Design Team: This is How to Properly Onboard!

We all know the feeling of starting something new, that mixture of excitement, uncertainty, and curiosity. When I founded UXCIRCLE, I constantly felt these emotions. Over time, I realized how important it is to provide newcomers to my team with an environment in which they can quickly and safely find their way. Therefore, today I want to talk about an aspect that is particularly close to my heart: onboarding new UXers.

Documentation - Why It's More Than Just a Guide for Us:

In my early days, I often wondered how I could get involved in new teams and projects more quickly. The answer: Clarity through documentation. At UXCIRCLE, we have a documented guide for everything. Not just to help new team members, but also to ensure that our knowledge and experience are accessible and understandable to everyone.

Job Scorecards - Our Compass in the Dynamic World of UX:

Here, I have a simple philosophy: clear expectations lead to clear results. Our job scorecards are not just a list of tasks, but they reflect our vision and mission. They help us ensure that everyone on the team knows their place, their role, and their contribution to the big picture.

What are Job Scorecards?

At their core, job scorecards are an expanded, precise tool for role definition. They go beyond traditional job descriptions by not only clarifying tasks and responsibilities, but also:

• Expected Results: What exactly is expected of the person in this role? What specific goals or milestones should be achieved?

• Competencies and Skills: What specific skills or qualities are necessary to be successful in this role?

• KPIs: How is success measured? What key performance indicators are relevant?

The Application in the Context of UXCIRCLE:

At UXCIRCLE, job scorecards are the backbone of our team building and development. For every UXer, from junior designer to senior UX researcher, we have developed a specific scorecard. This ensures that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them, how their contribution contributes to overall success, and how their progress is measured.

For example, a UX designer's scorecard might list specific projects or deliverables that should be achieved in a quarter, highlight the necessary design tools and techniques, and set KPIs such as "user feedback" or "implementation speed."

Why They Are So Valuable to Us:

Job scorecards not only provide clarity for the individual team member, but also promote team dynamics. When everyone understands each other's roles and expectations, conflicts and overlaps can be minimized. This promotes collaboration and mutual understanding.

"Design as a TEAM" - Our Promise for Collaborative Growth:

With "Design as a TEAM," we didn't just want to bring another product to the market. We wanted to pack our experiences, highs, and lows into something that helps other teams work together and grow together. This product is at the heart of everything we do and embodies our belief that great design comes from great collaboration.

A Few Thoughts to Conclude:

We all remember our first days in a new job, that mixture of excitement and uncertainty. I want every new member of our team to feel immediately part of something bigger, understood, and appreciated. That's what makes our onboarding methodology at UXCIRCLE.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you have any questions or want to learn more about how we do things, I would be happy to hear from you. Ultimately, it is the people and their stories that make the UX world so special.