Design Systems Iteration and Feedback Checklist.

15 June 2023
Complex design systems often require improvements. Let’s walkthrough a checklist of ways you can improve your design system through iteration and feedback.


☑ Utilizing Analytics and Metrics:
One of the key ways design managers can leverage data is by collecting analytics and metrics on how the design system is being used. This data can include user interactions, component usage, and design implementation time. By analyzing these metrics, design managers can identify pain points, patterns, and areas for improvement within the design system.


☑ Conducting User Research and Testing:
Gathering direct feedback from users, including designers, developers, and other stakeholders, is essential in understanding how the design system performs in real-world scenarios. Conducting user research and usability testing can unveil insights into usability issues, confusion with component usage, and uncover opportunities for enhancement.


☑ Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams:
Design managers should foster collaboration with cross-functional teams, encouraging open communication and sharing experiences with the design system. Engaging in regular meetings and feedback sessions can create an environment where team members feel comfortable providing input and suggestions for improvement.


☑ Identifying Pain Points and Bottlenecks:
Data analysis and user feedback can help identify pain points and bottlenecks within the design and development process. Whether it's a component that's challenging to implement or an inefficient workflow, addressing these pain points can significantly impact the team's productivity and overall satisfaction.


☑ Iterative Updates and Releases:
Based on the data and feedback gathered, design managers can plan iterative updates and releases for the design system. Instead of big-bang overhauls, gradual improvements can be made, reducing the risk of major disruptions and allowing teams to adapt smoothly.


☑ Setting Measurable Goals:
To ensure the design system's progress is measurable, design managers should establish clear goals aligned with the organization's objectives. These goals can be related to improving component reusability, reducing design and development time, or enhancing overall user satisfaction.


☑ Encouraging A/B Testing and Experiments:
A/B testing and experiments can provide valuable insights into which design choices and components resonate best with users. By comparing different versions of components or layouts, design managers can make data-driven decisions to optimize the design system's performance.


☑ Feedback Loops for Continuous Improvement:
Design managers should establish feedback loops within the design and development teams. Regularly seeking feedback and acting upon it creates a culture of continuous improvement, where the design system evolves based on real-world experiences and needs.


☑ Regular Documentation and Training:
Documenting design system updates and providing training for team members ensures everyone is on the same page regarding changes and enhancements. Proper documentation helps avoid confusion and promotes consistency in design and development practices. For more detailed info related to design system documentation check out “Importance of Documentation: A Central Source of Truth for Design Systems”.


A data-driven and feedback-centric approach to managing the design system empowers design managers to make informed decisions that lead to a more efficient and effective design and development process. By leveraging analytics, user research, and cross-functional collaboration, design managers can identify pain points, set measurable goals, and plan iterative updates to continually enhance the design system. The establishment of feedback loops and the promotion of open communication ensures a culture of continuous improvement, where the design system evolves in response to user needs and market demands. Embracing data and feedback as valuable assets in the design management toolkit enables design managers to create a design system that not only streamlines the workflow but also results in exceptional user experiences and product success.

Styles come and go. Good design is a language, not a style. –Massimo Vignelli, Italian Designer