How do you improve your systems design portfolio with feedback?

1 Step 1: Choose a relevant problem

The first step to create a systems design portfolio is to choose a problem that is relevant, interesting, and challenging. You can either pick a problem from a popular interview question, such as designing Twitter or Uber, or a problem from your own experience, such as designing a feature for your current or previous project. The problem should be well-defined, realistic, and have clear requirements and constraints. You should also research the existing solutions and alternatives for the problem, and understand their pros and cons.

2 Step 2: Create a design document

The second step is to create a design document that outlines your solution for the problem. A design document is a written description of your system, including its components, interactions, data flow, scalability, reliability, security, and performance. You can use diagrams, tables, charts, or code snippets to illustrate your design, but make sure they are clear, consistent, and relevant. You should also explain the rationale behind your design decisions, and the trade-offs and assumptions you made.

3 Step 3: Share your design

The third step is to share your design with others, and get feedback. You can share your design document on platforms such as GitHub, Medium, or your personal website, and invite comments from your peers, mentors, or experts. You can also join online communities, such as Reddit, Stack Overflow, or Hacker News, and post your design there, or participate in live sessions, such as mock interviews, webinars, or podcasts, and present your design verbally. The goal is to expose your design to different perspectives, opinions, and questions, and learn from them.

4 Step 4: Iterate on your design

The fourth and final step is to iterate on your design based on the feedback you received. You should review the feedback carefully, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design. You should also prioritize the feedback based on its relevance, validity, and impact, and decide which ones to incorporate, which ones to ignore, and which ones to explore further. You should then update your design document accordingly, and explain the changes you made. You can also share your updated design with the same or different audiences, and repeat the process until you are satisfied with your design.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?