90 Day Plan

Starting with a new company

As a seasoned UX leader, I have developed a process with the first 90 days in a new company. This process can be broken out into segments based on 30, 60 and 90 days. I have successfully used this process with all of my positions and I have found it to be a beneficial way to discover the needs of the organization.

In addition to using a first 90 day plan for myself, I use the same template for all new team members on my teams. I have found it to be incredibly useful for new team members.

For each of the time periods - I identify the focus area, the goals, the priority and then what success looks like.

30 Days

Focus - ramping up: listen & learn

company vision

company strategy

meeting the teams

learning the products

competition review

60 Days

Process - add or update to existing

set up regular meetings

set process for UX team

set goals for UX team

set individual goals

cross team communication

90 Days

Up and running - implement change

publish design strategy

connect with other teams

update tools and processes

track goals and metrics for UX team

First 30 Days - ramping up - listen and learn

Focus

The first 30 days are all about onboarding to the new organization. This includes:

  • vision and mission of the company

  • company goals and KPIs

  • expectations for my role

  • goals for my role

  • market position and competitors

  • meeting the UX team members

  • review UX and development process

  • review UX deliverables

  • meeting the executive leadership team

  • HR onboarding tasks

Goals

I use the SMART* structure to accomplish my tasks with my team and the ELT.

  • research expectations for my role with the leadership team

  • complete 100% of ELT team interviews

  • set design review, team meetings on a weekly basis

  • set 1:1’s with UX team members

  • complete 100% of market and competition reviews

  • get access to the products and start evaluation

*SMART - Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound

Priorities

For the first 30 days, the focus will be to schedule meetings with team members and ELT.

  • learn company strategy and position

  • interviews with key ELT members

  • UX team member 1:1 onboarding meetings

  • address any urgent issues: customer or product

  • set design review, team meetings on a weekly basis

  • getting access to products and services - product knowledge

  • HR tasks for onboarding

31-60 Days - Process - add or update to existing

Focus

In the 2nd month, the focus is on process adaptations and setting up for success.

  • create action plan from interviews with leadership team to address immediate and long term issues

  • set up UX process for internal and external design reviews

  • set up research process for UX projects

  • create or implement analytics for tracking UI changes

  • set goals based on company strategy

  • create job family for UX team

  • collaborate with PM and Development on UX process within the development lifecycle

  • update or add standard templates for UX deliverables

  • set up regular ELT review cycle for UX

Goals

Using SMART - set the goals for process changes to ensure success

  • communicate with leadership team my role as a UX leader

  • set expectations of the UX team by creating a team vision and mission

  • set quarterly and yearly goals for UX team and individual teams members

  • set metrics for UI changes using analytics

  • set design review, team meetings on a weekly basis

  • implement 1:1 meetings with stakeholders from cross functional teams

  • update 100% of UX deliverables to use a standard templates

Priorities

Top priority for the 2nd month is around implementing the urgent process changes.

  • take action on the most urgent ELT issues

  • update the UX processes and deliverables to reflect desired standards

  • update or implement analytics to track UI

  • setting the goals for the team and individuals

  • communication process for cross team visibility and collaboration

  • review process of UX deliverables; design and research teams

  • update the product development lifecycle with lean UX process

61-90 Days - Up and running - implement change

Focus

In the 3rd month, the focus is on adapting the changes and growing the UX practice.

  • communicate the UX strategy for the company

  • communicate the ROI metrics for UX

  • provide regular status updates on the urgent projects to ELT team

  • review and update UX team goals and regularly report the metrics

  • proposals for any new tools or processes to improve UX function

  • proposals for any UX organization updates

  • budget proposal for UX team; training, tools, headcount

  • roadmap for UX improvements; 6-12 month

  • regular communication with ELT and stakeholders

Goals

Using SMART - set the goals and metrics for UX moving forward

  • updates on 100% of urgent projects

  • track and report on the ROI for UX metrics

  • groom the backlog of UX stories for product teams

  • track the quarterly and yearly metrics for UX team goals

  • review the metrics for UX team members

  • 100% of product teams using UX lean process

  • 100% of UX Epics and stories tracked

  • 100% of UI changes tracked with analytic tools

  • tracking 100% of UX improvements; before and after

  • status tracking on funding for UX team budget requests

Priorities

Top priority for the 3rd month is focused on implementing change and seeing growth

  • UX strategy for the company; communicated across the organizations

  • measuring ROI of UX

  • intake of urgent ELT issues - prioritize and plan of action process

  • tracking goals for UX team and team members

  • consistent UX process and deliverables

  • UX deliverables tracked with tools for visibility and planning as part of product lifecycle

  • planning for future UX improvements; team, members and company