Solve complex problems and test new ideas using Design Sprints.
Through Design Sprints, a method from the world of digital start-ups, I can help your team to understand the needs and wants of the end user.
Utilizing the expertise and creativity within the team, we quickly arrive at concrete solutions which we test among the target group.
In 5 to 10 days we work towards a validated solution in the shape of a prototype, we create a clear plan for development and build an enthusiastic team with a shared vision.
What is a Design Sprint?
A Design sprint is a time-constrained, five-phase process that uses design thinking to reduce the risk when bringing a new product, service or a feature to the market.
Main benefits of a design Sprint
Speed – Shortcut the endless-debate cycle and compress months of time into a single week.
Insights – Get clear data from user test with realistic prototypes rather than testing with a minimal viable after launch to see if your idea is any good.
Validation – The Sprint gives you the superpower to fast-forward into the future: see your finished digital service and customer reactions before making any expensive commitments.
What does a typical Design Sprint look like?
Getting ready
Before the Sprint begins, we’ll need to have the right challenge and create the right smart team to tackle it. We’ll also need time and space for our Sprint.
Day 1 – Map
Our first day’s structured discussions create a path for the design sprint week.
In the morning we’ll agree to a long-term goal and make a map of the challenge.
In the afternoon, we’ll ask the experts from your organization to share their thoughts on the challenge.
At the end of the day we’ll pick a target: an ambitious but manageable piece of the problem that we can solve in 1 week.
Day 2 – Ideate
After a full day of understanding the problem and choosing a target for our design sprint, on Tuesday we get to focus on solutions.
The day starts with inspiration: a review of existing ideas to remix and improve.
Then, in the afternoon, each person will sketch, following a four-step process that emphasizes critical thinking over artistry. We’ll also begin planning Friday’s customer test by recruiting customers that fit your target profile.
Day 3 – Storyboard
By day 3 your team will have a stack of solutions. That’s great, but it’s also a problem. You can’t prototype and test them all: you need one solid plan.
In the morning, we’ll critique each solution, and decide which ones have the best chance of achieving your long-term goal.
Then, in the afternoon, we’ll take the winning scenes from your sketches and weave them into a storyboard: a step-by-step plan for your prototype.
Day 4 – Prototype
On day 4, you’ll adopt a “fake it” philosophy to turn that storyboard into a prototype. A realistic façade is all you need to test with customers. And here’s the best part: by focusing on the customer-facing surface of your product or service, you can finish your prototype in just one day. On Thursday, you’ll also make sure everything is ready for Friday’s test by confirming the schedule, reviewing the prototype and writing an interview script.
Day 5 – Test
Your design sprint began with a big challenge, an excellent team — and not much else. By day 5, we’ve created promising solutions, chosen the best, and built a realistic prototype. That alone would make for an impressively productive week. But you’ll take it one step further as you interview customers and learn by watching them react to your prototype. This test makes the entire design sprint worthwhile: At the end of the day, you’ll know how far you have to go, and you’ll know just what to do next.