Five principles of collaboration

The secret of a great design agency/client relationship is collaboration, but good collaboration takes a lot more than just regular…

The secret of a great design agency/client relationship is collaboration, but good collaboration takes a lot more than just regular meetings. Katie Buchanan shares her tips for efficient, effective and damn brilliant working relationships between design and product teams.

By Katie Wishlade, Partner, Wilson Fletcher

The secret of a great design agency/client relationship is collaboration, but good collaboration takes a lot more than just regular meetings. Undoubtedly, the best work we do is when we have smart clients who know their business inside-out and are comfortable taking the same approach as we do to collaboration. We have a few basic principles that underpin this approach.

1. Learn by doing

We believe that people need to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges in order to really learn. You can know and understand the best methods and tools but if you can’t apply them intelligently, it means nothing.

2. One approach does not fit all

Each and every design challenge differs, requiring a slightly nuanced approach. We don’t believe in process, but a tailored approach based on each particular set of needs. One process certainly does not fit all.

3. Pushing frameworks and toolkits on design teams rarely works

It’s almost impossible to embed a process from the outside in. Organisations need to create and continually iterate on their own process. Pushing frameworks and toolkits on design teams rarely yields the best possible results.

4. Collaboration is not design by committee

We believe that the key to effective collaboration is involving the right people at the right time. Not everyone needs to be involved in every decision and the art of effective teamwork is knowing the roles and strengths of each individual.

5. Tangible outcomes build momentum

The best way to build momentum and demonstrate value for a partnership programme is to build brilliant, tangible things, quickly. This is simply the best way to increase the confidence of internal teams and visibility across the business.