An introduciton to the new Hybrid Governance Model for the OLSYSENSE Design System
When we started building the OLYSENSE Design System (ODS) in March of 2024, the Design System Squad utilized a Centralized Governance Model to manage and build the first stable release of ODS. Our strategy included implementing foundational capabilties like the Documation Website, Design Tokens, Figma UI Kits and Primitives UI Components first, then begin to incorporate common UI Patterns we discovered across the OLYSENSE Platform.
We knew at some point-in-time we would have to change our approach to managing the design system in way that would help us scale the design system. That time is now!
A Centralized Governance Model in design systems refers to a structured approach where a dedicated team (often called the design systems team) owns, manages, and evolves the system. This team is responsible for defining standards, maintaining consistency, and ensuring quality across the product ecosystem.
As part of Transformation 2.0, the Design System Squad will be merging into Core Systems within the Core Experience Stream. Due to this change, a Hybrid Governance Model will be utilized, in which contributions from the community will be encouraged and supported moving forward.
A Hybrid Governance Model in design systems combines the strengths of centralized and federated models. It allows for shared ownership between a core design system team and various product teams, offering a balance between consistency and flexibility.
A Hybrid Governance Model in design systems combines the strengths of centralized and federated models. It allows for shared ownership between a core design system team and various product or domain teams, offering a balance between consistency and flexibility.
In order to support contributions from the community, we added a Contributing section to the OLYSENSE Design System. It includes information on, Design Principles and Engineering Best Practices , How to submit Design Contributions and How to submit Feature and Bug Requests using the Issue Tracker .
As we move to a new Hybrid Model, we expect that additional changes will occure while we continue to mature the way we support external contributors. We look forward to working with those who venture into the design system world for the first time and those who have previous experience contributing to design systems. The goel is to scale the OLYSESNE Design System in FY26 and make a critical part of our design and engineering workflow. This can only happen with your suppport. Lets make it happen!