Episode 65: The ROI of UX Research with Ruby Pryor
Feb 1, 2024
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Ruby Pryor, UX Research expert, discusses the ROI of UX research, understanding business models, calculating ROI, and demonstrating the impact of UX research. They emphasize the need for designers to advocate for themselves and highlight their contributions to overall business success.
Defining the ROI of UX research and its importance in communicating value to stakeholders.
Understanding the impact of different business models and regulations on UX research recommendations.
The need for UX researchers to measure and communicate the impact of their work in relation to tangible business outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding the Value of UX Research
The podcast episode features a discussion with Ruby Prior, a UX researcher, on the topic of the ROI of UX research. Prior emphasizes the importance of defining the ROI of UX research and provides real-world examples of how it can be achieved. She discusses how factors like different business models, regulations, team dynamics, and context can impact the recommendations made by UX researchers. Prior also shares her personal journey in understanding the ROI of UX research and offers insights into determining the actual numbers and metrics to quantify the impact. The conversation highlights the need for UX researchers to have a strong understanding of business acumen and strategic priorities, as well as the ability to communicate the value of their work to stakeholders.
The Influence of Business Acumen on UX Research
Prior recommends that UX researchers deepen their understanding of business acumen and its impact on their work. She suggests following product managers, management consultants, and other professionals who discuss business-related topics on platforms like LinkedIn. Prior also highlights the importance of understanding various business models, strategic priorities, and regulations in different industries, particularly for highly regulated areas like FinTech. She encourages UX researchers to engage in intelligent conversations with experts from other fields and learn how to effectively communicate the value and impact of their work within the broader business context.
Demonstrating Impact and ROI in UX
The conversation emphasizes the need for UX researchers to demonstrate the impact and ROI of their work. Prior discusses how UX researchers can calculate the ROI of specific projects, including factors such as time spent by team members and the costs associated with building features. She stresses the importance of being reasonable with assumptions and focusing on directional accuracy rather than 100% precision. Prior also highlights the significance of understanding market sizing, net present value, and financial accounting concepts to effectively communicate the value proposition and impact of UX research. Additionally, she addresses concerns about justifying the ROI of UX research, emphasizing that it is a way to showcase the impact and value created by designers.
Being Proactive in Impact Measurement
Prior encourages UX researchers to be proactive in measuring and communicating the impact of their work. She highlights the role of designers in decision-making and influence on business metrics such as revenue growth and cost reduction. Prior suggests that UX researchers should go beyond reporting on design activities and focus on connecting their work to tangible business outcomes. She discusses the need to understand the organization's business model, strategic priorities, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to effectively communicate the value created by UX research. Prior emphasizes that taking accountability for both successes and failures is essential for becoming an influential and impactful UX researcher.
Owning the Narrative of UX Impact
The conversation concludes by stressing the importance of UX researchers owning their own narrative in demonstrating impact. Prior highlights the need for UX researchers to articulate and shape the impact of their work by learning from other professionals and organizations that effectively communicate ROI. She suggests joining conversations, acquiring business acumen, and leveraging the conviction and expertise of designers to showcase the results, successes, and potential of UX research. Prior encourages UX researchers to celebrate their ability to create impact and take accountability by actively contributing to conversations and measuring the value they bring to organizations.
Aurelius Podcast - Episode 65 highlights with Ruby Pryor:
- Defining the ROI of UX and UX Research
- The case for building confidence in speaking about UX Research in terms of dollars
- Understanding how certain recommendations you make impact the fundamental business model of where you work
- Business models, understanding them and how UX Research work fits into them
- Examples of how to determine and communicate the ROI of UX research
- How to calculate the ROI of UX and research
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