You're struggling to get stakeholders involved in UX research. How can you make them actively engage?

Lo primero que hago es identificar qué resultados les importan más. Luego, traduzco los beneficios de la investigación en términos que resuenen con sus objetivos, como mejorar la satisfacción del cliente o reducir costos. Además, simplifico la participación creando resúmenes visuales y breves informes en lugar de extensos documentos técnicos. Por ejemplo, organizo talleres donde los invito a interactuar directamente con prototipos, mostrando de manera tangible el valor de su contribución.

Educate on Importance: Explain the value and impact of UX research on the project's success. Show Benefits: Highlight how their involvement can lead to better product outcomes and meet business goals. Involve Early: Engage stakeholders from the beginning to ensure they feel invested in the process. Use Workshops: Conduct interactive sessions to gather input and demonstrate the research process. Share Success Stories: Provide examples of successful projects where stakeholder involvement made a difference. Provide Regular Updates: Keep them informed with progress reports and findings to maintain interest and involvement.

When trying to get stakeholders on board with UX research, I start by clearly explaining its value. At H&M Group, I used relatable examples to show how understanding user needs and frustrations leads to better product designs. It's crucial to emphasize that UX research isn't just about making things look good; it's about creating products that are easy to use and effective. Sharing success stories where UX insights led to improved user satisfaction and business outcomes can make a compelling case.

Identify stakeholders' goals and priorities Show how UX research supports their objectives Emphasize the impact on business outcomes and user satisfaction

Aligning UX research with business objectives is crucial for securing stakeholder buy-in. While presenting UX research data, always include in these points: Emphasize how UX research can inform product roadmaps, reduce time-to-market, and improve product-market fit. Demonstrate how UX research can enhance brand perception, increase customer engagement, and drive customer acquisition. Show how UX research can improve product usability, reduce development costs, and increase user satisfaction.

Aligning UX research goals with stakeholders' business objectives is essential. At PayPal, I demonstrated how user insights could drive growth, reduce costs, or increase customer loyalty. By showing the direct impact of UX research on the metrics they care about, I turned skeptics into advocates. Speaking their language and making the connection between user experience and the bottom line clear was key to gaining their support and engagement.

Early stakeholder involvement is essential for building shared ownership and ensuring research aligns with business goals. - Outline how stakeholders will contribute to the research process, ensuring clear expectations. - Work collaboratively to define research objectives and outcomes that align with business goals. - Incorporate their knowledge of the target audience, market trends, and business constraints into research design.

Engage stakeholders at the project's outset Encourage them to contribute research questions and objectives Keep them informed throughout the research process

Involving stakeholders early in the UX research process can make a huge difference. I invited them to planning sessions and workshops where they could contribute their perspectives and understand the research scope. This early involvement made them feel valued and gave them a sense of ownership over the project. As a result, they were more engaged throughout the process and became champions of the findings within the organization.

Offer flexible participation options (e.g., remote interviews, surveys) Use plain language in research materials and discussions Minimize time commitments and make it easy to contribute

Making it easy for stakeholders to participate in UX research is crucial. This could mean scheduling meetings at their convenience or providing concise summaries instead of lengthy reports. At H&M Group, I used visual aids to communicate findings, reducing the effort required on their part while maximizing the insights they gained. Simplifying their involvement encouraged more frequent and enthusiastic participation.

Highlight research findings and their impact on design decisions Showcase user insights and testimonials Celebrate research-driven successes and improvements

Sharing the positive outcomes of UX research regularly with stakeholders is important. Highlighting how user feedback led to product improvements, increased sales, or enhanced customer satisfaction makes a strong case for the value of UX research. At PayPal, showcasing these successes helped stakeholders see tangible results, making them more likely to appreciate the value of UX research and become active participants in future projects.

Tailor communication style and format to individual stakeholders Address their specific concerns and interests Foster personal connections and build trust

Each stakeholder is unique, with different interests and levels of understanding regarding UX research. Tailoring my approach to each individual by addressing their specific concerns and highlighting the aspects of UX research that resonate most with them has been effective. Personalizing communication and engagement strategies help connect more effectively, encouraging deeper involvement in UX research.

Engaging stakeholders in UX research can be challenging, but it's crucial for success. Start by speaking their language—translate UX benefits into business outcomes they care about. Show them concrete examples where UX has improved similar projects. Invite them to observe user testing sessions; seeing real users interact with their product can be eye-opening. Keep communication open and transparent, and involve them early in the process to create a sense of ownership. Also, use storytelling to highlight user pain points and successes. Finally, make UX research feel less like an abstract concept and more like a practical tool that drives tangible results.

One additional insight is the importance of storytelling in UX research. Sharing compelling user stories that highlight real-world problems and solutions can resonate deeply with stakeholders. At H&M Group, using storytelling to convey user experiences helped stakeholders relate to and understand the impact of UX research better. This approach not only engages them emotionally but also underscores the practical benefits of investing in UX.

It depends on which stakeholders we are talking about. A business stakeholder is more interested in ROI; make them see the connection with their bottom line and they'll actively participate. Users on the other end need a different kind of motivation; money or small rewards usually do the trick.