Great post! There is no middle, compromised ground where UX can stand and be true to the value principles of HCD while being "in-service to" Agile product leadership and IT's push towards delivering software over serving users and customers. The other dominant factor in enterprise digital transformation with Agile is the embrace of COTS as the solution. Those decisions minimize user research and service design, and in the process marginalize UX - turning UX teams into "the wrench' and away from human-centered experience strategy and design.
Thanks for the brilliant post. It helped me to reflect on this unwinnable battle. I shared it with my team mates, we will have a "design therapy" about this topic.
I believe the issue isn’t just about fitting UX into Agile but about rethinking how we determine what’s actually worth building. I see many UXers advocating tirelessly for user needs, but often without aligning those needs with a business perspective. This can sometimes lead to a dynamic where UX feels sidelined, almost playing the victim role, which, in my experience, fosters a toxic environment.
What if we took the concept of ‘pivot triggers’ and aligned them with UX outcomes—focusing on shifts in user behavior as the main signals for pivots, rather than simply reacting to stakeholder requests? It feels like this could position UX as a more proactive force, rather than constantly needing to justify its place in the process.
I've noticed that design management today seems desperate to prove its value to the board once again. They know that agile and design are not a good match, yet they're resorting to agile methods again—such as rigidly structuring deliveries and using metrics like Kanban—when, in reality, we've already moved past this point. It feels like we're stuck in a cycle, constantly needing to revalidate something that's already been established.
Great post! There is no middle, compromised ground where UX can stand and be true to the value principles of HCD while being "in-service to" Agile product leadership and IT's push towards delivering software over serving users and customers. The other dominant factor in enterprise digital transformation with Agile is the embrace of COTS as the solution. Those decisions minimize user research and service design, and in the process marginalize UX - turning UX teams into "the wrench' and away from human-centered experience strategy and design.
Good points
Thanks for the brilliant post. It helped me to reflect on this unwinnable battle. I shared it with my team mates, we will have a "design therapy" about this topic.
"Design therapy", I love it!
Thanks for a great post.
I believe the issue isn’t just about fitting UX into Agile but about rethinking how we determine what’s actually worth building. I see many UXers advocating tirelessly for user needs, but often without aligning those needs with a business perspective. This can sometimes lead to a dynamic where UX feels sidelined, almost playing the victim role, which, in my experience, fosters a toxic environment.
What if we took the concept of ‘pivot triggers’ and aligned them with UX outcomes—focusing on shifts in user behavior as the main signals for pivots, rather than simply reacting to stakeholder requests? It feels like this could position UX as a more proactive force, rather than constantly needing to justify its place in the process.
Yup. That's why I talk about design research and not "user" research. Research should include all stakeholders, which includes business alignment.
well written!
I've noticed that design management today seems desperate to prove its value to the board once again. They know that agile and design are not a good match, yet they're resorting to agile methods again—such as rigidly structuring deliveries and using metrics like Kanban—when, in reality, we've already moved past this point. It feels like we're stuck in a cycle, constantly needing to revalidate something that's already been established.
Thanks for turning me on to “Prescott’s Pickle Principle”. The concept is obvious, but the analogy and imagery is awesome. 🥒🫙
Good read Charles, thanks! The pickle thing was new to me, loved that.
User research & understanding of business situation (via Wardley maps, for example).