Onboarding process and guide for Content Design
I created a content design onboarding guide and process for managers to use when onboarding content designers to the team. This guide included a manager's handbook with information to onboard and an onboarding guide template to share with new hires.
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Goal - To identify gaps and improve the content design onboarding process for new hires.
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Impact - The new onboarding process was very well received by managers and is currently being used across the team. This guide streamlined the new hire onboarding across the team with all managers using a unified approach. ​It helped new hires to onboard in a very structured manner and learn progressively about their teams, projects, and partners.
Here's the structure of the content design onboarding process framework I created. Every milestone had a specific set of guidelines and timelines for managers and new hires, clearly defining what tasks each of them had to do at what stage.
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Manager's handbook
The managers' handbook carried information to be shared with new hires like - onboarding documents, buddy information, "get to know me" templates for new hires, useful links and references, guidance on meetings and trainings for the new hire, geography-specific policies, benefits and other onboarding information.
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Onboarding guide template
The onboarding guide was a customizable document to be shared with new hires by their managers. It carried information about the new hires' onboarding schedule for their first day, first, second, and third week, third week and beyond, milestones to achieve in the first month, 3 months, and 6 months, their team and buddy information, along with helpful resources.
Starting before the first day
Managers were recommended to connect and welcome their new hires before they started. This helped establish a personal connect with the new team member.
The "how to" was defined here for managers.
Their second week
The new hire's first week was planned with meetings and relevant training sessions by managers. The focus during this week was to learn more about their product teams and partners.
The "how to" and documents needed were defined for managers and new hires.
The new hire's first day
Clear tasks and schedules were defined for new hires on their first day. The managers had the responsibility of sharing documents and setting up meetings.
The "how to" and documents needed were defined for managers and new hires.
Third week and beyond
New hires had to start connecting with their partners, settle into their teams, set up meetings, and start their first project. Managers were to guide them through this.
The "How to" was defined here for managers and new hires
Their first week
The new hire's first week was planned with meetings and relevant training sessions by managers. The focus during this week was to learn more about the company, craft and content design team.
The "how to" and documents needed were defined for managers and new hires.
Milestones at 1, 3 and 6 months
New hires were given clear milestones to be achieved as they completed their first month, 3 months, and 6 months. This helped the managers assess a new hire's progress as they settle into their teams.