WHY THE TRADITIONAL UX PROCESS HOLDS DESIGNERS BACK

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

The traditional UX design process creates a comforting but misleading framework that suggests following the correct sequence will guarantee great user experiences. In reality, UX work is messy and iterative, involving loops, zigzags, and constant backtracking as teams discover new insights, redefine problems mid-project, and adapt to constraints like budget, time, and regulatory requirements. Rather than rigidly adhering to prescribed stages, teams should embrace adaptive workflows that prioritize experimentation, continuous user feedback, outcome-focused work, and flexibility to revisit assumptions at any point in the process.