What Is DesignOps?

Introduction

Design operations (DesignOps, as it has recently been nicknamed) is not a new concept, but one that is definitely new to digital products. This report is limited to the context of digital products from pure web applications and services, to places where digital systems integrate in part or in whole with physical, spatial, and service ecologies. Together we will learn what DesignOps is in this context, what it isn’t, and the patterns for using DesignOps to generate more value from your design practice for your organization and customers.

In this report, you’ll learn:

• Why DesignOps has made such a strong rise recently

• The breadth and depth of DesignOps

• How DesignOps helps any design practice amplify its value

• How to understand a design practice’s current operational model

• How to assess DesignOps’ effectiveness in meeting goals

What Is Operations?

Before we can really get into DesignOps, we first need to understand operations more generally. While I’m not an expert on the role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), I have had roles and positions—including startup founder and event producer—that have forced me to think like a COO from time to time.

Simply put, operations is:

The collection of people, activities, services, and partners; the systems that support those people, activities, services, and partners; and general systems that provide direct value to the organization and its customers. If they really are successful, they do more ...