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Airbnb’s product management shift and the future of UX Research
Airbnb’s recent move to change the conventional PM function has sparked conversations in the tech world. Coupled with recent layoffs, the uncontrolled democratization of research, and the fascination with generative AI, it’s a crucial juncture for UX Researchers to reassess their role.
If you’ve been following the tech scene, you’ve likely heard about the Config 2023 Figma design conference. Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, made waves by asserting that they got rid of the traditional product management function. He said (see further details in this article):
“The designers are equal to the product managers. Actually, we got rid of the classic product management function. Apple didn’t have it either. We combined product management with product marketing and we said that you can’t develop products unless you know how to talk about the products.”
This led to reflections on the future of PM roles, how designers can elevate themselves, and a surge in related discussions (one of my personal favorites is this article). Yet, little attention has been given to how these changes impact UX Research. And in this article, I'll do just that so that we UX Researchers can position ourselves more strategically in the future changes in tech 🐵
The need for business acumen
I get it. It can be time-consuming to immerse yourself into a research project. Gathering requirements, understanding the potential impact of the research, choosing the right methodology, unblocking the recruitment of research participants and many other tasks are on our to-do list any time we run research.
Each of these steps couldn't be more relevant. But unfortunately, even when we do our best at them, we UX Researchers only end up as being great executors. Because here is the thing:
Can our insights really stick if they're not in touch with the business mindset?
