In Scrum, we don’t do UX separately. We don’t have a “UX Sprint.” UX is part of the product. That means UX work is either:
- Needed to meet the Sprint Goal, so it’s done during the Sprint.
- Needed for future work, so it’s done as part of ongoing Product Backlog Refinement.
It’s that simple.
If you’re off doing speculative design in a vacuum, disconnected from the team, you’re not doing Scrum. You’re delaying learning and undermining flow. UX belongs in the real world, integrated into the delivery of value, not staged like a phase from a project plan.
Design as you go. Validate early. Iterate continuously.
Still running “design sprints”? Maybe it’s time to rethink what “done” really means for your team.