Mastering UX Collaboration: How a Strong Onboarding Process Sets Projects Up for Success
- bradyux
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Why UX Onboarding Matters
The success of any UX project isn’t just about great design—it’s about great collaboration. At Brady UX, we’ve refined our onboarding process to ensure that every client partnership starts with clarity, alignment, and efficiency.
A well-structured onboarding experience eliminates ambiguity, sets clear expectations, and ensures that both the design team and the client are on the same page from day one. It’s not just about kicking things off—it’s about creating the conditions for better results.
So how do we do it? Our DRAGON Process provides the framework, while our structured feedback system and communication protocols ensure smooth collaboration. Let’s break it down.
The DRAGON Process: A Framework for UX Success
At Brady UX, we follow the DRAGON Process, a structured approach that balances strategic planning with user-centered execution. Each phase plays a critical role in guiding a project from discovery to final delivery.
D → Discover – Understanding the client’s vision, business goals, and target users.
R → Research – Validating user needs and defining the key priorities.
A → Analyze – Synthesizing insights into clear design strategies.
G → Generate – Creating wireframes, UI designs, and interactive prototypes.
O → Optimize – Refining the experience based on usability testing.
N → Navigate – Handoff and future growth planning.
This structured process ensures we don’t just design—we strategize, validate, and iterate.
Balancing Creativity & Structure: The Role of Client Feedback
UX design is a collaborative effort. While our team brings expertise in user research, design strategy, and usability best practices, the client brings industry knowledge, product goals, and brand identity. The key is structured feedback that keeps the project moving forward without introducing scope creep or unnecessary revisions.
How Clients Can Provide Effective Feedback:
✅ Be Specific – Instead of “Make it pop,” try “Increase contrast between text and background.”
✅ Use Real-World Scenarios – Explain how your users will interact with the design.
✅ Align with Scope – If new requests go beyond the agreed scope, we can discuss adjustments.
💡 We’ve found that a structured revision request system, rather than scattered feedback, significantly reduces delays and miscommunications.
Communication & Tools: Keeping Collaboration Seamless
Clear communication is just as important as good design. Our process includes:
Figma → Real-time design collaboration.
Slack (Optional) → Quick async updates.
Revision Request Form → A structured way to submit feedback.
Weekly Updates → Consistent check-ins to keep projects aligned.
By centralizing communication, we reduce the risks of misalignment and ensure a smooth workflow.
Setting Up for Success: The Client’s Role
A great UX project isn’t just about what the design team delivers—it’s also about how well the client is prepared. That’s why we encourage clients to:
📌 Provide branding materials & design references – The more context we have, the better.
📌 Schedule a kickoff meeting – Alignment on goals early prevents costly changes later.
📌 Use the revision request form – This keeps feedback structured and actionable.
Final Thoughts: Why UX Projects Succeed (or Fail) in the First Few Weeks
UX projects often fail due to unclear expectations, lack of structured feedback, or miscommunication. That’s why we believe in frontloading clarity—a strong onboarding experience prevents issues later and ensures a smoother design process.
By following our DRAGON Process, maintaining clear communication, and using structured feedback methods, we create an environment where great design isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.
👉 Want to see our onboarding process in action? Check out the full guide here: Brady UX Client Onboarding Guide
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