How do you keep track of your product design project?

1 Define your scope and objectives

Before you start designing, you need to have a clear understanding of what you are trying to achieve, who you are designing for, and what are the constraints and requirements of your project. You can use tools like project briefs, personas, user stories, and user journeys to define your scope and objectives, and align them with your team and stakeholders. These tools can help you clarify the problem you are solving, the value you are delivering, and the success criteria you are measuring.

2 Organize your files and folders

As you design, you will generate a lot of files and folders, such as sketches, wireframes, mockups, prototypes, assets, and feedback. You need to have a system to organize your files and folders, so that you can easily find, access, and share them. You can use tools like cloud storage, version control, and naming conventions to keep your files and folders tidy and consistent. You can also use tools like style guides, design systems, and component libraries to ensure that your design elements are reusable and coherent.

3 Document your decisions and rationale

Design is not only about creating beautiful and functional products, but also about explaining why and how you made certain decisions and trade-offs. You need to document your decisions and rationale, so that you can justify your design choices, communicate your design intent, and avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. You can use tools like annotations, comments, and notes to document your decisions and rationale, and attach them to your design files or prototypes. You can also use tools like user flows, sitemaps, and wireframes to document your design structure and logic.

4 Share your work and feedback

Design is not a solo activity, but a collaborative one that involves feedback from your team, stakeholders, and users. You need to share your work and feedback, so that you can get input, validation, and improvement suggestions, and also keep everyone informed and engaged. You can use tools like online platforms, presentations, and demos to share your work and feedback, and make them interactive and engaging. You can also use tools like surveys, interviews, and tests to collect feedback from your users, and analyze and synthesize it.

5 Track your tasks and deadlines

Design is not a linear process, but a iterative one that involves multiple tasks and deadlines. You need to track your tasks and deadlines, so that you can prioritize, plan, and execute your work efficiently and effectively. You can use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to track your tasks and deadlines, and assign roles and responsibilities. You can also use tools like milestones, checklists, and reviews to track your progress and quality, and ensure that you meet your expectations and standards.

6 Review and refine your design

Design is not a final product, but a continuous improvement process that involves testing, learning, and iterating. You need to review and refine your design, so that you can deliver a product that meets your users' needs and wants, and also your business goals and values. You can use tools like prototypes, usability tests, and analytics to review and refine your design, and measure its performance and impact. You can also use tools like feedback loops, retrospectives, and lessons learned to review and refine your design process, and identify what worked well and what can be improved.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?