A 2-day UX workshop originally focused on [Love] quickly pivoted to [Ninja] after a mid-session shift in business priorities. Despite the change, the session delivered a clear roadmap, team alignment, and actionable next steps. I joined the team to help bring the outcomes to life.
The owner of [Love] and [Ninja], traveled from Germany to Bangkok to work with our team in person. The initial goal was to understand why [Love]—a visually improved version of [Ninja]—was underperforming in terms of revenue. With design potentially playing a larger strategic role, this workshop was a critical opportunity to evaluate the product direction and explore new possibilities.
Original Plan
The workshop was designed to focus on [Love], using collaborative UX activities to uncover performance gaps, identify product opportunities, and align stakeholders. I prepared a full two-day agenda that included team mapping exercises, competitor analysis, and prioritization strategies to uncover actionable insights.
A Sudden Shift
Midway through Day 1, a stakeholder raised a crucial question:
“Why not just continue building on [Ninja], since it’s already performing well?”
After a short discussion, the direction of the workshop shifted entirely. The focus was no longer [Love], but [Ninja]—a product we hadn’t planned to explore in depth. With only one day remaining and a completely new focus, the challenge was clear: adapt quickly, and still deliver value.
Overnight Redesign
That evening, I restructured the entire Day 2 agenda. Instead of moving into sketching and execution activities for [Love], we returned to discovery—this time for [Ninja]. The revised format centered on identifying what was working, what wasn’t, and what could improve. We closed the day by building a prioritization matrix to define the most impactful next steps.
A Better Outcome
Surprisingly, the pivot led to even stronger engagement. With [Ninja] back in focus, the team contributed with sharper insights and deeper alignment. The result was a clear summary of findings, a set of actionable Jira epics, and a four-month product roadmap developed in close collaboration with the product manager. Despite the shift in scope, the outcome remained on track—clear direction, team alignment, and an implementation plan grounded in shared understanding.
This experience reinforced that while preparation is essential, adaptability is critical. Clear goals and thoughtful facilitation can help teams navigate even major shifts in direction. Design isn’t just about pixels—it’s about helping teams align, focus, and move forward with confidence, even when the path changes.
Long-Term Impact
Following the workshop, I joined the team as a UX/UI Designer. The goal was clear: to bring the workshop outcomes to life, implement the prioritized changes, and elevate the product experience based on the collaborative vision we built together.
This opportunity allowed me to stay involved beyond facilitation—to lead the design execution, guide UX strategy, and ensure that the team’s decisions were translated into meaningful improvements in the product.
