Story: Design consultancy

As you know the industry movement, people don’t feel many values on a graphic/visual design solution. People look for deep-core solutions. Some design agency provides design consultancy service. They define a problem and provide a solution by design. How do they find a problem? One way is the design sprint which was created by Google Ventures (the core idea is invented by Jake Knapp).

The sprint is a five-day process for answering critical business questions through design, prototyping and testing ideas with customers. Developed at GV, it’s a “greatest hits” of business strategy, innovation, behavior science, design thinking, and more—packaged into a battle-tested process that any team can use. – Google Ventures

What is the design sprint?

©GV

Set the stage:
– Choose a big challenge.
– Recruit a sprint team.
– Block five full days on the calendar.
– Book a room with two whiteboards.
– Get sprint supplies.

This is not the latest video In 2019, it’s possible in 3-4 days and the decision-maker does not need to participate in whole days.

Design Sprint: Monday

©GV

Monday (understanding the problem): 10 am to 5 pm
– Start with an introduction, explain about sprint
– Start at the end. Write long-term goal and list questions and assumptions.
– Make a map. Create user flow(draft).
– Ask the experts. Set time limit. Improve map.
– How might we? Then, organize, sort the category.
“We use the How Might We format because it suggests that a solution is possible and because they offer you the chance to answer them in a variety of ways. A properly framed How Might We doesn’t suggest a particular solution, but gives you the perfect frame for innovative thinking.” – Ideo.org

– Pick a target. 
*Don’t be perfect. Keep moving through.
*Reframe problems as opportunities.
*You can find resources at the Sprint book website above. If you buy the book on Audible, you will find a checklist PDF, from preparing to interview tips.

Design Sprint: Tuesday

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Tuesday (sketch solution): 10 am to 5 pm
– Lightning demos. Review great solutions from other industries/companies etc…
– Sketch. Taking notes, ideas, crazy 8*, solution. 
*Crazy 8’s is a core Design Sprint method. It is a fast sketching exercise that challenges people to sketch eight distinct ideas in eight minutes.

*The great innovation comes from remixing old ideas.
*Work alone together
*Prepare for user testing

Design Sprint: Wednesday

©GV

Wednesday (making a decision): 10 am to 5 pm
– The sticky decision. Review in silence. Like, dislike of parts.
– Structure decision. Choose components.
– Rumble. Some ideas might be contradicted. Make a specific plan.
– Storyboard. Blueprint of a prototype. Gap fills in new ideas.

Design Sprint: Thursday

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Thursday (prototyping day): 10 am to 5 pm
– Prototype mindset. 
– Build a facade. Make it real.
– Pick the right tools. 
– Divide and conquer.
– Stitch together and Trail run.

The book mentions prototype is disposal, but can we really make a prototype in a day?

Design Sprint: Friday

©GV

Friday (front of customer): 9 am to 5 pm
– Interview. 1 on 1. The team watches an interview in the other room.
– Look for a pattern on the notes.
– Make a plan. What to do next.

* The second sprint should be short.

I am sure that real user testing is meaningful, but it is not always available in real life. The book mentions using Craigslist and network. I searched user testing on Craigslist, but I could not find it. If you prefer a more authentic way, you can use the online services for user testing below.

More deep info by NN/g: User Testing Articles & Videos

Design Sprint: Interview

©GV

– Friendly welcome.
– Context questions.
– Introduce the prototype.
– Tasks. Watch the customer figure out the prototype on her/his own. Ask questions occasionally.
– Quick debrief.

Design Sprint benefits

– Save time and money.
– Real feedback.
– Validate your business ideas.
– Generates business and innovation.
– Align expectations with your team.
etc…

There are many benefits for the design process by design sprint. Regardless of the in-house team or client, everyone involves in a project and incorporates ideas to prototype sounds great. In real life, I don’t have a chance to facilitate design sprint. However, it will change my design process during the project.

*Updated: February 12, 2022

I bought the book, Sprint, on Audible. I knew I wrote a blog a while ago. There is a PDF with an Audible, but a video is helpful. I can see the 5 days process visually. I may not real sprint with clients, but I am sure that my question to clients will be changed in some way.

When the book was released in 2016, no one expected the current situation. Tools are developed. In 2022, online Sprint is possible to run.

Reference:

Voltage Control: Why a Design Sprint is Always Worth the Time & Money
Netguru S.A.: 5 Benefits of Product Design Sprint to Your Business