# UX Borrow Request Overview _This request uses the Borrow Lite issue template as it involves a single UX member (Senior Product Designer)._ _Note: This request requires approval by_ @mvanremmerden _, Senior Product Design Manager._ ## Current Staffing and Priorities * Current team allocation: The Plan Stage currently has three Product Designers (Nick Leonard, Alex Fracazo and @nickbrandt ) supporting engineering teams with a 1:10 designer-to-engineer ratio. Nick and Nick are in the top 5 for MR reviews company-wide, indicating they are already at maximum capacity. * Ongoing UX projects: Three Tier 2 priorities for FY26 (Saved Views, Enhanced list view, GLQL Views), Planning workflows, Hierarchy improvements, and Vision work/GitLab 18 Run of Show. * Critical UX priorities: Saved Views feature release coincides with Nick Brandt's upcoming parental leave (starting in June for four months). * Resource gaps: The recent addition of new engineering headcount (IC and EM) is creating a fourth engineering team, further stretching design resources. Designer-to-engineer ratio exceeds internal guidelines. * Impact on existing work: Current design resources are operating at unsustainable workloads; Nick Leonard cannot cover for Nick Brandt during his parental leave, and Alex Fracazo is already committed to GLQL Views work. ## Exit Criteria * Specific deliverables: Support for Saved Views feature through design, implementation, and launch phases during Nick Brandt's absence. Secondary support for Work item type customization and other ongoing Plan Stage priorities. * Quality standards: Maintain design quality consistent with Plan Stage standards to address current adoption challenges. The Plan Stage Strategy notes that "Plan adoption for paid customers is declining month-over-month." * Timeline: 6-month borrow period, focusing especially on the 4-month parental leave window starting in June. * Knowledge transfer requirements: Documentation of design decisions, patterns, and user flows to ensure continuity when Nick Brandt returns from leave. * Transition plan: Gradual handoff of responsibilities back to Nick Brandt upon his return, with 2-month overlap to ensure smooth transition. ## Proposal * Resource request: 1 Senior Product Designer with experience in complex workflow design * Duration: 6 months (with emphasis on coverage during 4-month parental leave starting in June) * Time commitment: * Part-time in May 2025 * Full-time (100%) allocation to Plan Stage during Nick's leave * Justification: Critical resource constraints and upcoming parental leave. Without this borrow, FY26 deliverables are at significant risk. * Expected impact: Maintain delivery timeline for Tier 2 priorities, ensure quality of user experience for critical features, prevent team burnout, and utilize expanded engineering capacity effectively. * Alternative solutions considered: * Contract designer: Rejected due to steep learning curve, limited product context, security concerns, and disruption to other work * Reduce feature scope: Rejected as it conflicts with Tier 2 priorities and strategic goals to improve Plan adoption ## Issue Links * Related tickets: \[Link to Saved Views feature issues\] * Dependencies: GitLab 18 Run of Show, Enhanced list view, GLQL Views, Planning workflows, Hierarchy improvements ## Onboarding Tasks * Required setup: Access to Plan Stage design systems, prototypes, and repositories; integration with the Plan Stage's Figma workspaces * Training materials: Plan Stage Strategy document, Saved Views feature specifications, current design documentation for tier 2 priorities * Initial meetings: * Introduction to Plan Stage team members (Nick Leonard, Nick Brandt before leave) * Kickoff with Caitlin Steele (Product Design Manager) and Gabe Weaver (Group Product Manager) * Engineering team introduction (including new IC and EM) * Points of contact: * Nick Leonard (Product Designer for ongoing support) * Caitlin Steele (Product Design Manager) * Gabe Weaver (Group Product Manager) * Ramp-up expectations: 1-2 weeks for context building, with full productivity expected by week 3-4 (critical to onboard before June) * Communication plan: Weekly check-ins with Nick Leonard and Caitlin Steele; bi-weekly updates to both borrowing and lending teams * Work handover plan: Documentation of all design decisions during Nick Brandt's absence, with comprehensive handover upon his return ## Process Overview * [x] Create issue outlining work change and reasoning * [x] Share issue with impacted Group Product Managers (including Growth PM if the borrows may come from their team) * [x] Engineering Managers+ * [x] Product Design Managers * [x] Complete any scoping of the work to be done * [x] Request review and approval from your manager * [x] Identify any onboarding tasks needed for success * [x] Incorporate feedback into the issue description * [ ] Execute * [ ] Retrospective - Create an issue (optional), or use an existing Retrospective issue (for example, if a Product Designer works with another Section for one milestone, they could share feedback on the experience in the UX Retrospective.)