Thriving as a Small UX Research Team in a Large Organization

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader

Being a small UX research department in a sprawling organization can feel like steering a kayak in a sea of cargo ships. You’re nimble, strategic, and often under the radar—but your impact can be profound. Whether you're a team of one or a lean group of three, your role is critical in shaping user-centered decisions across the enterprise.

Here’s how to thrive, influence, and scale your impact—even when your headcount is small.

1. Embrace Your Strategic Position

Small teams often have a bird’s-eye view of the organization. You’re not siloed into one product or function—you’re able to spot patterns, connect dots, and advocate for users across business units.

• Position yourself as a strategic partner, not just a service provider.

• Align with high-impact initiatives where research can drive clarity and confidence.

• Use your agility to respond quickly, pilot new methods, and experiment with scalable approaches.

2. Build Relationships Relentlessly

In large organizations, influence often travels through relationships. Invest time in building trust with:

• Product managers and designers

• Marketing and analytics teams

• Engineering and customer support

Host office hours, join sprint reviews, and proactively share insights. The more visible and collaborative you are, the more embedded research becomes.

3. Prioritize Ruthlessly

You can’t do everything—and that’s okay. Focus on projects that:

• Align with strategic goals

• Have high ambiguity or risk

• Impact multiple teams or user segments

Use a prioritization framework (like ICE or RICE) to evaluate incoming requests. Communicate trade-offs clearly and offer alternative support (e.g., templates, coaching, or secondary research) when you can’t take on a project directly.

4. Operationalize for Scale

Systems are your secret weapon. Create lightweight, repeatable processes that help you do more with less:

• Research intake forms and prioritization rubrics

• Standardized templates for plans, reports, and recruitment

• A centralized repository for past studies and insights

Operational excellence builds trust and makes it easier to onboard collaborators or scale your team in the future.

5. Empower Others Through Enablement

You don’t have to do all the research yourself. Train and support others to conduct lightweight research responsibly:

• Create playbooks and checklists for common methods

• Offer training sessions or “research 101” workshops

• Review plans and provide coaching, not just execution

This builds a research-aware culture and extends your reach without diluting quality.

6. Tell Stories That Travel

Insights don’t speak for themselves—your storytelling does. Package your findings in ways that resonate:

• Use compelling narratives and user quotes

• Tie insights to business metrics and decisions

• Create shareable formats like highlight reels, dashboards, or one-pagers

The goal is not just to inform—but to inspire action.

7. Advocate for Growth (Strategically)

As your impact grows, so should your team. Track and share metrics that demonstrate value:

• Number of studies conducted

• Teams supported

• Decisions influenced

• Time or cost saved

Use these data points to build a case for headcount, budget, or tooling. Frame growth as an investment in better decisions—not just more research.

Final Thoughts

Being a small UX research team in a large organization is a challenge—but also a unique opportunity. You’re positioned to drive clarity, build bridges, and champion the user voice across silos. With strategic focus, operational rigor, and a collaborative mindset, you can punch far above your weight—and pave the way for a more user-centered culture.

Philip Burgess | philipburgess.net | phil@philipburgess.net