Single Source of Truth (SSOT) in a Design Systems refers to a centralized repository where all design tokens, components, and guidelines are stored and maintained. This ensures that everyone involved in the product development process—designers, developers, and stakeholders—has access to the most up-to-date information.
By consolidating all resources in one place, a Single Source of Truth reduces the risk of inconsistencies, streamlines collaboration, and ensures that the product’s design and development align with the brand’s standards, leading to a more cohesive and efficient workflow.
Single Source of Truth in a Design System
Single Source of Truth within a Design System is the centralized repository where all these assets and guidelines are stored and maintained. Think of the SSOT as a way to ensure that everyone is using the most current and consistent elements. For example, Figma can serve as the SSOT for visual components, while Storybook acts as the SSOT for coded components visible to developers. Together, they keep design and development aligned and synchronized.
How to use Single Source of Truth
For example, Salesforce's Lightning Design System serves as a Single Source of Truth for the company’s various teams. By housing all UI components, patterns, and tokens in one central repository, Design System ensures that developers and designers across different teams and products have access to consistent resources. This minimizes the chances of discrepancies in design and functionality, leading to a more unified user experience across Salesforce's vast ecosystem of apps and tools.
