Is it time to reinvent the (mouse) wheel?
We all know the story: a UX designer molds experiences around users' needs.
They wireframe, prototype, test, and finally, a delightful user experience is born.
But if you're already doing this and have a nagging feeling that there's more you could be doing - you're not wrong.
There's an entirely different level to UX that's often overlooked.
It's the one where you morph into a strategic UX designer, think in non-linear ways, and weave UX into the very fabric of business strategy.
Sound intriguing?
Buckle up; we're about to deep dive.
1. From Creating to Conceptualizing
As UX designers, we live for the moment when our designs solve a user's problem.
But have you ever thought about preemptively predicting and tackling these problems?
It’s a bit unusual, but strikingly effective.
CEO: "We've got to reduce customer churn."
Strategic UX Designer: "Let's redesign the subscription cancellation flow.
By understanding why they're leaving, we can address underlying issues and even persuade them to stay."
A strategic UX designer foresees problems and leverages “design” to solve them. It's about adding strategic foresight to your UX toolkit.
2. Business Acumen
It's time for the marriage of business and UX!
Think of it as the ultimate power couple.
Understanding the business model, financial metrics, and strategic objectives are no longer optional for UX designers.
They're necessary.
Consider how you can boost average revenue per user (ARPU).
A traditional UX perspective might emphasize user satisfaction.
A strategic UX designer, however, wonders how a delightful user experience could lead to upselling opportunities.
Product Manager: "We're seeing low engagement with our premium features."
Strategic UX Designer: "What if we introduced a limited-time free trial of these features within our basic plan? It could drive curiosity and engagement."
Remember, strategic UX is about elevating design to drive business growth.
3. The UX-Business Translator
As UXers, we're naturals at empathizing with users.
However, in the realm of strategic UX design, another species emerges: stakeholders.
You'll need to learn their language, their pain points, and their needs.
You become a UX-business translator, bridging the gap between user needs and business objectives, facilitating communication, and fostering understanding.
Marketing Lead: "We need to increase our brand visibility."
Strategic UX Designer: "Let's design an engaging referral program. It creates user-driven brand awareness and also improves their experience."
A strategic UX designer mediates between user experience and business value, ensuring both are on the same page.
4. Introduce Non-Linear Thinking
Design thinking is traditionally a linear process. Sort of.
But life isn't linear, and neither should be your design thinking.
Embrace chaos, uncertainty, and think in a cyclical, feedback-driven way.
It's about understanding the complexity of both the user's world and the business environment.
Project Manager: "The new feature development is lagging."
Strategic UX Designer: "Maybe it's time to step back, re-evaluate, and refine our approach. Let's leverage user feedback and business metrics to inform our next steps."
An unconventional path often leads to unconventional success.
In the world of strategic UX design, adaptability is key.
Time for a Strategic Shift?
Becoming a strategic UX designer is less about reinventing yourself and more about adding layers to your existing skill set.
It's about shifting perspectives, embracing ambiguity, and fusing UX with business strategy.
Ultimately, it's not just about delivering a delightful user experience.
It's about designing an experience that delights both the user and the business.
Now, ask yourself, are you ready to elevate your UX game?
Are you prepared to become not just a UX designer, but a strategic UX designer?
Then it's time to rip up that rule book and write your own.
—Marina
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