UX Process: Not One-Size-Fits-All

Tailoring Your UX Design Process for Various Teams and Projects

My career as a UX Designer has been a mix of various experiences, moving through different teams, companies, and project setups. Whether it’s working in centralized or decentralized teams, collaborating closely with developers, or being an essential part of the product team — each journey has its own distinctive story. What’s clear in this diverse landscape is that the idea of a One-Size-Fits-All UX Process is a myth…

Starting from UX Education

The education we get in UX often puts a lot of focus on following specific methods and perfecting our skills, sometimes without connecting them to the actual business scenario. When we step into the real world, people aren’t really interested in the nitty-gritty details of our process. They care about what we deliver — how fast and how effectively. This is where we see the difference between the picture-perfect UX process we learn and the practical needs of a business. The gap becomes pretty clear. In the business world, it’s about tangible results, not just sticking to a set process.

Traditional UX teachings might say that it’s the designer’s job to enlighten the client, ensuring the process’s excellence. However, this perspective tends to ignore the importance of adjusting to what the client or team actually needs. The idea that clients should be taught to understand and appreciate the UX process doesn’t fully recognize the designer’s role as a service provider, someone who must sync with the business’s current needs.

The Reality Shock: Beyond the UX Process Obsession

The reality shock hits every designer when they eagerly want to dive into the UX process, armed with knowledge from their UX courses or bootcamps. While it’s fantastic to apply what you’ve learned, the truth is that real-world scenarios introduce multiple influencing factors — time constraints, resource limitations, business needs, and technical feasibility. These factors can significantly impact your step-by-step process.

In the grand scheme of things, nobody is overly concerned about the nitty-gritty details of the UX process or the specific tools you use. What truly matters is the understanding and impact of each deliverable. Additionally, time isn’t a limitless resource for every team. Rapid iterations are the norm, and not every team can afford the luxury of extensive UX processes.

The team looks to you as the problem solver, someone who can tackle challenges without overpowering them and adapt to the circumstances at hand. Constantly dwelling on the team’s perceived lack of UX maturity can leave you feeling stuck.

In the war between process and problem-solving, it’s crucial to shift our focus away from drowning in procedural intricacies, such as generic personas and tool debates. Instead, let’s spotlight the real heroes — project stories and the unique challenges they bring to the table. This shift in perspective ensures that we keep our eyes on what truly matters in creating exceptional user experiences.

Tailoring UX in Different Environments

Every company I’ve worked with had its unique approach to the design process. While some organizations readily embraced the importance of the UX process, others required a more gradual education on its significance. The adaptability of companies to your design voice can vary, and the pace of change may be slow. However, it’s essential to understand that achieving your planned design process is possible through consistent efforts and effective communication.

1. Agency or Software House Settings: Working in an agency or software house often involves a high volume of projects within a short timeframe. In such scenarios, adhering strictly to the conventional UX process might not be feasible. Time constraints and the repetitive nature of projects can limit the emphasis on extensive research. Here, the focus shifts to rapid prototyping, aligning with business needs, and ensuring client satisfaction within tight schedules and budgets.
2. Big Product-Based Organizations: Large product-based organizations may seem to have a more defined process due to their size and specialized roles within the design team. However, the emphasis is often on addressing immediate business needs. In some cases, the process may exclude elements like user testing or data gathering, aligning with the organization’s convenience. The sheer size of the team doesn’t necessarily guarantee a comprehensive UX process.

Every company I’ve worked with has had its own unique approach to the design process. While some organizations readily embraced the importance of the UX process, others required a more gradual education on its significance. The adaptability of companies to your design voice can vary, and the pace of change may be slow. However, it’s essential to understand that achieving your planned design process is possible through consistent efforts and effective communication.

How to Adapt Your Process

The design process guides user-centered solutions, identifying pain points and generating ideas. But the key is recognizing that it supports problem-solving, not overpowering it.

The UX community needs to rethink its obsession with the design process and focus on what truly matters: solving problems and creating remarkable user experiences. Instead of focusing on a step-by-step process, let’s tell the project’s journey. Highlight challenges, insights, and impactful decisions. Share the outcomes — the results clients and stakeholders truly care about.

It’s time to usher in a new era — a Post-UX Era mindset. This paradigm shift involves becoming bilingual, speaking the language of both design and business. It’s about having a strong point of view, even without exhaustive research, and being adept at storytelling to sell ideas. Speed becomes paramount, and the market, not just the process, becomes the true validator of our work.

Conclusion

Having a process is important, but it shouldn’t overshadow the main goal: solving problems to create outstanding user experiences.

let’s change our viewpoint. Let’s appreciate the skill of problem-solving and the influence of our work. Concentrate on comprehending the problem and letting it shape our process. Providing exceptional user experiences is the real focus, making a lasting impression on everyone involved.