Product Launch Portfolio
Introduction to the Assure Lock 2
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is a modern, connected deadbolt designed for seamless integration into your smart home. Compatible with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Z-Wave, it gives you the flexibility to choose the connection that fits your setup.
Unlock your door your way—using the Yale Access App, keypad, or even voice assistants. Easily share and manage entry codes with family, guests, or service providers, and keep tabs on who comes and goes with real-time notifications and access history. Advanced features like Auto-Lock with DoorSense™ ensure your home is secure, whether you're heading out or already away.
Check if your door is locked, confirm your dog walker arrived on time, or get notified when the kids are home—all from your phone. With Yale Assure Lock 2, peace of mind is always within reach.
The Scope:
Launch the next generation family of deadbolts for the Yale Smart Home group.
My Role: Product Manager
Project Timing: Nov 2019 through September 2022
Skills/Methodologies: Stakehold Managemanet, user and market research, prioritiziation, cross functional team management.
Tools used: JIRA, Confluence, Asana, MS Office, Figma, Centercode, Salsify
Phase 1: Discovery & User Research
The project began with extensive ideation and user research to ensure we were solving the right problems and building a product that met user needs. Key research initiatives included:
Product Design Conjoint Study: Conducted to validate the lock’s aesthetic appeal and ensure it aligned with customer preferences.
Mechanical Feature Enhancements: Analyzed technical support call data and customer reviews to identify and prioritize areas for mechanical improvement.
Out-of-Box Setup Experience: Evaluated competitive products to understand user pain points and preferences during setup, helping guide improvements to the onboarding experience.
Phase 2: Ideation
Leveraging insights from user research, I authored the Market Requirements Document (MRD), which defined the product vision, key features, integration with the Yale Access app, and the end-to-end user experience—including out-of-box setup and packaging.
Once the MRD was finalized, I led cross-functional alignment meetings with engineering teams across hardware, firmware, electrical, and software disciplines to walk through the requirements, address open questions, and ensure a shared understanding of the product goals.
Phase 3: Development & Protoyping
During the development phase, we utilized 3D prints and various prototype samples to validate key mechanical design decisions. Engineering Validation Test (EVT) samples were thoroughly evaluated by both Engineering and Product Management teams, with testing conducted both on and off doors to ensure performance and fit.
Before moving into tooling, we conducted a final round of user research through an in-person shop-along study. This allowed us to gather real-time feedback from potential customers on the product’s aesthetics and feature set, helping us validate purchase intent and refine final design details.
In parallel with hardware development, I collaborated closely with Software and UX teams to align on app updates required for launch. I actively participated in sprint planning, UX design reviews, and bi-weekly bug triage meetings to ensure a cohesive and high-quality end-to-end experience.
Phase 4: User testing
I developed a comprehensive DVT (Design Validation Test) beta plan, executed through Centercode, encompassing five phases and over 1,500 users. Each phase had distinct objectives to ensure thorough testing across all product family variations over an extended period. Participants were required to evaluate the packaging and out-of-box experience, install the hardware on a frequently used door, and test full functionality with the Yale Access app.
I led weekly cross-functional beta team meetings to triage issues and drive resolution, and provided bi-weekly progress updates to senior leadership. This six-month beta program enabled in-depth validation across hardware, software, and user experience touchpoints—ultimately building confidence across all teams ahead of launch.
Phase 4: Launch
I partnered closely with Sales and Marketing as both a contributor and approver for our Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy. My involvement spanned multiple workstreams, including:
Product positioning and messaging
Channel strategy development
Creation and approval of product sheets, Salsify content, and brochures
Oversight of commercials and demand generation media
Social media and press coordination
Brick-and-mortar load-ins and in-store display planning
Direct-to-consumer (D2C) campaign planning and execution
In parallel, I worked with the Operations team on early product builds and demand forecasting to ensure we had sufficient inventory for initial channel orders, field samples, and at least three months of sell-through coverage.
Phase 5: Metrics
Post-launch, I collaborated with cross-functional teams to track and evaluate key performance metrics, ensuring the product met strategic and operational goals. Metrics included:
Sales Performance: Revenue generation and contribution margin. We achieved 20% revenue growth.
Retail Impact: In-store placements compared to the legacy Assure 2 model. 70% increase in in store placement.
Product Engagement: Number of locks activated via the Yale Access app
Customer Support: Volume of service calls, resolution rates, and CSAT scores
Marketing & PR: Social and press impressions, message pull-through, media coverage, and industry awards
Brand Impact: Changes in brand awareness and perception
Customer Feedback: Product reviews and average star ratings across retail and D2C platforms
These insights helped inform post-launch optimizations and guided future product planning efforts.
Retrospective & Continuous Improvement
Following the product launch, I facilitated a cross-functional retrospective workshop where representatives from each team shared reflections on what went well, the challenges encountered, and key takeaways. The outcomes were documented and presented to senior leadership to inform continuous improvement for future programs.
What Went Well:
I collaborated closely with multiple teams to ensure we had robust user research supporting key product decisions. This foundation enabled compelling retailer pitch meetings and ultimately led to the company’s largest in-store placement for a new product launch.
What Was Challenging:
Given the scope of the project, coordinating with the software team to ensure all key UX features were ready by launch proved difficult. However, this challenge prompted the development of a revised, more integrated software-hardware collaboration process for future releases.
What We Learned:
For large-scale initiatives, consistent and proactive cross-functional communication is critical to maintaining alignment and ensuring that all teams are working toward a shared set of goals and timelines.
Assure Lock 2 Touch
Project Timing: 2023
Project Context: Based on the Assure Lock 2 family, the Assure Lock 2 Touch, is an expansion of the product family. We used all the same great features of the Assure Lock 2, and added a fingerprint scanner to the lock, allowing for another way to unlock the door.
Role: Product Manager:
Author of product requirements
Collaborated with firmware and hardware engineering teams to implement changes required to support a fingerprint reader.
Partnered with the Software product management team to add necessary app features to support the fingerprint reader.
Supported marketing and approved all go-to-market materials.
Key Challenges: Agreeing to mimimal viable product (MVP) feature set to ensure we met our launch target, but also had the best possible user experience for setting up fingerprints.
Impact & Metrics: 10% revenue increase.
Yale B1L & T1L
Project Timing: 2014
Project Context: Launch a product line addressing the needs for the Pro Security market.
Role: Product Manager:
Author of product requirements
Collaborated with firmware and hardware engineering teams.
Supported marketing and approved all go-to-market materials.
Participated in customer pitch meetings.
Impact & Metrics: 25% revenue increase.