Tools for DesignOps Managers

tools-for-designops-managers

DesignOps Managers are responsible for ensuring that design teams have the resources they need to be productive. In this article, we’ll share some of the best tools for DesignOps managers, including project management software, resource allocation tools, and more.

 

What is the difference between a Design tool and a DesignOps tool?

Design tools are focused on the creation of visual designs, whereas DesignOps tools are focused on managing the design process. DesignOps tools help to streamline design workflows, optimize team collaboration, and track progress toward design goals.

“Literally everything about a design organization that doesn’t speak to (design) quality. Designers are responsible for the quality; however (quality) is defined. DesignOps is literally responsible for everything else.”

~ Peter Merholz,
Org Design for Design Orgs

Statistically, designers spend 15 hours every week on Design. And the rest of their time goes into managing, organizing, collaborating, and measuring the impact of their Design.

 

Tools for Designers, Design Leaders & DesignOps Managers

There are a lot of different tools out there for design ops managers. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. InVision App: This is a great tool for managing design projects and collaborating with team members.

2. Zeplin: Zeplin is another great tool for managing design projects and collaborating with team members.

3. Adobe Creative Cloud: Adobe Creative Cloud is a must-have for any designer. It includes all the tools you need to create stunning designs, from Photoshop to Illustrator.

4. Sketch: Sketch is a vector drawing and animation software growing in popularity among designers.

5. Balsamiq: Balsamiq is a wireframing tool that’s simple and easy to use, making it perfect for creating quick prototypes.

 

Planning Tools - Plan projects, activities & people

There are a number of great tools out there for DesignOps Managers to help them plan their projects and activities. Here are just a few to begin with:

– Trello: This simple, yet powerful tool helps you keep track of all your project tasks in one place. You can create different boards for different projects, and invite team members to collaborate with you.

Asana: Asana is another great tool for tracking project tasks and progress. It also has some great features for team collaboration, such as enabling team members to leave comments on tasks.

Basecamp: Basecamp is a complete project management tool that includes features for task management, team collaboration, file sharing, and more. It’s a great option if you need a comprehensive solution for managing your design projects.

Execution Tools - Research, Design, or Test

There are a few different types of tools that can be useful for DesignOps managers when it comes to execution. These include tools for research, design, or testing.

Some examples of research tools include Google Analytics and Qualtrics. These tools can help you gather data about your users and their needs. This data can then be used to inform your design decisions.

Design tools such as Sketch and Adobe Photoshop can be used to create high-quality visuals for your product. These visuals can then be tested with users to get feedback about what works and what doesn’t.

Finally, testing tools such as TestFlight and Crashlytics can be used to test your product before it is released to the public. These tools can help you find and fix any bugs that might exist in your product.

Collaboration Tools - Communication & Sharing

There are a variety of tools available to help design managers with collaboration and communication. The most important thing is to find the right tool for your team’s needs.

Some popular options include:

– Slack: A messaging platform that allows for real-time communication and collaboration.

– Google Hangouts: A video conferencing tool that can be used for team meetings, brainstorms, and more.

– Skype: Another video conferencing tool that can be used for both one-on-one and group conversations.

– Basecamp: A project management tool that helps teams keep track of deadlines, assigned tasks, and more.

– Trello: A visual way to manage projects and tasks using boards and cards.

KPI/Impact Measurement Tools

There are a variety of tools available to help DesignOps managers measure the impact of their work. Here are a few of the most popular:

Google Analytics: This tool can be used to track traffic to your design team’s website or blog. You can use it to measure the reach of your designs and to see how visitors interact with your content.

Twitter Analytics: If you’re using Twitter to promote your designs, this tool can help you track the engagement and reach of your tweets. You can see how many people have seen your tweets and how many have clicked on links or shared your content.

Facebook Insights: This tool allows you to track the reach and engagement of your designs on Facebook. You can see how many people have seen your posts and how many have liked, shared, or commented on them.

Instagram Insights: This tool allows you to track the reach and engagement of your designs on Instagram. You can see how many people have seen your posts and how many have liked, shared, or commented on them.

DesignOps Tool - Cubyts vision is to be the hub of the Design life cycle

As a DesignOps Manager, one of your primary goals is to streamline the design process and make it more efficient. To do this, you need to have the right tools in place.

Cubyts is a great tool for managing the design process. It provides a centralized platform for all your design needs, from project management to collaboration and communication. It’s easy to use and has a wide range of features that will help you get the most out of your design team.

To see Cubyts in action, book a demo here.