Developers are resistant to change when it comes to UX. How can you convince them of its importance?

Agile Methodology: Encourage integrating UX practices within the Agile development process. Explain how UX research and testing can be valuable at every stage of development. Cross-Functional Teams: Promote collaboration between designers and developers, emphasizing that their combined expertise can lead to more innovative solutions. Collaborative Design Sessions: Involve developers in brainstorming and design sessions before finalizing UX decisions. This inclusion fosters a sense of ownership and understanding of UX importance. Incremental Changes: Instead of proposing a complete overhaul, recommend small and manageable UX improvements that developers can implement without feeling overwhelmed.

To convince developers of UX importance, focus on what matters to them: efficiency, maintainability, and user satisfaction. Use Data, Not Opinions – Show real metrics on user drop-offs and errors. Make UX Their Ally – Good UX reduces bug reports, confusion, and rework. Frame It as Performance & Scalability – Fewer clicks, better load times, and cleaner code. Give Real-World Examples – Show frustrating UX issues they can relate to. Involve Them Early – Ask for their input to make them feel included. Start Small – Suggest minor, impactful changes instead of major rewrites. When developers see that UX improves performance and reduces headaches, they’ll be more open to change.

Another effective approach is involving developers early in the UX process. Invite them to user testing sessions so they can witness firsthand how design decisions impact usability. Real user struggles can be more persuasive than abstract data. Additionally, frame UX as a tool for efficiency—better UX reduces support tickets, rework, and frustration, ultimately saving development time. Encourage collaboration between UX designers and developers, fostering a shared goal of creating seamless experiences. When developers see UX as a strategic advantage rather than an obstacle, they become active participants in building user-friendly products.

When working with developers, it's key to highlight how UX isn't just about aesthetics but about real, measurable results. Developers often focus on functionality and performance, which is great, but UX metrics like task success rate and error rate can show exactly how users are interacting with the product. I’ve found that when developers see how small UX tweaks can reduce errors and speed up task completion, they’re more open to integrating design improvements. It’s all about showing that UX is a tool to make their code work better for users, which ultimately makes their job more rewarding.

Speak Their Language – Explain UX improvements in terms of efficiency, performance, and fewer support issues. Show Data & Evidence – Use user research, metrics, and case studies to prove the impact of good UX. Involve Them Early – Bring developers into the design process to align goals and reduce friction. Highlight Business Value – Emphasize how better UX leads to higher user retention and revenue. Make It Easier – Provide clear documentation, design systems, and reusable components to simplify implementation. Small Wins First – Start with quick, impactful UX improvements to gain their trust.

One of the best ways to get developers on board with UX is by letting them hear it straight from the users. There’s something about seeing real people struggle with a feature or interface that turns abstract design concepts into something personal and urgent. I’ve had great success inviting developers to user testing sessions, watching users try (and sometimes fail) to complete tasks can make the need for UX improvements hit home in a way that data and reports can’t. Once developers understand the pain points users face, they often become more motivated to make changes that will genuinely improve the experience. It’s about making the user’s voice part of the conversation.

Even without making them listen to user interviews directly, what worked for me at times is simplify narating from user perspective, something like an enriched user story.

I involve developers in user feedback sessions so they can see firsthand how people interact with their work. Watching users struggle or succeed creates empathy and motivates developers to prioritize UX improvements.

I bring direct user feedback to the table, highlighting pain points and frustrations that users face due to existing design limitations. When developers see real users struggle, it humanizes the issue and fosters empathy, making them more receptive to change.

I’d say teaming up devs and designers is a no-brainer for killer results. Push for pair design sessions - devs get the why behind choices and see how code shapes the user vibe. Start them early in the process, and they’ll care more about the UX wins. It’s a solid way to blend function and feel.

When developers and designers work together from the start, it’s easier to align on both user needs and technical feasibility. I’ve found that pair design sessions are a great way to get everyone on the same page,developers can see firsthand how design decisions will impact the user experience, and designers can better understand the technical constraints. This kind of collaboration not only builds empathy but also sparks creativity in finding solutions that work for both the user and the system. It’s about getting everyone invested in a seamless experience.

I actively involve developers in the design process through design critiques, wireframe reviews, and early-stage discussions. By fostering a co-creation environment, I ensure their input is valued, which reduces resistance and builds a shared sense of ownership.

I have seen development teams resistant to UX when: 1) Dev has been isolated from design and treated as a production unit, or 2) when Dev has not worked with a UX team before. Just as we empathize with our end users, we should do the same for the disciplines we work with on a product team. When Development teams feel isolated, they feel undervalued with their input not being part of design decisions. For those who have not worked with UX, some of their responsibilities are being taken away and given to an unfamiliar group. Understanding these frustrations allows UX to then build the needed teaming with Dev where they are included in design decisions. Resistance turns into teamwork and productive discussions on tackling a product's design.

As a Product Manager, I often encourage my developers to focus on user experience (UX) improvements by sharing real-time examples of how small interactions can save users a significant amount of time. Sometimes, I even highlight how our competitors are advancing with better UI/UX designs, which helps keep my team motivated and fosters a desire for change.

The key to getting developers on board with UX is making sure they understand it not just as a separate discipline, but as something that directly influences their work. Offering them access to UX focused workshops or online courses is a game-changer. When they learn the "why" behind design principles like usability or how user feedback shapes features, they start to see their code in a new light. It's like unlocking a new level of awareness, where every line of code they write isn't just functional, but also user-friendly. This kind of knowledge helps create a sense of shared responsibility for the user experience, making everyone feel like they're on the same team.

Happens a lot. I just show them Clarity clicks, or how users drop after 3 steps. No debates - just real proof. It's not about design, it's about people using it without getting annoyed.

I promote UX awareness sessions or short workshops within the team, explaining the "why" behind design decisions. Educating developers about user psychology, accessibility, and UX principles helps bridge the gap and encourages more thoughtful collaboration.

Here’s proof UX rocks: Airbnb simplified booking - engagement and revenue jumped 30%. HubSpot streamlined navigation, doubled conversions. Bank of America tweaked forms, doubled sign-ups. Slack nailed onboarding, grew huge fast. UX boosts engagement, satisfaction, and cash - devs can’t argue with that.

To get developers to see the value of UX, it’s powerful to share stories of products that thrived after making UX a priority. When they hear about apps or platforms that saw major improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, or even sales just from small UX adjustments, it clicks. Developers are often focused on functionality, so showing them how well xecuted UX can directly impact a product’s success helps them realize that it’s not just about making things look pretty, it’s about making things work better for the user. Seeing these examples proves that great UX isn’t just good desigm, it’s a business strategy.