Run a design sprint

Solve problems, test ideas and reduce risk by running a design sprint.

Ask us to show you how

What's a design sprint?

A design sprint is a 5-day process where a small team solves a big problem. By designing, prototyping and testing a solution with users.

It’s based on a process by Google Ventures. And made up of 5 stages, each done on a different day.
  1. Understand the problem and users
  2. Sketch possible solutions
  3. Decide on solution
  4. Build prototype
  5. Test with users

Benefits

What's good about them

Design sprints let you:

  • compress months of work into 5 days
  • learn your solution solves a real problem without development costs
  • bring together a mix of people and use their skills

When should you do one

Run a design sprint when:

  • you think there’s a problem with an existing app, website or service
  • have a new idea but don't know what the solution is
  • don't have time to run a full discovery phase but want to make sure your problem meets a real need
  • need evidence to get buy-in for a new project or research
  • your current way of working isn’t going anywhere fast

Tips

Before

You need to:

  • work out your problem to solve. The bigger the better
  • build your team. It should have a facilitator, decision maker, voice of user and designer
  • block out time in people's diaries and find a room. Do it somewhere you have access to users and staff
  • do research. To understand your users, problem and save time in the sprint. This can be done in a few days

During

You need to show a version of a product or service to users that lets you learn as much as possible in the time available.

This might be:

  • a prototype
  • presentation or landing page about your product or service
  • competitor’s website/ app that solve a similar problem
  • acting out a service or building a space

After

You can:

  • iterate on your prototype and test again
  • run a new sprint on a different idea or problem
  • do research to make sure there’s a real need

How we use design sprints

To make it easier for staff to contact users

An app that lets caseworkers text service users from their desktop.

To give destitute people money in a way that best suits them

A pre-paid card that lets users receive money remotely with text notifications.