Radical Collaboration Requires Friction: Siberia's Lessons from a Client Rebuild
An essay on DesignObserver by a writer from the design firm Siberia discusses a year-end client call that exposed a significant failure in a major project. The client dismantled and reworked a crucial portion of their largest initiative without the knowledge of Siberia's leadership, despite having integrated teams and shared Slack channels. The piece warns against 'radical collaboration' devoid of necessary friction, advocating for a balance that fosters honesty. It presents ten insights from fifteen years of experience, comprising five 'DO's' and five 'DON'Ts,' such as gaining access to high-level discussions, approaching intricate design like surgery, and prioritizing an understanding of constraints. The writer emphasizes the importance of execution.
Key facts
- A significant portion of Siberia's largest initiative was scrapped and rebuilt by the client without Siberia's knowledge.
- The discovery was made during a year-end retrospective call with a Chief Design Officer client.
- Siberia's team was embedded with the client, sharing Slack channels and attending standups.
- The project appeared healthy by all measures: approval gates cleared, deliverables accepted.
- The author believes no one wanted to stress test the work or break up the good vibes.
- Siberia has leaned into collaboration for fifteen years.
- The essay lists 10 lessons: five DOs and five DON'Ts.
- The author argues radical collaboration requires preserving friction that keeps everyone honest.
Entities
Institutions
- Siberia
- DesignObserver