Project Description

Release date: 2021 - 2022
Role: Manager

During a departmental restructuring, there was a desire to implement new processes to enhance efficiency and productivity. I was asked to support this initiative by helping organize the processes from a UX perspective.

Challanges

The structure of a company often defines the nature of its product development cycle. MAN Truck and Bus originally has a mechanical background, which has significantly influenced its development structure. With the launch of the new TGX in 2021, the company introduced a fully digital cluster and infotainment system for the first time in its history. This shift represented a significant change in the development process and introduced several new challenges.

Among these challenges was the integration of digital technologies into traditionally mechanical workflows, which required extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration. Teams accustomed to mechanical engineering had to rapidly adapt to new digital processes, creating a demand for specialized training and upskilling programs. Additionally, ensuring reliability and user-friendliness of complex digital interfaces posed new UX/UI design challenges.

Another major challenge involved establishing agile development practices in an environment previously dominated by sequential, mechanical-oriented methodologies. Agile approaches necessitated quicker iteration cycles, continuous testing, and closer alignment between software developers, designers, and mechanical engineers.

Furthermore, the company faced the task of maintaining strict safety and regulatory standards while innovating with digital technologies, a complex process requiring meticulous coordination between departments. The need to manage cybersecurity risks and ensure robust digital infrastructure also emerged as critical priorities, given the interconnected nature of the new systems.

Ultimately, this transition demanded significant organizational change management, requiring not only new technical competencies but also cultural shifts towards embracing digital innovation across the entire organization.

The Ongoing Process Change

Switching from one process to another is not a trivial task, especially within a large organization like MAN Truck and Bus. Its departmentalized structure emphasizes the importance of establishing flexible processes capable of effectively responding to change. Accurate and comprehensive information gathering during the initial project phases is crucial to minimize risks associated with later changes.

While interviewing colleagues about their ongoing projects and processes, I was surprised to learn that a general requirements list was not accessible to team members. Further inquiry confirmed the absence of such documentation, highlighting a significant gap in the project's initial planning and communication phases. Addressing this gap by introducing clear documentation standards and maintaining an accessible repository of project requirements could significantly improve project alignment, reduce risks, and facilitate smoother transitions between processes.