Welcome to Open Design Docs, a project by Jason Culbertson. With over two decades of experience at companies like Microsoft, Airbnb, Cameo, and Linktree, I wanted to share the docs that I use daily as a VP of Design. Please contact me if you have any feedback.
Leadership Docs
Day 1
Leadership Blueprint- Define your leadership style and vision
- Set clear, achievable goals for your first three months
Week 1-2
Getting to Know You- Build rapport with your team through structured 1:1s
Month 1
Design Team Levels / Titles- Clarify roles within the team
- Establish skill expectations and growth paths
Quarter 1
Self Evaluation- Use the Level Competencies for self-assessment and growth planning
- Encourage team members to set and achieve quarterly goals
Quarter 2
Individual Assessment- Use the Level Competencies to compare/contract assessments for growth planning
- Develop a strategic roadmap for career development
Leaving a team/company
Transition Plan- Ensure a smooth transition with comprehensive handover documents
Team Docs
Design Team
Sprint Docs- Streamline your design sprints with structured templates
- Simplify project estimation and resource allocation
Product Team
Product Spec- Clearly outline product requirements and expectations
- Ensure all stakeholders are aligned from the start
- Summarize project goals and progress for quick reference
- Regularly assess product development to stay on track
Recruiting
Job Descriptions (JDs)- Standardized job descriptions for seamless hiring
- Structured questions for panel interviews