ease of use and gather qualitative feedback
    • Implement analytics to track the number of clicks required to complete common tasks
    • Create usability test scripts to perform regular usability testing
    • Analyse survey data to identify usability pain points
    • Iterate on application design based on usability testing and user feedback
    • Conduct A/B testing to compare usability improvements
    • Set up a user feedback loop to continually gather usability insights
    • Benchmark usability metrics against industry standards
    • Implement continuous monitoring to track usability metric changes over time

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Measure performance metrics

    • Implement monitoring tools to track application response times under different loads
    • Set up performance benchmarks based on desired throughput levels
    • Track resource utilisation, including CPU and memory usage, during different operations
    • Conduct stress testing to determine application limits
    • Analyse performance data to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement
    • Regularly review throughput metrics to ensure they meet performance targets
    • Optimise the application's code to improve performance based on monitoring data
    • Set up alerts for unusual spikes in resource utilisation
    • Schedule performance reviews and optimise based on collected data
    • Compare application's performance metrics with industry standards
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Strategies and tactics for providing smart primary packaging solutions

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Expand innovation in packaging design

    • Conduct market research to identify emerging trends in packaging design
    • Collaborate with designers to create visually appealing packaging
    • Implement user-friendly packaging designs that enhance customer experience
    • Invest in eco-friendly materials for sustainable packaging solutions
    • Utilise technology to enhance packaging functionality, such as QR codes or NFC tags
    • Develop prototypes for testing and feedback before mass production
    • Incorporate smart features like tamper-evidence or resealability
    • Assess and integrate automation in the packaging process to improve efficiency
    • Monitor industry innovations and technologies for potential application
    • Measure customer satisfaction and adapt designs based on feedback

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Strengthen supplier partnerships

    • Identify and engage key suppliers in the smart packaging industry
    • Negotiate partnerships that ensure consistent supply of high-quality materials
    • Set clear expectations and standards for suppliers on material sustainability
    • Develop joint projects with suppliers to foster innovation
    • Monitor supplier performance through regular audits and reviews
    • Establish strong communication channels for efficient collaboration
    • Leverage supplier expertise to enhance internal design capabilities
    • Evaluate and diversify suppliers to reduce risk and increase competitive advantage
    • Organise supplier workshops and training sessions for quality improvement
    • Maintain a dynamic supplier scorecard to measure and improve partnership value

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Enhance packaging sustainability

    • Conduct a life-cycle assessment for current packaging solutions
    • Identify opportunities for reducing packaging weight and material usage
    • Source biodegradable and recycled materials for packaging production
    • Implement design changes to facilitate recycling or composting
    • Engage in industry collaborations to advance sustainable packaging technologies
    • Communicate sustainability initiatives to consumers and stakeholders
    • Consider end-of-life disposal options in packaging design
    • Educate and train staff on sustainability best practices
    • Benchmark sustainability efforts against industry leaders for continuous improvement
    • Implement a measurement system for tracking sustainability impacts
packaging-innovationsustainabilitypackaging-designersupplier-managerdesign-teamsustainability-team
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How to track your Design Manager strategies and tactics

Having a plan is one thing, sticking to it is another.

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to keep your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

A tool like Tability can also help you by combining AI and goal-setting to keep you on track.

More strategies recently published

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

Planning resources

OKRs are a great way to translate strategies into measurable goals. Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the OKR framework:

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