Art or Science
UxP already embraces a broad umbrella of activity: graphics, navigation & structure, behavior, online help and personalization. Within all that,
There are two major approaches to the usability role
The Researcher
is an Academic person
with Analytical approach
who Evaluates
in a Laboratory environment
making Tests & Reports
is good at Identifying Issues
through Rigor & Methodology
The Usability Researcher is more likely to identify customer needs, data and behavior that have somehow been missed.
The Designer
is a Creative person
with Proactive approach
who Innovates
in a Studio environment
making Prototypes & Models
is good at Proposing Solutions
through Skill & Talent
The Interaction Designer delivers immediate solutions that can be easily grasped and provide satisfaction.
With appropriate backgound information the Interaction Designer can look at a site and come up with a fair number of viable design improvements quickly. Often that's all the client wants.
But there are also strong arguments for Usability Analysis. We now expect our sites to handle a more intimate relationship with the customer. We have the tools to harvest the customer behavior, organize the business information and deliver personalization.
The Usability Researcher should be able to identify things you've missed.
But you'll probably still need an Interaction Designer to come up with creative solutions.
Many production environments lump the two schools of effort together, even though they are actually very different. You rarely see this sort of rigorous separation of responsibilities. The "usability expert" is often expected to wear both hats, providing neutral analysis and creative advocacy. Sometimes that can get a little confusing.