Streamlining processes through thoughtful Product Design

How might we develop tools at Starbucks that improve collaboration, streamline processes, improve communication, and contribute to the overall growth and success of the organization?

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Overview

As the Lead Digital Product Designer, I led a team of designers, engineers, and product managers in the strategic deprecation of legacy platforms at Starbucks. The primary objective was to plan, design, and implement new products that streamline internal processes, enhance collaboration, and contribute to the overall growth and success of Starbucks.

My responsibilities include developing a roadmap for the future, managing a team of designers and vendors, creating design concepts, building a new design system and overseeing the implementation of the final design.

Problem

Starbucks faced challenges with outdated, disparate systems that hindered efficiency, communication, and data sharing across the organization. These legacy platforms were costly to maintain, impeded real-time decision-making, and negatively impacted employee productivity and customer experience.

Process

To address the challenges and create a more efficient working environment, our team undertook a systematic approach the transformation. Our comprehensive strategy was built on a deep understanding of user needs and extensive collaboration across departments.

The following five-step process outlines the methodology we employed to deliver this successful transition:

Assessment
We conducted a comprehensive assessment of the existing systems, identifying key pain points, limitations, and inefficiencies. We collaborated with stakeholders across departments to understand their needs and gather insights into their daily workflows
Strategy
After gathering insights, we created a phased roadmap to sunset the legacy platforms and prioritize the development of new products. We defined measurable success criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and align with Starbucks' overall business objectives.
Design & Prototyping
Our design team employed user-centered design principles to create intuitive interfaces, focusing on usability, accessibility, and scalability. We developed prototypes, conducted user testing, and iterated on designs based on feedback from stakeholders and end-users.
Implementation
Working closely with the engineering team, we ensured seamless integration of the new products with existing systems, while adhering to industry best practices and security standards.
Rollout & Adoption
We devised a comprehensive change management plan that included training and support materials to aid employees in transitioning to the new platforms. This facilitated a smooth adoption process, reducing the learning curve and potential resistance to change.

Outcomes

The successful deprecation of legacy platforms and implementation of new products resulted in:

Enhanced collaboration and communication across departments
Streamlined workflows and increased productivity
Improved data accuracy and real-time access to critical information
Reduced maintenance costs and resource allocation for outdated systems, resulting in a cost savings of $540k per promotion, per quarter
Strengthened Starbucks' ability to adapt to market changes and deliver exceptional customer experiences

This project exemplified the power of user-centered design and cross-functional collaboration in driving organizational growth and success.

Joining Starbucks as a Lead Digital Product Designer at a transformative time allowed me to use my skills and expertise to deprecate a legacy system and create internal tools that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the marketing team. The success of these projects will continue to contribute to the overall growth and success of Starbucks for years to come.