Since 2012, I have run what I would call “Lean UX” departments for some of the biggest companies, great CEOs, and CTOs.
Ah, the evolution of UX departments, a tale that spans from humble beginnings to the sprawling behemoths they’ve become today. It’s like witnessing the growth of a small plant into a wild, unruly jungle – fascinating but also a bit overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, a strong UX department has merit and can produce exceptional results. Just be careful and look at the P&L, something design folks could be better at.
Once upon a time, UX departments were lean and mean, with a small team of dedicated individuals focused on crafting delightful user experiences. They were the unsung heroes, working behind the scenes to ensure users could navigate websites and apps seamlessly. It was a simpler era, where the goal was clarity and efficiency.
But then, like a well-intentioned experiment gone awry, the UX department began to bloat. As organizations recognized the importance of user experience, they started throwing resources at it – more designers, researchers, and managers. Suddenly, what was once a tight-knit group became a sprawling bureaucracy.
Now, in the age of the bloated UX department, there are meetings about meetings, and everyone has a say in the design process. Collaboration is essential, but decisions get lost when every stakeholder becomes a self-proclaimed UX expert. It’s like navigating a maze where every twist and turn is dictated by committee consensus.
The proliferation of specialized roles within the UX department is another layer of complexity. UX designers, UI designers, interaction designers, information architects – the list goes on. Each title has its responsibilities, and the lines between them sometimes blur. The result? A convoluted hierarchy that can slow down the decision-making process.
Furthermore, the endless pursuit of the latest tools and methodologies has turned the UX landscape into a tech arms race. Prototyping tools, user testing platforms, and design thinking frameworks abound, each promising to revolutionize how we approach UX. But in the quest for innovation, it’s easy to lose sight of the ultimate goal: creating a user experience that is intuitive, enjoyable, and functional.
The most significant concern in the era of bloated UX departments is the risk of losing touch with the end-users. Amidst the layers of bureaucracy and specialization, the original purpose of understanding and empathizing with the user can sometimes get lost. The focus shifts from creating meaningful experiences to ticking off checkboxes and meeting deadlines.
To wrap it up, the bloated UX department is a cautionary tale of good intentions gone awry. While recognizing the importance of user experience is crucial, maintaining a balance between resources and the core principles of UX is equally essential. After all, the essence of user experience lies in simplicity, clarity, and empathy – qualities that shouldn’t be drowned out in the din of a bloated bureaucracy.