Project Flow
Project Flow is a mission to re-define workflow systems. As I started working at MLILY I quickly noticed the Product Design Team was developing product without a process. In this project we look at assessing the current systems pain points and developing a new process flow. These adjustments assist the Product Design Team’s workflow as well as display to upper management the process and timeline of a typical product from idea to final sample creation. In addition, this new process includes manufacturing team’s details that until now had worked as separate departments.
Goals
Create a flow chart visually illustrating each step of the design process.
Develop Turn-Over documents to help the design details get documented and sent to manufacturing team.
Create a training presentation on how to use the new Turn-Over documents to help educate new and current employees.
Skills + Tools
Research
Brainstorming
Iterative sketch development
Graphic layout design
Presentation practice
Illustrator
Miro
Acrobat
PowerPoint
Role
Designer
Leader of feedback + collaboration meetings with Design, Marketing and Manufacturing teammates.
Flow with me
The finalized Product Development (PD) flow chart allows the Product Design team to move through their personal work flows efficently while helping managers check on project process utilizing gates of achievement. This process was shared with the manufacturing team to help educate team members on the steps the Product Design team has outlined for each project. In contrast this was the first time manufacturing team was contacted to learn what the factory’s processes were. Together we merged our knowledge to create a simple illustration of the Product Design process.
Increased communication
Developed transparency for external departments such as sales reps and marketing
Educated managers on the bottle necks in the process
Increased education company wide on Product Design process
Together this flow chart was created to work hand and hand with the Turn-Over documents I developed to help facilitate clear communication across the different departments at MLILY.
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Mattress Turnover Example
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Pillow Turnover Example
Turnover a new project
The two examples above are the internal Turn-Over documents used to help the Product Design team’s ideas get to the manufacturing team for prototyping. In the past MLILY has sent projects in development through second party apps or in company chats. Documenting each prototype allows for iterations to be recored as well as mistakes to be caught and prevented thus allowing for less rounds before the final decisions are made. This saves the company time and money throughout the development processes.
Money and time saving
Clear process documentation
Can be edited by all parties with fillable entry fields
Can be shared internationally/translated easily
Illustrations + text allows for clearer communication
Mistakes are easily caught and signed off by reviewers for accountability
Together this flow chart was created to work hand and hand with the Turn-Over documents I developed to help facitate clear communication across the different departments at MLILY.
Teach, develop and grow
After creating the flow chart and Turnover documents I developed a short training presentation for internal use to educate all employees on the new processes and where to find these documents. Since all departments were disturbed this training presentation it had to be accessible to all skill levels and translated into different languages. This was successfully distributed and has been in use since February 2021.
My hope as lead of Product Development I am able to bring these tools to the current employees and help educate new hires right out the gate. This process has stream lined new product development this year alone and I hope continues in the future as new iterations of the current system are adjusting as time moves on.