Cross-Functional Collaboration: Digital & Print Production

A national nonprofit, TNTP is known for publishing research, story-driven publications, and digital tools centered around creating highly engaging and accessible content that resonates with diverse audiences. The success of these projects is dependent upon close coordination, effective communication, and a shared vision between cross-functional teams to ensure that all products meet the high standards of quality required by TNTP's audiences and leaders.

Objectives

One of the primary objectives across these projects was simplifying intricate data and concepts without compromising their integrity or accuracy, which required a close relationship between the editorial, design, and research teams. Additionally, it was crucial to employ user-centric design principles to craft tools that were intuitive and engaging. Language and cultural barriers also had to be addressed, as ensuring clarity and relatability across different demographics was vital for effective communication. Achieving these objectives involved iterative testing and feedback processes to refine the tools continually, fostering an inclusive approach that catered to a wide range of users. Across deliverables, the primary objectives of these projects were:

• To craft data-driven and relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences, inspiring them to take action through clear directives and emotionally compelling narratives.
• To create versatile designs that prioritize user engagement, accommodating both digital innovations and traditional print requirements while maintaining the quality and integrity of the content.
• To ensure brand consistency across all platforms by adhering to style guidelines and effectively incorporating brand elements in all print and digital designs.

My Role & Approach

I led the cross-functional collaboration and project management efforts to create five publications—all of which had both digital and print components—two open source toolkits, a physical exhibit that toured conferences across the country, and I contributed to the design of a follow-up service that helped clients implement one of the report's findings.

By leveraging cross-functional collaboration among all project team members—including writers, researchers, analysts, UX designers, visual designers, web developers, photographers. and lawyers—I ensured that each person, no matter the size of their role or contribution, felt valued and heard throughout the entire production process.

• Adaptive Project Management: I implemented adaptive project management techniques to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to changing project needs, facilitating smooth transitions and optimal workflow coordination across diverse teams.
• Stakeholder Management: I built and maintained strong relationships between the editorial, research, design, communications, and leadership teams to ensure alignment and drive project success.
• Usability and A/B Testing: I designed and conducted comprehensive usability testing and A/B testing to verify assumptions about new website features and product designs. This approach ensured that the end products were user-friendly and aligned with the needs and preferences of our target audience, thereby maximizing engagement and functionality.

Key Results

While I'm proud of each of these projects, The Opportunity Myth has stood the test of time as TNTP's most successful publication to date, including a digital report microsite, print report, resource toolkit, and a follow-up service. The report launched in late 2018, and has since gained significant traction among educators, policymakers, and stakeholders with over 200,000 visitors to the digital publications and 50,000 visitors to the toolkit. Educators, organizations, and even state boards have leveraged the report's findings to drive policy changes and improve student experiences. The report's recommendations, design, and data presentation have been consistently praised for their clarity, emotional resonance, and urgency.

Lessons Learned

If given the opportunity to lead a similar project again, I would prioritize:

• Robust Discovery Phase: I would prioritize a more thorough discovery phase at the outset of the project. This would involve conducting extensive research and stakeholder interviews to better understand the needs and expectations of the intended audience. This approach would drive more informed decision-making regarding content framing and product features, ensuring the end product is aligned with user requirements and market demands.
• Strategic Timeline Mapping: I would ensure that project deadlines are mapped against other organizational priorities and external events, such as major elections and holidays. This proactive planning would help to avoid conflicts and ensure team members have adequate time to rest and recharge, ultimately maintaining productivity and morale.
• Early Collaboration with Service and Product Design Teams: I would engage with the service and product design teams earlier in the project's timeline to brainstorm and plan strategic follow-up offerings that align with product launch. This collaborative effort would aim to create a seamless experience for users, ensuring they can easily access the tool and receive tailored support to implement findings.

Kind Words

• "Usability testing has made a big difference for a lot of our projects, and I also think you have helped a lot of people on the team reframe their thinking around people-centered design and decision-making. I've certainly reframed the way I think about approaching projects because of it. You have a unique ability to push your teammates—including me—to better solutions while doing so with grace and care." -Manager & Department Leader
• "Meghann was a great contributor to The Opportunity Myth exhibit team, and I so enjoyed working with her. What I so appreciated about Meghann on this project was that she was willing to navigate a range of relationships (external designer, partners, VPs) in her department and beyond to figure out options and determine the best approach. Meghann was on site for several of the conferences to better understand the needs of users and continuously improve the exhibit. Additionally, Meghann was an invaluable voice in codifying all of our lessons learned and recommendations to share with leadership." -Project Leader
• "Meghann has been quick to jump into help and reliable in delivering a high-quality product. Whether it was converting a messy tool into a polished and accessible product for our website or helping design a user-friendly webinar, Meghann consistently centered the user experience and has created excellent tools/resources that will long outlive the project and hopefully help many future teams and clients for years to come." -Project Leader
• "Because of your keen eye towards the consumer experience and ability to navigate our teams to get things into the COVID-19 toolkit, we've made public our commitment to the importance of community engagement throughout and beyond the pandemic." -Organizational Leader