THE DESIGN CONDUCTORS

Posman and Calhoun offer a clear and comprehensive review of best practices in the design operations profession.

According to the authors, this is the first book specifically focused on design operations, or “DesignOps.” Posman and Calhoun both hold senior DesignOps roles at Salesforce and are experienced leaders in the field. Here, they set out to create “an essential field guide” for project and program managers in design and design-related areas, defining DesignOps as the work of “designing the design team’s experience” in order to “create the conditions that make great design possible.” As the title suggests, the book’s structure is musically themed—clever chapter titles include “Learning the Score,” “Composing Your Career,” and “Maintaining Your Rhythm.” The first three Acts (sections) cover the fundamentals of DesignOps practices, practitioners, and organizations; Act Four covers establishing and growing a practice, and Act Five provides strategies to improve impact. Fittingly for the subject, the text is well thought-out and attractively presented in its breakdowns of methods to combine design thinking with business savvy, building relationships, managing programs, leading change, and communicating effectively. Colored boxes highlight real-world tips and insights from the authors and many senior DesignOps practitioners from well-known companies such as Adobe, IBM, and Google. More than 80 tables, charts, and graphics illustrate key concepts. The book also includes an “Encore” section with 15 adaptable templates, a 10-page index, and a link to a companion website that contains a blog and additional content. It’s clear that Posman and Calhoun are speaking for and to a very specific audience of design-related professionals in web-centric or technology companies. They provide a wealth of useful information, including suggested interview questions and answers and guidance on preparing a portfolio. (Those outside the field will not find this riveting reading material, though they may pick up some good advice on management.) The prose mixes clear definitions and practical recommendations (“don’t start with the solution in mind—start with the customer’s need”), but it’s also filled with specialized terms (affinity-mapping, Scrum) and standard corporate jargon such as ideate, deliverables, onboarding, and “cross-disciplinary synchronicity” that mark this work as a text for specialists.

A thorough and practical career guide for design project and program managers.