The (Re)Design: Embracing Change in Design Series

This article is part of the The (Re)Design: Embracing Change in Design series. You can find the complete list of articles in the series at the end.

Introduction

(Re)Designing a product, service, or experience can be a complex and challenging undertaking, fraught with potential pitfalls and obstacles. Even with the best intentions and the most careful planning, redesign projects can encounter unexpected setbacks, delays, and resistance from stakeholders and users alike.

In this chapter, we will explore some of the most common challenges that can arise during the redesign process and strategies for overcoming them. By understanding and anticipating these challenges, designers can be better prepared to navigate the complex and often unpredictable waters of redesign and to create solutions that are not only effective and efficient but also widely adopted and embraced by users.

Challenge 1: Resistance to Change

One of the most common challenges in the redesign is resistance from stakeholders and users to change. People are often reluctant to embrace new and unfamiliar designs, especially if they have grown accustomed to the existing solution and have developed ingrained habits and workflows around it.

Build Trust

To overcome this challenge, designers must work to build trust and buy-in from stakeholders and users throughout the redesign process. This may involve conducting extensive user research and testing to validate design decisions, as well as engaging in ongoing communication and education to help users understand the benefits and rationale behind the redesign.

Gradual Introduction

Designers can also mitigate resistance to change by introducing new features and functionality gradually rather than all at once. By rolling out changes in phases and providing users with ample time and support to adapt to new workflows and interfaces, designers can help to smooth the transition and minimize disruption.

Challenge 2: Scope Creep

Another common redesign challenge is scope creep, or the tendency for project requirements and objectives to expand and evolve. As designers delve deeper into the redesign process, they may uncover new user needs, technical constraints, or business requirements that were not initially apparent, leading to changes in project scope and timeline.

Strong Boundaries

To overcome this challenge, designers must establish clear and well-defined project goals and boundaries from the start and communicate these goals and boundaries to all stakeholders involved in the redesign process.

This may involve creating detailed project plans, setting realistic timelines and budgets, and establishing clear protocols for managing changes and additions to the project scope.

Focus on Core Objectives

Designers can also mitigate scope creep by prioritizing features and functionality based on user needs and business impact and being willing to make trade-offs and compromises when necessary. By staying focused on the core objectives of the redesign and being disciplined in managing the project scope, designers can help keep the project on track and deliver a successful outcome.

Challenge 3: Technical Constraints

A third common redesign challenge is technical constraints or limitations imposed by existing technology platforms, systems, and infrastructures. Redesigning a product or service often involves integrating with legacy systems, navigating complex data architectures, and ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and platforms.

Communication and Research

To overcome this challenge, designers must work closely with technical teams and stakeholders to understand the project's technical landscape and constraints and develop feasible and scalable solutions within those constraints. This may involve extensive technical research and testing, as well as collaborating with developers and engineers to identify creative workarounds and optimizations.

Systematization and Modularity

Designers can also mitigate technical constraints by adopting a modular and flexible design approach, as discussed in Chapter 2. By breaking the redesign down into smaller, self-contained components that can be developed and tested independently, designers can help minimize technical complexity and risk and ensure that the final solution is robust and reliable.

Challenge 4: Resource Limitations

Finally, redesign projects often face challenges related to resource limitations, such as inadequate budgets, staffing constraints, or competing priorities within the organization. Redesigning a complex product or service can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive undertaking, requiring significant investments in research, design, development, and testing. In most cases, this part is usually done in senior/lead positions.

Planning and Budgets

To overcome this challenge, designers must work to build a strong business case for the redesign and demonstrate the project's value and impact to key stakeholders and decision-makers. This may involve conducting cost-benefit analyses, developing detailed project plans and budgets, and aligning the redesign with broader organizational goals and priorities.

External Collaboration

Designers can also mitigate resource constraints by leveraging external partnerships and collaborations, such as working with design agencies, freelancers, or academic institutions to supplement internal capabilities and expertise. By being creative and resourceful in managing project resources, designers can help to ensure that the redesign is completed on time, on budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

In the End

Overcoming the challenges of redesign requires a combination of careful planning, effective communication, and creative problem-solving. By anticipating and preparing for potential obstacles and setbacks, we can help minimize risk and ensure a successful outcome for the redesign project.

The (Re)Design: Embracing Change in Design Series

This article is part of The (Re)Design: Embracing Change in Design series. If you enjoyed this one and want more, here is the complete list in the series:

• Chapter 1: Understanding the Need for (Re)Design

• Chapter 2: The Process of (Re)Design

• Chapter 3: Case Studies: Successful (Re)Designs

• Chapter 4: Overcoming Challenges in (Re)Design

Happy Designing!