Contribution & Review Model

A structured, collaborative way for teams to propose needs and shape contributions to the design system. Rather than handing over finished work, contributors bring context, ideas, and gaps. The system team guides development and decisions to ensure alignment. The model flexes with scale: smaller teams may co-create directly, while larger orgs benefit from visibility, feedback loops, and structured proposals.

When to Use

When your system is growing beyond a single team, or you need a more inclusive way to shape its direction. Contribution isn’t just about doing the work — it’s about making sure the system reflects shared needs.

Steps

1. Define contribution pathways

   Outline how teams can get involved, whether by raising proposals, sharing needs or gaps, joining working sessions, or improving documentation.

2. Map the process

   Show how contributions move through the system:

   Propose → Collaborate → Review → Decide → Implement

   Make it clear who’s involved and what to expect at each stage.

3. Clarify roles and responsibilities

   Define who contributes ideas, who shapes them, who reviews, and who implements. Shared clarity builds trust and momentum.

4. Offer support

   Provide templates, guides, and channels to lower the barrier to entry. Make it easy for teams to engage without starting from scratch.

5. Communicate the value

   Reframe contribution as co-creation. It’s not about offloading work — it’s about making the system more relevant, adopted, and resilient.

Outcomes

• A scalable, repeatable contribution model
• Greater system relevance through shared ownership
• Stronger adoption and long-term engagement