Managing Design Systems: Features & Releases to Roadmaps & Backlogs - Nathan Curtis (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Nathan Curtis

Design System Consultant, Directed Edges

(Day 2/2, talk 01)

TALK: MANAGING DESIGN SYSTEMS, FROM FEATURES AND RELEASES TO ROADMAPS AND BACKLOGS

Making design system features is exciting. But what about managing assignments, tracking tasks, and discussing status? The momentum of emergent tokens and rapid Figma and code prototypes gives way to the dulling rigor of quality and collaboration across designers and developers wanting to operate independently. In order to earn trust and reach success, design systems need to sweat the details together. Managing the work need not be so daunting and tedious.

In this talk, Nathan will demonstrate the process he’s installed and evolved across the design system teams he’s led over the past ten years. Using tools like Asana and Jira, he’ll demonstrate how to organize design system work, record scope, assign and track tasks, and release features over time. Workflow challenges – repetitive reviews, quick tasks amid formal workflows, when to discuss requests – will season the tour. Whether you are a system practitioner considering how you fit or a manager refining a practice, you’ll leave inspired to refine the speed, precision and clarity of your design system process.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40

Find us on social:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq