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Avoid Re-Design Without a Clear Goal
Product / Advice
Don't redesign because it's stale. Redesign to fix something specific.
The Problem
Big redesigns are tempting. They feel like progress. But redesigns without a measurable goal usually make things worse: users get disoriented, muscle memory breaks, metrics dip, and nobody can tell whether it worked.
Before You Redesign
- Name the problem. "It looks dated" isn't enough.
- State what metric should move. If you can't name one, don't start.
- List what must stay unchanged. Users rely on habits.
How to Do It Well
- Redesign in pieces, not big-bang.
- Ship behind flags and A/B test.
- Keep the old version available during transition.
- Measure before and after.
The Trap
New leadership wanting to "make their mark." Executive-driven redesigns rarely move user metrics. They move headcount and morale.
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