Created a Planning Framework to Keep a Growing Team Aligned
Reduced design development time by 34%
When I helped a corporate innovation team at Dell build out a new design function, they had the right people and plenty of ideas but no clear way to plan their work, track progress, or forecast future needs. Without structure, projects overlapped, deadlines slipped, and budgets were hard to defend.
The Challenge
The team was responsible for developing tools and systems that other departments relied on, yet they lacked a simple framework to organize priorities and manage resources. Partners weren’t sure when to expect updates, and leadership couldn’t see how the team’s work connected to business goals.
What I Did
I built a clear, easy-to-use planning system that helped the team see all their work in one place, what was in progress, what was coming next, and how much time and money each project would take.
Working with the design director, I created a simple framework that organized every project into four categories, each with clear goals, timelines, and budgets. Using Excel, I built a forecasting tool that broke projects down by quarter and showed the true cost of each initiative.
I then connected the planning tool to the team’s scheduling system so everyone could see when projects started, how long they would run, and when results would be delivered. Finally, I created a visual roadmap that helped leadership quickly understand how the team’s work aligned with larger company goals and funding cycles.
The Outcome
The new planning model became the foundation for how the team organized and delivered their work. It gave them a clear way to prioritize projects, plan ahead, and manage growth without burning out. Everyone, from leadership to individual contributors, could see what was coming and when to expect results.
Leaders finally had visibility into long-term plans and upcoming design updates.
Teams could align their schedules around new releases instead of reacting at the last minute.
The innovation group could manage workloads more effectively and plan future hiring with confidence.
Industry data shows that teams with structured planning and well-defined systems are up to 30% more efficient and deliver more consistent results. By building a simple, scalable framework, we helped this team work smarter, stay organized, and sustain their momentum.