Key Insights for Management Regarding User Experience (UX)

When starting a project, it's ideal to involve everyone who has a stake in it. That means getting product managers, developers, marketing folks, and executives on board. You don't want UX (#userexperience) to be this mysterious thing where designers disappear into a corner, work their magic, and then present a finished product, saying, "Ta-da! Hope you like it." Instead, it's much better to share your progress early and often, so everyone understands what's happening.

One effective way to do this is through whiteboarding or other collaborative techniques. One method we really like in UX is something called "#designstudios." It's pretty much what it sounds like. We gather everyone involved in a room and make them part of the #designprocess. It's all about #teamwork and making sure everyone's voice is heard.

UX professionals have to be good at not only #designing but also explaining why their #ideas matter. They need to show how design thinking and user research can benefit the organization. But it's equally important that management gives #UXteams the freedom to do their work properly.

In many organizations, management's attitude toward #UX can swing to extremes, and it's not always easy. On one side, you might encounter complete indifference or even a bit of rudeness. It's like they're saying, "This seems small – just move a few boxes and change some colours. I don't have time for this. I get that it's important, but I don't really get what you guys actually do."

On the other hand, some #CEOs or top executives are true believers in #UX. They're doing their best to spread the word about the importance of user-centric design. This top-level support for #UX is a trend that's on the rise. It usually works better when it starts from the top and flows down through the organization rather than the other way around.

So, you have this whole spectrum – from total disinterest and rudeness on one end to enthusiastic support on the other. Finding the right balance is where organizations can make the most of UX to create better products and experiences.

Here's a little story: I once had an instructor who shared a story from his early career. The CEO's wife came in one day and asked him to change the colour of something because she didn't like it. As a CEO or a manager, whatever you say is going to happen, nobody is going to push back, Some bold people might be but designers would do what you say because they have to perform their jobs. As an executive, you don't need to become a designer, but it helps to understand the language of the UX team.

If you're a Product Manager, it's easy to get caught up in how things look rather than how they work for users. Many managers focus on aesthetics rather than whether a feature is needed or not. They often skip understanding what users really want. It's like they think they know the product and its users inside out and say, "Just design it – start wireframing; start prototyping." But they skip the crucial step of user research. This often aligns with organizations that have a lower maturity level in UX.

To make the most of your UX team, give them the freedom to do what they do best. You can ask them to demonstrate the Return on Investment (#ROI) so that management feels confident trusting the folks who understand user needs, desires, and feelings things that can be hard for many to grasp.

A mature UX organization thinks not just from a design perspective but also from the user's perspective. Let your UX team do the research, understand user needs and expectations, and figure out how your business ideas can be incorporated into the project. It's all about combining user insights with business goals.

Many organizations, tend to focus more on developers and coding, which is important, but it’s equally important to give credit to designers and researchers who play a key role in the process Sometimes, their contributions can overshadow it.

That’s why it’s important to take advantage of opportunities like town hall meetings to discuss user experience, highlight the value of user-focused design, and educate why it matters By doing this, you not only model but also convince the work of designers and researchers. It’s about realizing that creating a great product or service isn’t just about code, It’s about understanding and meeting the needs of the user effectively.