A Day in the Life of a Project Manager at DODO: Balancing Human-Centered Design with Parenthood.
My Morning: Get Set and Collaborate
7:00 AM: I usually have late mornings as my 10-month-old barely sleeps early; she probably got her active night times from me. As a mom, my mornings are a balance between personal preparation for a workday and caring for my child—bathing, dressing, feeding, and ensuring my little one is settled. This preparation sets the tone for the day, much like how we set the groundwork in strategic product design.
9:00 AM: By this time, I am prepped for the day. I set up my workspace, open my laptop to check for messages, respond, and get ready to execute my to-do’s for the day. This initial routine parallels the planning phase in a user-centered approach, where every detail is meticulously
considered.
9:30 AM: Next, I head into a team meeting. Collaboration is key in human-centered design. At DODO, our work sessions are collaborative as we follow through with deliverables set for each project. I typically schedule work sessions the day before, so I’m always set to jump right in. My typical sessions cuts across different cross-functional teams.
11:00 AM: The meeting continues as we discuss the latest findings from an ongoing project, brainstorm ideas, document findings, perform user tests or plan external meetings, depending on what we’re doing. As the project manager at DODO, I often facilitate these sessions but most times, other team members facilitate as well. The project leader facilitates the session, encouraging all team members to participate actively. During these sessions, there is an active exchange of ideas and feedback, which strengthens our team collaboration. At this time, my little one is ready for another meal and I feed her in- between, while also having my breakfast; my appetite revives at this time as I prefer late breakfast.
Afternoon: Quick Break and Reflect
1:00 PM: After a productive morning, I take a quick break. This is usually meant for lunch, but since I eat a late breakfast, I prefer a snack. I also spend this time talking back to my little one who is at the talking phase and loves human interaction. I’m intentional in forming conversations with her. I also get to reflect and prepare for the afternoon’ tasks.
2:00 PM: Post-lunch, I shift focus to another project, joining the design team for a work session. We review progress, carefully evaluating the design elements to ensure they align with users’ needs gathered in prior research done. We critique the work, discuss potential improvements, and make any necessary adjustments. My role is to offer constructive feedback, steer the discussion, and ensure that we’re constantly advancing toward our project goals while staying on track with the timeline.
4:30 PM: Communication is vital to keep everyone informed and aligned. The day continues with correspondences with clients, and I send necessary progress reports to stakeholders as required. This period often covers my personal work time. I also ensure my little one is fed again and given some attention (talk about multitasking!).
Evening: Now the Day is Almost Over!
5:30 PM: As the day winds down, I plan for the next day and schedule meetings as required. This involves setting objectives, identifying potential blockers, and strategizing ways to overcome challenges. Reviewing our project timeline and adjusting it as needed to accommodate new developments are key tasks at this stage.
6:30 PM: At 5:30 pm, I shift gears to focus on family as the workday officially ends. I prepare dinner while also working out on my mini-stepper. This helps me unwind after spending hours behind the desk and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle
Balancing the demands of project management with the needs of my 10-month-old child and family can be challenging, as each day has its peculiarities. However, I choose to see every day as an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to something far greater than myself, and that’s one thing that drives me.
