What Happens in a Design Sprint?
Design Sprints are a structured way for teams to solve complex problems and validate new ideas in a week instead of months. So what happens in a Design Sprint week?
What is a Design Sprint?
The Design Sprint was created at Google by Jake Knapp, author of the Sprint book. This process helps teams to align, gain clarity, and de-risk their product or service before development.
This method is used globally by all kinds of companies, from startups to organizations such as Twitter, Lego, Netflix, Adidas, and the UN.
Important Principles of a Sprint:
Getting started is valued over perfection.
The purpose is to test a simulation NOT build the product.
Learn fast and iterate.
When to run a Design Sprint?
A Design Sprint usually takes place in the design phase, before development.
Run a Sprint when there’s a big problem, and uncertainty around the solution.
If you have a big challenge but you KNOW the solution, don’t run a Sprint.
Besides digital products, Design Sprints can also be used to test ideas for physical products, services, or marketing ideas.
Before the Design Sprint
Choose the Sprint team, usually around 5 to 7 people
Day 1 - MAP
Align the team on the goal and key metrics
Interview the experts
Map the customer experience and the most important challenge to solve
Day 2 - SKETCH
Find inspiration and sketch ideas for possible solutions
Sketch detailed competing solutions for the target challenge
Day 3 - DECIDE
Choose the strongest solution
Decide what to test in the prototype
Day 4 - PROTOTYPE
Build a realistic prototype (simulation) to test with users
Day 5 - TEST
Test prototype on 5 users
Note any challenges
Assess product/market fit
After the Design Sprint
Based on user testing:
✅ the user results are positive, you will gain confidence to move forward
If the results are negative or uncertain,
🟡 iterate and test an updated prototype
❌ or kill the project
Test and learn before investing too much time and money.
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