Improved the quality of design deliverables and handoff efficiency with cross-reviews

Design Management

Implemented a cross-review process within the design team, improving the quality of design files and speeding up the handoff to development. This also reduced the number of developer questions during implementation.

Improved the quality of design deliverables and handoff efficiency with cross-reviews

Design Management

Implemented a cross-review process within the design team, improving the quality of design files and speeding up the handoff to development. This also reduced the number of developer questions during implementation.

Improved the quality of design deliverables and handoff efficiency with cross-reviews

Design Management

Implemented a cross-review process within the design team, improving the quality of design files and speeding up the handoff to development. This also reduced the number of developer questions during implementation.

Improved the quality of design deliverables and handoff efficiency with cross-reviews

Design Management

Implemented a cross-review process within the design team, improving the quality of design files and speeding up the handoff to development. This also reduced the number of developer questions during implementation.

interface of Figma with opened file

My role

As a Design Lead, I introduced a cross-review process within the design team to enhance the quality and consistency of design deliverables. This initiative reduced inconsistencies, minimized developer questions during implementation, and improved overall collaboration between designers and developers.

Skills applied

Design Leadership, Process Improvement, Cross-Team Collaboration, Developer Handoff Optimization, Communication & Feedback Management, Efficiency in Design Workflows

Project type

Management

Role

Design Lead

interface of Figma with opened file

My role

As a Design Lead, I introduced a cross-review process within the design team to enhance the quality and consistency of design deliverables. This initiative reduced inconsistencies, minimized developer questions during implementation, and improved overall collaboration between designers and developers.

Skills applied

Design Leadership, Process Improvement, Cross-Team Collaboration, Developer Handoff Optimization, Communication & Feedback Management, Efficiency in Design Workflows

Project type

Management

Role

Design Lead

interface of Figma with opened file

My role

As a Design Lead, I introduced a cross-review process within the design team to enhance the quality and consistency of design deliverables. This initiative reduced inconsistencies, minimized developer questions during implementation, and improved overall collaboration between designers and developers.

Skills applied

Design Leadership, Process Improvement, Cross-Team Collaboration, Developer Handoff Optimization, Communication & Feedback Management, Efficiency in Design Workflows

Project type

Management

Role

Design Lead

interface of Figma with opened file

My role

As a Design Lead, I introduced a cross-review process within the design team to enhance the quality and consistency of design deliverables. This initiative reduced inconsistencies, minimized developer questions during implementation, and improved overall collaboration between designers and developers.

Skills applied

Design Leadership, Process Improvement, Cross-Team Collaboration, Developer Handoff Optimization, Communication & Feedback Management, Efficiency in Design Workflows

Project type

Management

Role

Design Lead

Problem

No unified standards for preparing design files for development handoff

Each designer in the team had their own way of preparing files for development, which led to inconsistencies. Developers had to figure out how each designer structured their files, slowing down the workflow. Designers also faced similar challenges when working with each other’s files.

No unified standards for preparing design files for development handoff

Each designer in the team had their own way of preparing files for development, which led to inconsistencies. Developers had to figure out how each designer structured their files, slowing down the workflow. Designers also faced similar challenges when working with each other’s files.

No unified standards for preparing design files for development handoff

Each designer in the team had their own way of preparing files for development, which led to inconsistencies. Developers had to figure out how each designer structured their files, slowing down the workflow. Designers also faced similar challenges when working with each other’s files.

Research

To improve the handoff process, I surveyed both developers and designers. This helped identify what was working well, what needed improvement, and what was missing.

The key challenge was finding the right balance between the time designers spent preparing files and the time developers needed to analyze them before implementation.

Solution

The most effective and low-effort solution was introducing a cross-review process, where another designer checked the file against predefined criteria before it was handed off. This peer-review approach is widely used in development and has already proven its efficiency.

1. Defining the cross-review process

I mapped out the entire review flow, detailing each step to make the process clear and structured.

cross-review flow diagram consists of creating a task, requesting a review form colleague, conducting review, sharing results and marking the task as Done
cross-review flow diagram consists of creating a task, requesting a review form colleague, conducting review, sharing results and marking the task as Done
cross-review flow diagram consists of creating a task, requesting a review form colleague, conducting review, sharing results and marking the task as Done

Cross-review flow diagram

2. Setting review criteria

Based on feedback from both designers and developers, I created a list of key review points. These fell into three main categories:

File structure & organization

Are pages, layers, and file names clear and consistent?

Are pages, layers, and file names clear and consistent?

Are pages, layers, and file names clear and consistent?

Are layers logically grouped for easier navigation?

Are layers logically grouped for easier navigation?

Are layers logically grouped for easier navigation?

Content of the file

Are comments and annotations for developers included where needed?

Are comments and annotations for developers included where needed?

Are comments and annotations for developers included where needed?

Are components and styles correctly used?

Are components and styles correctly used?

Are components and styles correctly used?

Design decisions (optional)

If the reviewer had expertise in that part of the product, they could suggest improvements or flag potential usability issues.

If the reviewer had expertise in that part of the product, they could suggest improvements or flag potential usability issues.

If the reviewer had expertise in that part of the product, they could suggest improvements or flag potential usability issues.

Each criterion was documented with descriptions and examples.

example of criterion named Grouping of mockups and flows
example of criterion named Grouping of mockups and flows
example of criterion named Grouping of mockups and flows

Example of criterion description

3. Cross-review report

To track feedback, I created a table where reviewers assigned one of the following statuses to each criterion:

🥒  All good – Everything meets the requirements

🌝  Needs clarification – Unclear if something is an issue or not

🦀  Requires revision – Needs some adjustments

🗿  Not checked – Skipped if not relevant to the file

Reviewers also left comments directly in Figma to help designers make necessary fixes.

list of reports
list of reports
list of reports

Cross-review report

Results

Implementing cross-reviews led to several improvements:

  • More consistent and high-quality design files

  • More consistent and high-quality design files

  • Faster handoff to development

  • Faster handoff to development

  • Easier onboarding when working with other designers' files

  • Easier onboarding when working with other designers' files

  • Smoother collaboration between designers and developers

  • Smoother collaboration between designers and developers

  • Better visibility into what others on the design team were working on

  • Better visibility into what others on the design team were working on

This process not only streamlined our workflow but also strengthened communication and teamwork across the board.

Results

Implementing cross-reviews led to several improvements:

  • More consistent and high-quality design files

  • Faster handoff to development

  • Easier onboarding when working with other designers' files

  • Smoother collaboration between designers and developers

  • Better visibility into what others on the design team were working on

This process not only streamlined our workflow but also strengthened communication and teamwork across the board.

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025