Convincing stakeholders about value of UX: How to Improve Your Position in the Game

Designers are the unsung heroes of the digital world. They toil behind the scenes, crafting intuitive and delightful experiences for websites and applications. Their goal is to ensure that users can navigate, interact, and enjoy their products seamlessly. But there's a catch. Convincing stakeholders of the importance of UX can often feel like an uphill battle. In this article, we'll explore the challenges UX designers face and offer strategies to improve your position in the game.

The UX Conundrum

Imagine you're a UX designer working on a groundbreaking project. You've meticulously designed an interface that's user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and practically flawless. However, when it's time to present your vision to stakeholders, you're met with resistance. They question the need for your input, wondering why they can't just focus on functionality and features.

The Stakeholder Challenge

Stakeholders, often coming from various backgrounds like business, development, or marketing, might not fully grasp the significance of UX. Their primary concerns are typically driven by ROI, timelines, and immediate results. This misalignment in priorities can lead to misunderstandings and pushback from stakeholders. So, why is it so hard to convince them of the importance of UX?

The Invisible Value of UX

UX is often invisible until it's lacking. When an interface is intuitive, users simply enjoy a seamless experience. But when it's lacking, users struggle, and the fallout can be costly. While stakeholders may not immediately see the ROI of UX, they can certainly feel the consequences of its absence, such as decreased user satisfaction, increased support costs, and higher churn rates.

Improving Your Position in the Game

So, how can UX designers improve their position and convince stakeholders of the need for UX? Here are some strategies:

1. Educate and Advocate: Start by educating stakeholders about the fundamentals of UX. Share case studies and statistics that highlight the tangible benefits of investing in user experience. Explain that UX is not just about aesthetics but about creating products that users love.
2. Speak Their Language: Tailor your message to resonate with your audience. Translate UX principles into terms that stakeholders understand. Highlight how UX can lead to increased conversions, improved user retention, and cost savings in the long run.
3. Collaborate Early and Often: Involve stakeholders in the design process from the beginning. Seek their input and collaboration, making them feel like part of the creative journey. This helps them understand the value you bring to the table. Good practice is to explain the process and guide them through the design process. It's always easier, when the stakeholders know what they should expect.
4. User Testing and Feedback: Implement user testing and gather user feedback. Sharing real user experiences and pain points can be a compelling argument for the importance of UX. It is hard to say no, when you see that 80% of users are unhappy. Just focus on most crucial parts of design.
5. Demonstrate Success: After implementation, showcase the positive impact of your work. Share data on improved user satisfaction, reduced support tickets, or increased conversion rates that can be directly attributed to your UX efforts. Write a success story you can share company-wide, or create a case study, focusing on how UX helped the project and solved problems.

Convincing stakeholders about the importance and value of UX may seem like a lot of work at first, but it doesn't have to be. By educating, collaborating, and demonstrating the value of UX, you can improve your position in the game.

Remember, the more stakeholders understand the power of a great user experience, the more they'll champion your cause. In the end, it's all about creating a win-win situation where both the users and the stakeholders benefit.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash