UX Writer Competencies

Level
Skill (Individual)
Influence (Team)
Thinking (Team)
L1 - Writer I
• Developing an understanding of UX writing fundamentals and beginning to apply this knowledge to content projects within your product area • Crafting precise, error-free content • Writing for end-to-end flows, aiding in interaction design decisions, and delivering content in partnership with Product Design
• Collaborates with PMs, product designers, and managers, participating in existing processes • Delivers UX writing projects that are small to medium in size (2-4 weeks long) • Contributes to content strategy from user research through QA • Begins to document work clearly for partners
• Developing an understanding of the strategy behind project work and its impact on customers and product goals • Uses this understanding to start making informed UX writing decisions
L2 -Writer II
• Demonstrating solid understanding of UX writing fundamentals and confidently applying this knowledge to content projects within your product area • Developing broader UX writing frameworks and playbooks for your pods or core product areas
• Fully understands the product area’s problem space • Begins to lead steps in the product development process, such as research sessions and engineering handoffs
• Clearly understands the strategy behind project work and its impact on customers and product goals • Proactively identifies ways UX writing can contribute to product goals
L3 - Sr Writer
• Possesses a strong understanding of UX writing fundamentals • Applies this knowledge across multiple product areas • Leads UX writing work that impacts the entire pillar, either through expertise in a high-impact area or foundational systems work
• Actively participates in the product development process • Drives content work across multiple teams • Delivers medium to large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long) • Helps define new templates and processes for content documentation
• Clearly understands the strategy behind project work and its broader impact to the company • Contributes to product strategy and roadmaps • Proactively identifies UX writing needs across multiple projects and uses evidence to validate content decisions
L4 - Lead Writer
• Demonstrates expert-level understanding of UX writing fundamentals • Beginning to coach others developing understanding of UX writing. • Leading UX writing work that influences the entire product organization.
• Plays a key role in setting product direction for the pillar • Defines the business value of UX writing work • Influences how content fits into the product development process • Defines scope and prioritization for content-driven pillar work
• Deeply understands the pillar’s problem spaces • Establishes clear working processes across teams and stakeholders • Autonomously delivers on large to extra-large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long and beyond) • Leads strategic conversations at the pillar level
L5 - Staff Writer
• Applies expert-level understanding of UX writing fundamentals to solve needs for the pillar and beyond • Coaches others in developing their understanding of UX writing • Leads UX writing work that influences several pillars, involving cross-team decision-makers and executive stakeholders
• Plays a key role in setting product direction for the pillar • Defines the business value of UX writing work • Influences how content fits into the product development process • Defines scope and prioritization for content-driven work
• Deeply understands pillar problem spaces • Establishes clear working processes across teams and stakeholders • Autonomously delivers on large to extra-large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long and beyond) • Leads strategic product conversations at the pillar level
L6 - Principal Writer
• Applies expert-level understanding of content and interaction design principles to high-priority projects • Coaches others in UX writing across the company • Represents the company and advocates for UX writing methodologies and practices in the industry
• Deeply understands company-wide goals • Influences C-Suite decision-making and strategy • Defines the scope and prioritization for content-driven work at the company level
• Deeply understands the company’s organization and processes • Establishes new ways of working for UX writing at large • Proactively scopes and delivers on large to extra-large UX writing-led projects (quarter-long and beyond) • Drives strategic conversations at the company level