remember that time in 2021 when we all quit our jobs in search of greener pastures? if you were part of the great resignation, you might be feeling nostalgic for your old gig lately. similarly, if you lost your dream job in the waves of restructuring that swept the tech industry in 2022 and 2023, it’s only natural to wonder about returning.

welcome to the wild world of “boomeranging.”

named after the ancient hunting tool used by aboriginal australians, boomerang employees are those who leave a job (whether by choice or not), then return later. it’s surprisingly common in industries like manufacturing or retail, where at least a quarter of new hires are actually returning employees. in tech, it’s less common – about 14% of techies are boomerangs, according to a 2019-2022 analysis published in harvard business review.

most organizations (roughly 70%) are open to rehiring past employees, and some proactively weave it into their recruiting approach. a raise or perks like greater flexibility might even be on the table for returning employees. with that in mind, boomeranging starts to look like a legit career advancement strategy, or at least a solid option when it’s time for (another) change.

should you hop back over the fence in the hopes the grass will truly be greener this time? put down roots where you are? or move to a different employer altogether? this is a guide to thinking through that decision, and, if you decide to make the leap back, how to do it well.

to boomerang, or not to boomerang: that is the question

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reasons for returning to an employer are as varied as the reasons for leaving in the first place: higher pay, better benefits, career development, and culture are most common. but the overarching theme is that the new job simply didn’t live up to expectations. according to the analysis mentioned above, this realization sets in right around the one-year mark for most boomerangers. the trick is not to look back at your old job through rose-colored glasses.

making a list of pros and cons helps overcome that nostalgia bias. the simple act of putting your thoughts in writing forces you to clarify your thinking. that list also becomes a touchstone you can refer back to in moments of doubt. (when you’re feeling torn, it can be hard to keep everything straight in your head, and this is no time to accidentally gaslight yourself.)

as you compare the reasons you left against the reasons you’re tempted to return, be sure to cover these five areas.

1. logistics: what are the expectations around in-office vs. 2022足球世界杯分组赛程表 ? how about schedule flexibility to accommodate your lifestyle and family obligations? in a recent survey, atlassian found that 25% of workers with location flexibility still feel pressured to show up in the office, lest they be viewed as less productive. if you strongly prefer flexible work, talk with a few people to get a sense of what the vibe really is.
2. tools and practices: while 71% of workers work remotely at least once a week, only 51% say they’re provided with remote collaboration tools, so be sure to inquire about this. and do teams get support and training so they can actually unlock the full power of these tools? aside from the technology, our distributed world also requires updated practices around goal clarity and connecting with the right people to move work forward – another point to investigate.
3. compensation: remember to look at the total package, not just the salary. take benefits like health coverage and vacation time into account, as well as the potential for bonuses. what about professional development opportunities like conferences and online courses? do they offer childcare assistance? complimentary meals in the cafeteria or super-good snacks in the kitchen? (hey, free food adds up!)
4. growth potential: recruiters may talk up how fast the company is growing and how new leadership roles are being created all the time. which might be true! on the other hand, this is something that is both easy to promise and easy to renege later. but there are lots of other ways to grow, too. what about the potential for lateral moves that broaden your experience? or juicy projects that give your expertise more depth? just be sure to gut-check what you’re hearing now against what you observed the first time around.
5. agency: the grass might be greener on the other side of the fence, but can you “water the grass” where you are now? also, what sort of agency did you have at your old job? remember that things will have changed since you left and you may or may not be empowered to change them back to your liking. trust – how confident are you that executives are steering the organization in the right direction? can you take them at their word? consider how many c-suites declared in 2020 that 2022足球世界杯分组赛程表 and dei programs and sustainability would always be a core part of their company…then consider what’s happened since. this isn’t to say that policies should be treated like blood-oaths – organizations have to adapt to shifting external forces all the time. but if changes in strategy or policy left a bad taste in your mouth the first time around, that’s a red flag.

some of these categories will carry more weight for you than others. that’s fine. acknowledging which areas are more or less important is part of being honest with yourself.

james dumay, a product manager at atlassian from 2011 to 2014, decided to give boomeranging a try, pursuing a role as pm on a product that didn’t even exist when he left. “people i knew from before were talking so passionately about it, i got interested right away,” he says. in weighing his options, it ultimately came down to an intangible factor: joy. “it was like, which one is going to be more fun?” (spoiler alert: he got the job and loves it.)

nailing the boomerang interview

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even if you’re still well-known around the organization, be prepared to interview for the job. when james decided to go for the new pm role, he reached out to a few contacts at the company and connected with the hiring manager. “we met for coffee a couple times and i got to meet some of the team,” he recalls. “once we felt like it was probably going to be a good fit, however, we did go through a formal interview process.”

highlight the new skills and experiences you’ve gained since you’ve been away, even if they aren’t directly related to the role you’re interested in. if you worked with a new programming language or different accounting standards, that shows you’re a life-long learner who can step outside your comfort zone.

be prepared to navigate questions about why you left before and why you’re looking to leave your current job, too. this might be tricky if some of the reasons you left originally still exist (e.g., lack of flexibility) because you’ll need to explain why you can overlook them now. be truthful, but tactful. you might also be asked how committed you are this time around. convey your sincerity by explaining how the direction of the company aligns with your long-term career goals and values.

but don’t make the interview all about you. ask about what’s changed since you left, such as organizational and team structure, company goals and strategic direction, and programs like 401k matching or employee volunteer time. then bring the conversation around to what it would take for you to hit the ground running. are there skills you should brush up on or changes in the culture you should be aware of?

of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll be rehired. nor is there a guarantee you’ll be told why. try not to look at rejection as a personal failure. feeling frustrated is understandable, but it’s important to stay professional. send a note to the hiring team thanking them for their consideration. and if you’re open to hearing about other opportunities in the future, say so.

if you do get an offer, there’s one more challenge: your salary. the company knows what they paid you before, which may introduce some unconscious bias regarding what you should be paid now. so do your homework. research salary ranges for your role, level, and location. consider talking with multiple companies to get a sense of how strong the demand for your skills is. know your worth and don’t be afraid to negotiate, but remember salary is only one piece of the puzzle.

“your base salary is really important,” says james. “so is the job role itself and what you’ll actually be able to influence. then, does the company have a promising growth trajectory? and will you be part of that?”

getting back into the swing of things

one of the best things about boomeranging is that you’ll already know some of your new colleagues. as you reconnect with them, ask who else you should get to know and make a point to do so. you’ll want to be seen as someone who is open to embracing the new.

be sure to bring a growth mindset to the work itself, too. if you’re stepping back into the role you left, or a related role, some of the practices and procedures will look different. they might’ve even (gasp!) done away with strategies you helped develop or programs you put in place. that can sting. again, professionalism is key. instead of reacting with criticism, ask what led to the change. understanding the reasons why takes the sting away. you might even have ideas for making the new way even better.

you’ve changed, and so has your employer. don’t assume that you’ll slide back into your old rituals and routines. be open to working in new ways, whether it means embracing a new practice your employer adopted in your absence or bringing in fresh ideas inspired by your time away. after all, a mixture of familiarity and novelty is what both you and your old/new employer are looking for.

the post the enterprising employee’s guide to “boomeranging” appeared first on work life by atlassian.

from humble beginnings in 1895, lavazza now operates in over 140 global markets with upwards of 5,500 employees.

in 2019, lavazza realized that it needed to modernize its tools and processes to remain competitive against a growing number of coffee brands. at the time, their demand planning revolved around an outdated practice of spreadsheets and email with no central data set, while business requests were handled manually in word and excel.

to handle this, they partnered with hinto®group which specializes in future-proof solutions by guiding companies through tech adoption. through this strategic partnership, they were able to optimally combine global business and it needs in a highly complex digital environment.

in this blog, we’ll explore how the hinto®group and lavazza partnered to strengthen their tools and processes for the next 100 years of operation.

integrating three worlds into a single ecosystem

lavazza leveraged the hinto®group to help rid them of silos and allow for enterprise-wide visibility, especially across demand planning, business requests, and it enhancement. at this point, all three of these were managed separately on separate tools:

• demand planning: processes were manually entered and entirely managed on excel and email
• business requests: requests were manually entered in word and excel
• it enhancements: this process was managed between respective subscriptions of jira service management and confluence

lavazza’s disconnection resulted in fragmentation and inconsistent terminology across functions leading to long waiting times and slow processes. after a careful assessment, hinto®group identified that lavazza would benefit from integrating all three processes in a single ecosystem on a unified platform.

to optimize lavazza’s transition towards a unified ecosystem, hinto®group conducted an assessment of the enterprise’s needs.

hinto®group identified four key areas to prioritize:

• relationship management across lavazza and its subsidiaries 
• vendor management of external suppliers
• optimizing the use of plugins to contain recurring license costs
• monitoring project performance

with these focus pillars in place, hinto®group also identified specific challenges that could be addressed comprehensively on a unified platform:

• unclear request statuses
• incomplete design workflows
• unstructured, inaccurate kpis and performance metrics
• hard-to-follow communication
• inefficient handling times
• high chance of human error during hand-offs

setting goals for it and business teams

exploring the collaborative pain points and modernization needs of lavazza’s it, marketing, sales, and customer-facing teams, hinto®group came up with these enhancement processes:

• demand planning: structured, automated processes to help with executing marketing requests.
• business requests: clear, standardized specifications allow teams to address daily requests across all digital touchpoints.
• it enhancements: early alignment on expectations to help it teams quickly identify misunderstandings to ultimately reduce time-to-market and improve the quality of output.

step 1: assessment with an expert in service design and itil 

actions taken: 

lavazza and hinto®group held multiple workshops at lavazza’s headquarters where they mapped out a process to handle demand planning, business requests, and it enhancements. during these sessions, they focused on the mapping component while analyzing existing processes.

result: 

through these sessions, they developed a service blueprint depicting the entire service delivery process. the blueprint included a list of all actions to be taken at each stage and related roles identified.

step 2: development

actions taken: 

with the help of hinto®group, lavazza migrated all of its business and technology activities onto the atlassian cloud platform using itil best practices. they also implemented structured, optimized, and integrated projects to the platform for easier management.

result: 

all solutions to handle the needs of demand planning, business requests, and it enhancements were now centralized on the atlassian platform.

step 3: delivery

actions taken: 

once all stakeholders validated the new workflows and features, the new processes were activated while closely monitoring the adoption process.

result: 

after leveraging a heavy strategic change management approach, all lavazza stakeholders were onboarded to their respective systems within the atlassian platform.

step 4: support and review

actions taken: 

closely monitor all tools, processes, and stakeholders across lavazza using the atlassian platform.

result: 

there was better communication, more accessible data, and a “calmer environment” across lavazza. templates streamlined their centralized demand management, and atlassian analytics helped monitor metrics and collaboration.

a collaborative approach to digital transformation

to reach the agreed-upon goals, the project was mapped out over multiple phases consistent in characteristics, specifications, and deliverables. it was to start with a deep assessment and service design stage, followed by a development stage, a delivery stage, and a review stage.

before embarking on the project, lavazza and hinto®group identified atlassian solutions to handle the needs of the it and business teams:

• jira for requirement collections, project management, task management, dashboards, bug tracking, and reporting
• confluence to host a single source of truth, a solutions wiki, project streams, and knowledge management
• jira service management to handle demand management, business request management, sla monitoring, and reporting

lavazza’s achievements by partnering with hinto®group and atlassian

using a strategic partner to help map out and execute their modernization process allowed lavazza to experience immediate results. keeping a close eye on the adoption process, lavazza found:

• a significant reduction in business reports
• enterprise-wide visibility for stakeholders into all aspects of work
• improved collaboration on projects and service requests
• enhanced and efficient sla and kpi monitoring

these achievements highlighted three massive learnings from their modernization process. first, they realized that untangling processes to boost efficiency can be streamlined when teaming up with the right strategic partner. 

from there, and maybe the biggest lesson, they found the importance of having the entire operations work on a centralized platform. this way, even though teams can customize tools to their own processes and workflows, all of the data remains in the same place.

last, they found that jira and confluence, used in tandem, can facilitate better alignment by offering a single source of truth for projects and general operations.

what works for it can work across teams

teams across the globe struggle to overcome enterprise-wide challenges caused by tool sprawl, organizational silos, and outdated processes. the atlassian cloud platform allows teams to integrate tools and processes on a unified data set, allowing teams more time to innovate.

it leaders can empower all teams across their enterprise with jira for work planning and tracking, confluence as the single source of truth for organizational knowledge, and jira service management for request intake and ticket tracking.

structured process transformation is critical to creating a unified, efficient digital environment. with the help of atlassian and hinto®group, lavazza created an integrated system that supports efficiency, visibility, and more. learn more about how our work management tools, jira and confluence, can help unify your teams more effectively.

the post how lavazza modernized digital processes and connected it & business teams appeared first on work life by atlassian.

a work management solution makes this possible, whether you operate in a remote, hybrid, or in-person setup. it helps organizations gain complete visibility into workloads, create reusable workflows that can be applied to different projects, stores content, and helps cross-functional teams stay aligned. in short, a work management platform is a single source of truth for end-to-end company operations. 

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what is work management?

work management is a system that streamlines individual, team-level, and project-based tasks by providing complete visibility and fostering collaboration. an efficient work management system increases 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 , boosts efficiency, and achieves business goals. 

work management is done at an organizational level and includes project management, resource management, task management, time management, and process management. think of it like a meta version of a project. 

in other words, work management includes all the attributes of a successful project—but at a company level. ideally, you have a set of customizable tools that go deeper than all-in-one tools to fulfill your exact needs and cover each element of work management:

• project management is a significant part of work management. it involves a project manager who oversees the scope, team, budget, and deliverables of a project. 
• resource management involves identifying the right people for the right tasks, gaining visibility into their workloads, and scheduling employees in a way that prevents over-allocation and project delays.   
• time management is a way to help teams balance workloads, stay on schedule, and meet deadlines without burning out. the best time management techniques boost 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 while maintaining work-life balance for team members.
• reporting involves tracking different business processes to measure variables like 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 and efficiency. it helps leadership make decisions to improve business processes and remain competitive.

work management vs. project management

if work management sounds a lot like project management, it’s because they’re similar in process but not in scale. a project management life cycle includes planning, scheduling, execution, and analysis to achieve project goals. a work management lifecycle follows a similar process but is broader in scope. it includes multiple projects that are tied to strategic business priorities and long-term goals. plus, it includes every team within an organization, often also including external stakeholders, and is a repetitive process that evolves with the company’s changing needs. 

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stages of a work management process

a work management process includes several stages, each fulfilling a different purpose and moving work forward. 

work identification 

the identification stage is to identify and document the work that needs to be completed, how it will be completed, and the timeline to complete it. it’s important at this stage to be specific and outline the work.   

say a company identifies the need for a marketing campaign in the next quarter. tasks could include blog copy, social copy, a webinar, a bug fix, and a product feature launch—which are all projects that fall under different teams. to get started, a team could use a trello board and adapt it to the specific needs of the campaign. in this case, the team managing this project would create and customize a board to manage information, invite coworkers, set member permissions, and add tasks.  

work planning 

at the planning stage, managers need to forecast the resources they will need, the timelines for the project, and the micro deliverables that will lead to the final deliverable. 

for example, a marketing manager would make a list of the different tasks, match them with skill sets, and identify people within the organization that have the skill sets and availability in the next quarter. let’s say they need copywriters, social media experts, designers, product marketing managers, and developers to cover all the deliverables of the campaign. the manager would then match available resources with the needs of the campaign. this helps managers evaluate whether they have the talent in-house or if they need to upskill team members, and take into account any other projects that also need some of the same resources. confluence templates like project plans and project posters can act as the source of truth for all of this important project information.

work scheduling 

the scheduling stage sets the foundation of a work management process. to create a fail-proof schedule, managers need to first gain complete visibility over the next weeks and even months. then, it’s wise to create buffers in employee schedules to allow them to catch up on tasks if they need to take a sick day, or to create room for breaks, research, and learning. 

for instance, while scheduling designers, a manager could discover that one designer is already assigned to a different project while another has booked pto during a critical deliverable period. the scheduling stage alerts them about this possible clash so they can proactively find a designer from another team or a freelancer for coverage.

work execution 

the execution stage is likely the longest duration of the work management process and when the action begins. with a smooth work management process, team members find it easy to execute tasks on schedule and hit delivery milestones. at this stage, the marketing campaign would be underway, with blog content and social media copy being published at a regular cadence, the product bug has been fixed and announced, and the new feature rollout is ready.

team collaboration is key at this stage, and a tool like jira helps break down information silos keeping all teams – from finance to engineering – aligned on the task at hand. teams can use timeline, list, calendar, or board views in jira to show work in the way that makes the most sense for them and their stakeholders, helping everyone stay aligned and on schedule.

work follow-up 

the work follow-up stage is to monitor progress on tasks, brainstorm about challenges, and communicate delays. things don’t always go as planned. poor planning, inefficient scheduling, and a lack of communication and collaboration can cause tasks to go sideways. the follow-up stage allows managers to resolve bottlenecks, shift deadlines, and document changes. 

let’s imagine that a new feature rollout is unexpectedly delayed, which impacts dependencies. with goals in atlassian home, the team responsible for the delivering the new feature can keep their stakeholders aware of any progress updates by posting a weekly project update.

traditionally, high-stakes communication about work has happened in meetings. but it can be hard to get onto everyone’s calendars, and meetings can disrupt team members from their focus time. loom gives everyone an easy way to share their screen and record a video message, feedback, or project updates without waiting until the next meeting. loom videos can be shared in goals, confluence pages, jira tasks, or anywhere else the team is working.

work analysis 

the work analysis stage is where you refer to the documentation to glean the learnings. work analysis offers insight into both roadblocks and wins so you can brainstorm solutions to problems and create repeatable processes for achievements.

here is where a team would analyze the reasons behind the delay in releasing the new product feature. was it a new team member that needed better onboarding? did a developer get pulled into a different project? was the developer given a thorough product roadmap? depending on the answer to these questions, you can frame the solution and use it for future work management scenarios. 

to do a comprehensive analysis, you need data & reporting features that can provide accurate insights and help you understand the state of work. a tool like jira helps balance and control team workloads, zoom in to get a day-of view, and enables you to do project-specific reporting.

lean on atlassian’s work management tool suite

work management isn’t an easy process, but technology can vastly improve your experience. instead of an all-in-one tool where tasks and details could fall through the cracks, choose a work management platform that includes a set of tools, each with its own superpower. 

atlassian’s work management is one such platform with a tool that covers each aspect of work management, including: 

• communication: enable all team members to quickly and easily share out video messages with updates, feedback, ideas, and analysis. with loom, you can record your screen and camera to reduce the need for meetings or back-and-forth emails. 
• coordination: make it easy for business teams to get a big-picture view of tasks, deadlines, and deliveries. with jira, business teams get a bespoke experience to create and edit tasks, view schedules and workloads, and track the status of work. 
• content: give team members a collaborative storage space where they produce, save, and share deliverables. with confluence, you break down silos, foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration, and move work forward faster. 
• collaboration: provide team members, tasks, tools and a “space” to come together for shared visibility and quick problem-solving. with trello, you get boards, cards, and lists to manage tasks and prioritize projects effortlessly.
• async communication is a way to make sure teams working across locations and time zones have all the information they need to make decisions and move work forward between meetings. video messaging with screen sharing is often the easiest way to communicate complex topics, feedback, and insights asynchronously.

the post a comprehensive guide to work management in 2025 appeared first on work life by atlassian.

at atlassian, we’re constantly innovating to enhance how teams work together. over the past few months, we’ve introduced several confluence features designed to improve collaboration, streamline processes, and keep everyone connected. with tools that let teams centralize knowledge, communicate visually, and manage information effortlessly, these updates were built with one goal in mind: to help you and your team work smarter, faster, and better together, all from one integrated workspace.

whether you’re already using confluence or just starting out, these exciting enhancements will empower your team to work smarter. let’s explore the latest tools that can power up your workflow.

centralize and connect your work using databases

confluence’s new databases helps you consolidate and structure information from the tools your team uses most. use databases to gather and store essential information like supporting documents, notes, and reference files, creating a searchable knowledge base that’s accessible to everyone working on your projects. 

import jira issues, link confluence pages, or create new content directly in your database — all in one customizable, easy-to-manage space. keeping everything connected and accessible in one location minimizes search time and allows team members to quickly locate what’s needed for each task or goal. and with real-time syncing, your team always has access to the latest data.

customizable layouts — like tables, cards, or boards — allow you to organize data according to their needs. you can also use sorting and filtering options to create personalized views for different teams, stakeholders, or leadership. this flexibility keeps everyone focused on key details, speeding up workflows and improving cross-team collaboration.

databases are also ideal for tracking long-term projects and managing recurring tasks. structured, centralized data storage lets you quickly refer to past projects, boosting efficiency and planning.

communicate clearly using loom videos

confluence now integrates with loom, allowing your team to record and share short video messages directly within confluence pages. whether you’re explaining a design, giving feedback, or walking through a process, loom makes it easy to skip lengthy text explanations and communicate visually in seconds.

embedding loom videos directly into confluence adds valuable context to your work, encouraging more dynamic discussions and boosting team engagement. visual explanations help team members quickly grasp complex topics, reducing the need for follow-up meetings and minimizing miscommunication. from quick summaries to detailed tutorials, loom helps capture information in a way that text alone often can’t convey.

using loom within confluence is especially helpful for asynchronous teams. video communication helps remote and distributed teams stay connected and collaborate seamlessly, regardless of their schedule. members in different time zones can catch up on updates or instructions at their convenience and add real-time reactions or notes. 

loom also lets users create video responses or threaded comments directly within confluence, keeping feedback organized and reducing back-and-forth communication. this dynamic feedback loop ensures clarity and easy access to all contributions.

seamlessly import content from notion

bringing all your content together is now simpler with confluence’s notion importer. bulk import content, users, and workspaces from notion into confluence in just a few steps — no more tedious copy-pasting. the importer preserves original formats like lists, headings, and attachments, giving your teams a familiar look and feel so they can quickly adapt and maintain consistency.

the notion importer also reduces time spent on manual adjustments by automatically structuring your notion data to fit confluence. this means everything from checklists to project notes appears just as it did in notion, so teams can start collaborating immediately without time-consuming setup.

quickly categorize and tag imported content within confluence for added organization and improved navigation. with filtering and search options, you can easily access key insights and monitor changes to specific projects.

by importing content into confluence, your team gains a single, accessible source of truth. consolidating project notes, documents, and tasks increases visibility and alignment so teams collaborate more effectively. this centralized approach makes it easier to track progress, set priorities, and make well-informed decisions.

keep your jira status updates front and center

stay on top of your jira projects without leaving confluence. by embedding real-time jira boards, backlogs, dashboards, gadgets, and releases into your confluence pages, your team gains a comprehensive view of project status. this integration allows everyone — from developers to marketing teams — to track progress, ask questions, and give feedback all in one convenient place. 

for teams handling complex projects, integrating jira and confluence provides clarity and transparency. with embedded jira updates in confluence, every contributor can quickly check key milestones, dependencies, and blockers. visibility promotes proactive planning and helps teams address challenges early so they can stay on track.

live updates from jira automatically sync with confluence (and vice versa), so your team always has access to the latest project information without needing to switch between tools. this integration saves time and enables faster responses to project changes and issues, ultimately speeding up delivery timelines and helping you achieve project goals with fewer roadblocks.

confluence just keeps getting better

these new features are just a glimpse of how we’re continuing to evolve confluence for your team’s success. by integrating these tools into your workflow, you can simplify processes, improve collaboration, and ensure your team stays connected.

with confluence’s innovative features, your team has everything it needs to tackle projects efficiently, share ideas, and quickly adapt to changes. ready to experience the benefits? try confluence today.

the post take team collaboration to new heights with the latest confluence features appeared first on work life by atlassian.

in today’s fast-paced tech landscape, adaptability is no longer a luxury but a necessity. globally, we are witnessing a profound transformation in how technology and design come together to address real human problems in powerful ways.

as designers, we have both the opportunity and responsibility to shape this next decade of evolution—not just responding to change, but actively leaning into it.

1. evolution of product design: how far have we come

two decades ago, product design was often an afterthought—a cosmetic touch-up to existing ideas. this was the “lipstick-on-the-pig” era when designers were brought in at the end to “make it pretty,” focusing solely on typography, color, and layout without considering the deeper problems. design was disconnected from business/product strategy, and the most exciting work was typically found in agencies, leaving in-house design a distant second.

everything changed in 2007 with the iphone. it wasn’t just another product; it was a seismic shift that redefined the importance of intuitive user experience and sophisticated design. apple’s meticulous focus on the end-to-end journey—from unboxing to the seamless integration of hardware and software set a new benchmark. the app store revolutionized how we accessed consumer products, establishing a new standard that required a structured approach with apple’s human interface guidelines as the foundation for consistency. this era proved that good design is indeed good business, transforming the roles of designers, engineers, product managers, and marketers in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

2010s: design // becomes a driving force

the iphone didn’t just revolutionize mobile devices—it democratized access to information, opening the door for an entirely new generation of digital products. the 2010s were a transformative decade for design as we saw the rise of iconic platforms like airbnb, instagram, and uber, which quickly became essential parts of our daily lives. these disruptors proved that innovative product experience, driven by user-centric thinking, could reshape entire industries. 

meanwhile, companies that failed to adapt—like blockbuster, kodak, and borders were left behind, overtaken by nimble upstarts like netflix, instagram, and amazon – who leveraged technology and design to deliver superior experiences and enduring value. 

the lesson is clear: evolve or be disrupted.

2010s: design // thinking goes mainstream

another key milestone in the evolution of craft-focused, small-“d” “design” was the mainstream adoption of design thinking, championed by institutions like ideo and stanford’s d.school. this inclusive approach expanded the role of strategy-driven, capital-”d” “design” beyond aesthetics, involving non-designers in crafting user experiences. enterprise companies began to realize the transformative power of design, reimagining their clunky enterprise software into consumer-grade experiences that became a competitive advantage. 

i was fortunate to be part of this movement at sap, co-founding the apphaus (a think-take innovation center) that transformed enterprise products. sap, along with companies like ibm, cisco, and google, reimagined the design of enterprise products and elevated it from second-class citizen to a critical driver of business success.

2010s: design // skills broaden

this decade was a remarkable period for design innovation, with breakthroughs like responsive and mobile-first design redefining user interaction across devices. the emergence of design systems streamlined experiences, allowing for scalable, unified interfaces. and the rise of minimalism and flat design made me, for one, particularly glad to bid farewell to skeuomorphic design. wearable technology began to integrate into our daily routines, and voice ui marked the beginning of hands-free, natural language interactions. 

while technology and engineering often steal the spotlight in discussions around these types of innovation, it’s essential to recognize that design has been in the driver’s—or at least co-driver’s—seat in generating these disruptive transformations that have reset expectations for acceptable product experiences.

as designers, we’ve broadened and elevated our skillsets beyond our core design craft to encompass systems thinking, design thinking, user research, content design and overlapping aspects of cross-functional collaboration (roadmapping, qa testing, etc.).

as a result, we cemented our roles as integral partners alongside engineering and product teams. this shift established the expectation that designers now influence and contribute throughout the entire product lifecycle.

2020s: design // literacy is widespread

fast forward to the 2020s, and it’s clear that design has firmly established itself as a core competency in product development. we’ve reached a point where shipping a product without embedded design would be unthinkable. the epd (engineering, product, and design) triad is now industry standard, not because it’s a trend, but because we have tangible proof that it works. the real litmus test? design literacy among roles like product managers, engineers, data scientists, and researchers has significantly increased, thanks to the collective effort we’ve made to demonstrate design’s impact. 

in short, product design is here to stay. 

looking back on the past two decades, i see incredible progress, but that doesn’t mean we can rest on our achievements. 

like waves in the ocean, there’s always another one coming—a set of new challenges and opportunities that will require us to continue evolving and pushing the boundaries.

2. key tech trends: the waves that will define the next decade

key trends shaping the future of product design are like waves—building momentum and power as they approach. we need to be ready to catch and ride them. 

before diving in, let me offer a few disclaimers: this is not an exhaustive list, but these are the trends that stand out to me as being particularly impactful for the future of design. i didn’t invent these ideas; many brilliant minds in tech are constantly looking around the corner, and i’ve synthesized a lot of that thinking here. these trends may seem obvious, but the value lies in how we position ourselves to harness their potential. 

trend #1: the data tsunami in the age of affordable quantum computing

the first trend shaping the future of product design is what i think of as the data tsunami in the age of affordable quantum computing. this isn’t just a wave—it’s a tidal force, with data being generated at unprecedented levels from every interaction, both active and passive, across all aspects of life. as quantum computing becomes more accessible, the instrumentation of everything we touch becomes the norm, flooding us with deep, complex data. 

the challenge for us as designers is to navigate this flood of information with intentionality. it’s no longer about simply collecting data; we must blend analytical understanding with creative intuition, ensuring our decisions are data-informed rather than blindly data-driven.

as adam grant recently said, “the hallmark of expertise is no longer how much you know. it’s how well you synthesize.” in an age of information overload, the ability to recognize patterns and connect the dots is far more critical than just accumulating facts. the future of design will demand this deeper understanding—knowing how to ask the right questions, combine qualitative insights with quantitative data, and refine our instincts to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

trend #2: the ai effect

the next wave shaping product design is the ai effect. this one is no rogue wave; we’ve seen it building with increasing force. and it’s here for good. 

ai, combined with the explosion of data, is unlocking groundbreaking creative possibilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. 

• ai-generated campaigns, like the midjourney-powered ad for gucci by a content creator (not by the brand), showcase the limitless individual creative potential massively outpacing what sizeable teams could do in the past.
• wes anderson-style renditions of beloved franchise harry potter highlight ai’s ability to reimagine storytelling. the creative possibilities are endless.

ai-driven tools are also revolutionizing 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 by cutting production time from months to minutes, significantly accelerating workflows and transforming how knowledge workers manage day-to-day tasks. the impact on 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 is unprecedented. 

• check out adobe sensei automating and enhancing the design process, making creativity faster and more accessible.

• we have all seen chatgpt, perplexity and several other ai tools continually transforming how we write, converse, and brainstorm ideas over the past few years.
• at atlassian, our ai is deeply integrated into all our tools, making tasks like summarizing a long doc or explaining acronyms a daily norm, boosting 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 in ways i couldn’t have anticipated for myself. 
• another daily favorite of mine is loom ai which saves me a ton of time by automating video editing, turning my looms into docs or tasks, and is my go to hack to boost my personal 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 .

ai is also democratizing product creation—people without design or engineering backgrounds are now able to build 0-to-1 products with ease. this will necessitate as designers to be better taste makers by differentiate through experience, brand, and storytelling.

but here’s the key: ai is just another tool—one that enhances, rather than replaces, our creative capabilities. as designers, we must embrace ai for the acceleration it offers, using it to craft the next generation of products that stand out in a crowded marketplace. 

how do you get started? though it may seem daunting, it’s actually quite simple: go play! there’s a tool for every interest! dive into an ai powered tool in a space that you are passionate about, and explore how capabilities are evolving. start crafting experiences whether at work or for your personal creativity. by embracing these tools and integrating them into your toolkit and your daily workflow, you’ll unlock 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 and new ways to innovate and push the boundaries of design.

trend #3: the interconnectedness of products

the next trend builds on the power of data and ai: the interconnectedness of products. as tools continue to proliferate, there will be a growing need for a layer that makes sense of and connects these products—a layer of true interconnectedness. this is where ai assistants or agents come in, seamlessly integrating and managing information across all the products we interact with, creating a unified experience for our personal, professional, and family lives.

these ai-driven systems are set to become indispensable, enhancing 世界杯欧洲预选赛直播平台 and embedding themselves into our everyday routines in ways that once seemed like science fiction. however, this shift also brings challenges: privacy concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the risk of over-reliance on ai could impact our cognitive abilities and social dynamics, manifesting as critical user experience problems to be solved. 

despite these challenges, the adoption of ai assistants is a trend that cannot be overlooked. the global market for ai assistants is projected to reach $71.42 billion by 2031, growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (cagr) of 22.18%​. this growth underscores the urgency for designers and technologists to harness ai’s potential while addressing its complexities, shaping it into a tool that empowers rather than overwhelms.

trend #4: a deluge of next-gen-experience tech 

in today’s fast-paced world, design is no longer just about aesthetics—it’s the driving force behind innovation and survival.

countless technological trends are set to shape the future of product design, each redefining user experiences. immersive technologies like ar/vr and mixed reality will transform how we engage with digital spaces. universal digital currencies will enable seamless, borderless transactions, while advancements like 3d bioprinting and the internet of medical things (iomt) will revolutionize healthcare, shifting the focus from treating illness to enhancing wellness. smart city solutions and green technology integration are set to improve urban living and drive sustainability. and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

at the core of next generation innovations lies one crucial factor – the user experience solving real human problems or opportunities that will ultimately determine the adoption and impact of these technologies.

the reality we must face is that tech layoffs and the displacement of some roles by ai are indeed happening. but even as we navigate these challenges, we can’t lose sight of the opportunities ahead. for designers, creativity remains our most valuable asset. this moment presents an incredible chance to play to our strengths to craft the next generation of experiences.

trend #5: the designpreneur boom

one of the most exciting trends shaping the future of product design is the designpreneur boom—a wave of designers redefining entrepreneurship by founding successful startups. we’ve already seen industry giants like brian chesky and joe gebbia (airbnb), evan sharp (pinterest) and char hurley (co-founder of youtube) demonstrate the incredible potential of design-led companies. these founders didn’t just focus on design craft; they broadened their skills to include marketing, engineering, research, and business acumen. some of these designpreneurs co-founded with others who had these important complementary skills.

take dylan field, for example. he gathered hands-on knowledge across disciplines (product design, engineering, marketing, data analytics, research etc.) that gave him a powerful holistic understanding and toolkit to build figma into a billion-dollar company. this is super inspiring!

this trend highlights a key takeaway—designers who expand their skill sets beyond traditional craft are uniquely positioned for entrepreneurial success. if we want to see more design-founded startups, our educational institutions need to evolve, integrating interdisciplinary learning that includes technology, business, and leadership training. 

but don’t wait for formal education to catch up—self-education and hands-on experiences are just as critical. as the future unfolds, i hope we’ll see even more designpreneurs shaping the next generation of innovation. let’s turn mockups into unicorns.

the future of product design in tech

the future of product design is filled with both exciting opportunities and inevitable challenges. as technology continues to evolve rapidly, it’s clear that some jobs will be replaced or redefined.

as designers, we can approach these changes from an empowered place. instead of fearing the shifts, we can embrace them knowing that we have exciting possibilities to influence and drive the next generation of product experience.

the need for thoughtful, impactful design will only grow, and those of us willing to adapt will be at the forefront of this transformation.

the post the future roadmap – navigating the next decade as a product designer in tech appeared first on work life by atlassian.