Our methods explained - Part 3: Design Sprint

Procedure

The design sprint procedure usually comprises the following phases:

1. Understanding and defining the problem: On the first day, the team defines the problem or challenge to be solved and identifies clear objectives for the design sprint.
2. Idea generation: Various ideas and solution approaches are collected in an intensive brainstorming process. All team members and process participants contribute their perspectives and expertise in order to generate a broad pool of ideas.
3. Decision and prototyping: The team selects the most promising ideas and develops a prototype from them. This prototype can take the form of sketches, wireframes or interactive mock-ups. The focus here is on the rapid implementation and visualization of the concepts.
4. Testing and validation: Potential users test the created prototype to obtain feedback and insights. The test can be carried out in the form of usability tests, interviews or other validated methods.

Special features

The special features of the design sprint include:

• Collaboration and diversity: the involvement of a multidisciplinary team is an advantage because different ideas and approaches to solutions emerge with different expertise and perspectives.
• Focused and intensive working methods: The design sprint is designed for a short time span of a few days in order to achieve quick results and increase the efficiency of the development process.
• User-centered development: The use of prototypes and tests with users ensures that the developed product meets the needs and expectations of the target group.
• Agile adaptation and iteration: The design sprint makes it possible to obtain feedback at an early stage. Adjustments and iterations are made on this basis. This allows the product to improve continuously.

Advantages and benefits

The advantages and benefits of the design sprint are:

• Rapid development and validation of ideas: The design sprint makes it possible to develop ideas quickly. Initial prototypes are also created and tested directly. This provides early insights into feasibility and relevance.
• Effective collaboration and communication: Intensive collaboration within the team promotes communication and exchange, which in turn makes a shared vision and direction possible in the first place.
• Reduction of risks: By using prototypes and testing with users, potential problems and weaknesses are identified at an early stage and can be rectified before actual development begins.
• Promoting innovation and creativity: The design sprint encourages creative thought processes and makes it possible to develop and test innovative solutions.

 
Sources

Knapp, J., Zeratsky, J., Kowitz, B. (2016). Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days. Simon & Schuster.