The Unfinished Work of UX Research: Turning Insights into Action

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in integrating user research into work processes is the perception that research is optional rather than essential. Coming from an academic background, where depth and rigor are fundamental, I initially struggled with:

• The fast-paced nature of UX research compared to in-depth academic studies.

• Stakeholder resistance — many prioritize quick deliverables over research-driven insights.

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The Reality of Research Constraints In Industry

One of the reasons I pivoted to UX research was to move away from a space where research often exists in isolation — one of many publications rather than something that directly informs real-world change. But I quickly realized that, even in industry, research findings can still be deprioritized in favor of business goals.

Navigating research limitations: When only part of the solution gets implemented, but the work isn’t done yet.

This challenge became particularly evident when I was evaluating a government health website. Based on best practices, I recommended both heuristic evaluation and usability testing to identify and validate usability issues. However, due to stakeholder concerns about time and resources, I was only able to conduct the heuristic evaluation.

While both methods would have been beneficial, the heuristic evaluation still provided enough actionable insights to justify key updates. These findings, in turn, helped secure buy-in for usability testing, which was scheduled post-implementation.

This experience reinforced a hard truth: research impact is often gradual rather than immediate. Even when research uncovers clear user needs and pain points, business priorities, budgets, and timelines often dictate what gets implemented — and when. However, I’ve learned that incremental change still holds value. Even when a full-scale solution isn’t feasible, research can still shape long-term strategy.

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How to Overcome Research Roadblocks

Through my experiences, I’ve found a few key strategies to navigate these constraints:

• Frame research as an iterative process. Even limited research can drive meaningful improvements, setting the stage for further validation down the line.

• Demonstrate short-term wins. Highlighting quick, impactful changes helps gain stakeholder buy-in for more research in the future.

• Align research findings with business goals. Positioning research insights as a means to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or increase engagement makes them harder to ignore.

Essentially, UX research is a constant negotiation between rigor and constraints. While we might not always get to conduct research in the ways we ideally would, finding ways to make an impact — even in small increments — still matters.