Design changes derailing your launch timeline? Navigate the crunch with these strategies: 1. Tight project management: reassess the timeline immediately, adjusting tasks and milestones to minimize delays. 2. Limit variability upfront: Use a robust pre-launch feedback framework to catch potential design issues early and reduce last-minute surprises. 3. Engage stakeholders: bring launch-responsible teams into the conversation, ensuring they fully understand the changes and can align their efforts. When stakeholders become allies, you turn obstacles into opportunities, keeping the launch on track and cohesive.

Trim the fat: If a feature isn’t essential for solving user problems or driving business growth, it’s out. Time to say goodbye to the ‘nice-to-haves.’ • Team sync: I gather the squad—PMs, engineers, designers—and we agree on what’s absolutely critical. No time for 'maybe' or 'I think so' right now. • Tetris mode activated: Break down the tasks and tackle them in parallel like a game of Tetris. Fit everything in without causing a meltdown. • Over-communicate: I make sure everyone knows the deal—what’s staying, what’s going, and why. No one likes surprises when you’re racing against the clock. At the end of the day, it's all about focusing on what matters most and making it work, even if things get a little chaotic.

When design changes threaten timelines, agility is key: 1. Reassess and reprioritize: Identify the MVP (Minimal Viable Product) features and focus on delivering them first. 2. Establish a design iteration buffer: Plan for unexpected pivots by incorporating flex time within sprints. This helps absorb delays without derailing progress. 3. Ensure cross-functional alignment: Engage early with devs and PMs to set realistic expectations and streamline handoffs. At Stikkman UX, we once shortened a 3-month launch to 6 weeks by focusing on core user journeys, reducing non-essential design elements, and maintaining constant stakeholder feedback loops.

I prioritize critical design changes that directly impact core functionality and user value, while deferring non-essential updates for post-launch iterations. This maintains launch momentum while ensuring quality in key areas.