It’s a common misconception that multi-national corporations (MNCs) operate as a single, unified entity. In reality, these organizations are composed of diverse teams, departments, and projects, each with its own unique challenges and dynamics. In fact, there are many commonalities in actual project work across all types of organizations, regardless of their size.

As someone experienced in working across the entire spectrum of organizational sizes, here are a few thoughts I’d like to share:

1. Resource Limitations: Regardless of the organization’s size, managing resources effectively is a common challenge. This includes budget constraints, limited manpower, and time management. Even large corporations, despite having more resources, often face strict budget allocations and timelines

2. Regulatory and Compliance Issues: Navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance is a universal challenge. This can be particularly complex for multinational corporations operating in multiple countries, but smaller organizations and non-profits also need to adhere to local laws and regulations

3. Market Competition: Staying competitive in the market is a shared concern. Product leaders must continuously innovate and improve their offerings to maintain or gain market share, whether they are in a large corporation or a small startup

4. Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the expectations of various stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and partners, is a common constraint. This involves managing diverse interests and ensuring that the project aligns with the overall strategic goals of the organization2.

5. Technological Challenges: Keeping up with technological advancements and integrating new technologies into products and services is a challenge for all types of organizations. This requires continuous learning and adaptation

6. Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks is crucial for the success of any project. This includes financial risks, market risks, and operational risks, which are relevant to both large and small organizations

Service design and UX methodologies help stakeholders manage constraints by using tools like service blueprints and journey maps to optimize resource allocation and streamline processes. They ensure compliance through user-centered design that integrates regulatory requirements seamlessly. By fostering innovation through continuous user feedback and competitive analysis, they help organizations stay competitive. These methodologies also balance stakeholder expectations through co-creation workshops and stakeholder mapping, while iterative design processes and usability testing address technological challenges and mitigate risks effectively. This holistic approach benefits organizations of all sizes.