How the organisation’s level of UX maturity can provide opportunities for career growth
As UX maturity increases within an organisation, there is typically more recognition of the importance of UX design, which can lead to greater career opportunities for UX professionals.
I was recently introduced to the UX maturity model from NNG, of which provides a breakdown of stages of maturity a UX organisation integrates UX design into its processes and culture. There are three levels of UX organisation maturity: low, medium, and high. As organisations increasingly prioritise user experience (UX) design, the maturity of UX organisations is becoming increasingly important.
Therefore, the UX maturity model can be an ideal model in helping UX professionals identify areas where they may need to advocate for UX design or push for organisational changes that can lead to greater UX maturity and career growth opportunities. UX professionals can use the UX maturity model to assess the maturity of their current or prospective organisation in order to determine potential career growth opportunities.
Below are some suggestions in how you can grow your career depending on the organisation’s maturity:
Low maturity UX organisations
For individuals just starting out in UX, while low maturity organizations may offer fewer opportunities for career growth, they can still provide valuable learning experiences and opportunities to build a portfolio.
Low maturity UX organisations are those that have not yet fully integrated UX design into their processes and culture. These Organisations may not have a dedicated UX team or may not involve users in the design and development process. UX designers in low maturity Organisations may find themselves working in isolation, without the support and collaboration of other stakeholders.
In low maturity organisations, UX professionals have a great opportunity to take on a variety of responsibilities, such as conducting user research, creating wireframes, and designing user interfaces. These experiences can help them build their skills and understanding of UX design, as well as helping to start building foundations for UX within the organisation with templates and processes.
Opportunities for career growth in low maturity UX organisations
While there may be fewer opportunities for career growth in low maturity UX organisations, there are still ways for UX designers to advance their careers. Here are three ways UX designers can advance their careers in low maturity UX organisations:
Advocate for UX design
UX designers in low maturity Organisations can advocate for the importance of UX design and work to integrate UX design into the organisation’s processes and culture. This can involve educating other stakeholders about the value of UX design in workshops or presentations, and demonstrating the benefits of involving users in the design and development process through metrics and results driven design.
Develop skills in other areas
UX designers in low maturity organisations can develop have a chance to develop skills in related areas such as web development, content strategy, or digital marketing. This can make them more valuable to their organisations and increase their potential for career growth.
Seek out external opportunities
UX designers in low maturity organisations may need to seek out external opportunities, such as attending conferences or networking events, to advance their careers. These opportunities can help them stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with other professionals in the field.
As UX professionals gain experience and skills, you may want to seek out opportunities in medium or high maturity organisations, where there may be greater opportunities for career growth and specialisation in niche areas of UX design. However, starting out in a low maturity organisation can provide valuable learning experiences and help lay the foundation for future career growth in UX design.
Medium maturity UX organisations
For individuals just starting out in UX and entering a medium UX maturity organisation, there can be a range of opportunities for career growth and skill development. In medium maturity organisations, there may be established UX design processes and a culture of user-centred design, providing a supportive environment for UX professionals to learn and grow.
Medium maturity UX organisations are those that have started to integrate UX design into their processes and culture, but may not yet have fully adopted user-centred design practices. These organisations may have a dedicated UX team and involve users in the design and development process, but may not conduct extensive user research or iterate on designs based on user feedback.
As a new UX professional in a medium maturity organisation, there may be opportunities to work on UX design projects and gain experience in a variety of areas, such as user research, information architecture, and interaction design. Working closely with more experienced UX designers can also provide valuable mentorship and learning opportunities.
Opportunities for career growth in medium maturity UX organisations
Medium maturity UX organisations offer more opportunities for career growth than low maturity organisations. Here are four ways UX designers can advance their careers in medium maturity UX organisations:
Lead UX design projects
UX designers in medium maturity organisations may have the opportunity to lead UX design projects and work with cross-functional teams. This can help them develop leadership and project management skills, which can be valuable for future career growth.
Specialise in a niche area
Medium maturity UX organisations may have specialised roles for UX designers, such as UX researcher or interaction designer. UX designers who specialise in a particular area of UX design can increase their opportunities for career growth.
Develop user-centred design skills
UX designers in medium maturity organisations can develop their skills in user-centred design practices, such as user research and usability testing. This can help them advance their careers and make them more valuable to the organization.
Seek out leadership opportunities
Medium maturity UX organisations may have opportunities for UX designers to take on leadership roles, such as UX manager or director of UX. UX designers who demonstrate leadership qualities and have experience managing teams may be considered for these roles.
High maturity UX organisations
High maturity UX Organisations are those that have fully integrated UX design into their processes and culture. These organisations prioritize user-centred design practices and involve users throughout the design and development process. UX designers in high maturity organisations work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and use data and feedback to iterate on designs over time.
Opportunities for career growth in high maturity UX organisations
For individuals just starting out in UX and entering a high UX maturity organisation, there can be numerous opportunities for career growth and professional development. In high maturity organisations, there may be a well-established UX design process, a culture of user-centred design, and a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation.
As a new UX professional in a high maturity organisation, there may be opportunities to work on high-impact UX design projects and contribute to the organisation’s strategic goals. This can provide valuable experience and exposure to the latest trends and best practices in UX design.
High maturity UX organisations offer the most opportunities for career growth for UX designers. Here are four ways UX designers can advance their careers in high maturity UX Organisations:
Specialise in a niche area
High maturity UX organisations may have specialised roles for UX designers, such as UX researcher, interaction designer, or information architect. UX designers who specialise in a particular area of UX design can increase their opportunities for career growth.
Develop leadership and management skills
UX designers in high maturity organisations may have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, such as UX manager or director of UX. Developing leadership and management skills can be valuable for career growth in high maturity UX organisations.
Pursue advanced education
High maturity UX organisations may offer opportunities for UX designers to pursue advanced education, such as a master’s degree in human-computer interaction or a related field. Pursuing advanced education can help UX designers stay up-to-date on industry trends and deepen their knowledge and skills.
Move into other roles
UX designers in high maturity organisations may have the opportunity to move into other roles, such as product manager or user research manager. These roles can offer new challenges and opportunities for career growth.
Overall, for individuals just starting out in UX and entering a high UX maturity organisation, there can be numerous opportunities for career growth and professional development. By taking advantage of these opportunities, and by building their skills and experience over time, UX professionals can position themselves for continued growth and success in the field of UX design.
To sum up the main points of the blog post, the maturity of a UX organisation can have a significant impact on the opportunities for career growth for UX designers. UX designers should consider the maturity of a UX organisation when evaluating potential career opportunities and seek out organisations that prioritise user-centred design practices and offer opportunities for career growth.
If you’re interested in receiving mentorship from me, whether it’s for a one-off call or for short-term or long-term membership in UX Design, feel free to book a 30-minute consultation with me through my Calendly link. I look forward to helping you grow in your UX Design career!
