How to Deal with Difficult Stakeholders and Product Owners Who Don’t Value UX Research

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader

User experience (UX) research is crucial for building products that truly meet user needs. Yet, many UX professionals face a common challenge: stakeholders and product owners who do not see the value in investing time and resources into UX research. This resistance can slow down projects, reduce product quality, and create frustration for UX teams. Understanding how to navigate these situations can help you advocate for UX research effectively and build stronger collaboration.

UX research notes and sketches on a conference table

Difficult Stakeholders: Understand Their Perspective

Before pushing back on difficult stakeholders, try to understand why stakeholders or product owners might undervalue UX research. Common reasons include:

• Tight deadlines and budgets: They may see research as a luxury that slows down delivery.

• Lack of familiarity: Some may not fully understand what UX research involves or how it benefits the product.

• Past experiences: Previous projects might have had poor research outcomes or unclear results.

• Focus on metrics: Stakeholders often prioritize immediate business goals like revenue or user acquisition over qualitative insights.

  
  

By identifying their concerns, you can tailor your approach to address their specific doubts or constraints.

Communicate the Value Clearly

Many stakeholders respond better to clear, concrete benefits rather than abstract concepts. Use language that connects UX research to their goals:

• Explain how research reduces costly redesigns by identifying problems early.

• Share examples where research led to measurable improvements, such as increased user retention or reduced support tickets.

• Highlight how research uncovers real user needs, preventing assumptions that can derail the product.

• Use simple visuals or summaries to make findings easy to digest.

  
  

For example, instead of saying “We need to conduct usability testing,” say “Usability testing will help us find issues that cause users to abandon the signup process, which can increase conversions by up to 15%.”

Involve Them in the Process

Engaging stakeholders and product owners in UX research can increase their appreciation for its value. Invite them to:

• Participate in user interviews or testing sessions.

• Review research plans and provide input on what questions matter most.

• Attend presentations where you share findings and discuss implications.

  
  

When they see users struggling firsthand or hear direct feedback, it becomes harder to dismiss research as irrelevant.

Start Small and Show Quick Wins

If resistance is strong, begin with small, low-cost research activities that deliver fast, visible results. Examples include:

• Quick user surveys to validate assumptions.

• Guerrilla usability testing with a few users.

• Analyzing existing customer support tickets for common pain points.

  
  

Share these early wins with stakeholders to build trust and demonstrate how research informs better decisions without major delays or expenses.

Align Research with Business Goals

Frame UX research as a tool to support business objectives. For instance:

• Show how improving user experience can increase customer loyalty and lifetime value.

• Link research insights to reducing churn or boosting sales.

• Use data to demonstrate how UX improvements lower support costs.

  
  

When stakeholders see UX research as a way to achieve their targets, they are more likely to support it.

Build Relationships and Educate Over Time

Changing attitudes takes time. Use every interaction as an opportunity to educate stakeholders about UX research benefits. Share articles, case studies, or invite guest speakers who can provide fresh perspectives. Building trust and rapport helps create a culture where UX research is valued naturally.

Know When to Push Back and When to Compromise

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, stakeholders may remain skeptical. In these cases:

• Prioritize the most critical research activities that fit within constraints.

• Document your recommendations and the risks of skipping research.

• Seek allies within the organization who understand UX and can advocate alongside you.

  
  

Balancing persistence with pragmatism ensures you keep UX research on the radar without alienating key decision-makers.

UX researcher presenting user journey maps to stakeholders

Practical Example

A UX team once worked with a product owner who dismissed research as “too slow.” The team proposed a one-week usability test on a critical feature. They invited the product owner to observe sessions. After seeing users struggle with navigation, the product owner agreed to allocate more time for research in future sprints. This small step built trust and opened doors for deeper collaboration.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with stakeholders and product owners who don’t value UX research requires patience, clear communication, and strategic engagement. By understanding their concerns, showing tangible benefits, involving them in the process, and aligning research with business goals, you can build support for UX research over time. Start small, demonstrate quick wins, and keep educating to create lasting change. Your efforts will lead to better products and stronger teams.