Why Some UX Practices Are Broken—and What We Can Do About It
Why Some UX Practices Are Broken—and What We Can Do About It
or, why user-centricity may not be enough
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Today, we are going to discuss a sensitive topic of broken UX practices and what we can do to fix them…
In the world of UX, we always say the mantra: "Put the user first."
It’s well-intentioned, but sometimes oversimplifies the reality of design work.
The problem is that focusing too heavily on users can lead us down a path where we overlook key stakeholders, business goals, or even the designers’ own expertise.
As designers, we risk becoming order-takers instead of strategists—chasing the approval of users at the expense of broader impact.
But what if we’re missing something crucial by limiting ourselves to user-centered thinking?
The Broken Practice: Designing Exclusively for Users
The user-first mindset works wonders for usability testing and interface optimization.
However, in practice, it can create what I call the "Feedback Trap"—a cycle where designers prioritize endless tweaks to satisfy individual user feedback, often at the cost of strategic innovation.
The result is a product that’s usable but lacks differentiation or long-term vision.
One study I read recently shown that 86% of usability issues were minor friction points that could easily be resolved—but many of the proposed solutions didn’t significantly change the overall product experience.
This suggests that while we’re good at fixing micro-issues, we may be ignoring the bigger picture.
What If We Shifted from "User-Centered" to "Context-Centered" Design?
Instead of thinking about users in isolation, shouldn’t we consider context-centered design—a broader approach that examines how users interact within ecosystems of technology, stakeholders, and business goals?
This expands the scope beyond usability and allows us to design for systemic impact, not just individual user needs.
Think of it as designing not just the garden, but the entire ecosystem in which it grows.
Products thrive when they fit into broader systems—whether it’s the business context, the competitive landscape, or evolving user behaviors.
Consider Spotify’s Discover Weekly again: it’s loved not just because of its usability, but because it fits within a larger ecosystem of personalized music curation.
It’s part of a system that understands user preferences, aligns with Spotify’s business goals (increased engagement), and adds serendipity that feels like magic.
How We Can Apply Context-Centered Thinking
To embrace context-centered design, we need to rethink a few key practices:
Zoom OUT before you zoom IN:
Before diving into user research, start by mapping the broader ecosystem—what are the business goals? How do users interact with your product alongside others? What are the technological constraints? This perspective will guide more strategic decision-making.
Prioritize for the future (not just for today)
When users provide feedback, it’s often reactive—focused on fixing what’s broken in the present moment. As designers, we need to strike a balance between addressing immediate user concerns and building for long-term evolution. Ask yourself: “Will this feedback help us move toward a future state or just patch a present issue?”
Collaborate with stakeholders as co-designers (for real!)
Instead of treating stakeholders like blockers to user-centered design, invite them in as co-creators. Stakeholders often have a deeper understanding of business needs or market trends that users aren’t aware of. Co-designing with them may allow for solutions that are both user-friendly AND strategically aligned.
Balancing Users with Strategy
None of this is to say that user research doesn’t matter—of course it does!
But when we focus too much on users, we can overlook how the product needs to evolve within a competitive, technological, and business landscape.
Great UX isn’t just about responding to what users say; it’s about anticipating what they need, even before they know it themselves.
In fact, a study by Forrester found that businesses that integrated UX within their strategic processes saw a 400% increase in returns.
When UX is aligned with broader business goals and future growth, it doesn’t just satisfy users—it drives real, measurable success.
A few actionable takeaways
Audit your current design process: Where are you prioritizing user feedback over long-term strategy? What broader context is being ignored?
Get stakeholder input early: Don’t wait until the final stages to involve stakeholders. Bring them in early, co-create, and ensure that the product aligns with both user and business needs.
Challenge conventional thinking: Is "user-first" thinking stifling innovation in your design process? Find a balance between user needs and contextual strategy to create products that are not just usable but impactful.
The future of UX isn’t just about delighting users—it’s about designing systems that work for everyone involved: users, stakeholders, and the business.
So by broadening our perspective and moving beyond the user-first mindset, we can create products that not only solve today’s problems but lead to tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Till next time,
Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments.
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another piece of fantastic advice!! thank you for sharing these!
Totally agree with all these points! I’d also say leveraging designer intuition is so critical in moments of indecisiveness or too much feedback. As designers, we should trust our vision and reasonings behind certain features/products so we can also contribute to an effective UX practice alongside stakeholders and users.