Design Sprints: benefits and tricks behind iteration
Tips to maximise results within a cycle of Design Sprints.
Anyone who ever took part in a Design Sprint knows the critical importance of framing a good, strong challenge question to tackle. Not too complex, not too simple, just the right balance. Some business challenges might although be more ambitious to face than others. Some might be successfully addressed in a single Design Sprint and directly transition to a first release, while in case of more complex and multifaceted ones, the iteration of several Design Sprints can bring huge benefits to the quality and value of the end product.
That’s why at MOBGEN we sometimes embrace cycles of several Design Sprints in a row with the same client, using the Design Sprint methodology in customised timeframes and frequency, based on our clients’ goals. Since I worked on planning and facilitating several Design Sprints at MOBGEN, including two cycles of five last year, I aim to share the benefits of iteration I experienced and the tricks to consider from a facilitator perspective, to make such iteration successful.
For the ones not familiar with the Design Sprint methodology, I suggest this article written by my colleague Yoav Farbey, presenting a complete recap.
The benefits of iteration with Design Sprints
Simplification: Tackling a complex challenge in several Design Sprints allows to break it down into smaller sub-challenges easier to address and building onto the same picture. In case of a long-term business vision for example, scaling down the focus to more tangible elements and tackling them in separate sessions, can help very much in getting such high-level vision, more concrete. The process gets simplified and this approach accelerates the identification of key themes and drivers behind the challenge in question, becoming then easier to prioritise actions and reach the expected result.
Refinement: both the scope and the prototype can be refined and tweaked several times based on the learnings coming from the user testing sessions at the end of each Sprint. The precious possibility to re-shuffle and adjust elements on the go, allows to achieve a more sophisticated and valuable prototype, validated by real users and refined multiple times based on their feedback. This gradual, iteration-based process leads towards a smoother and sharper transition to a first beta version.
Exploration: while unfolding a Design Sprint, prioritisation and selection are key aspects of the methodology, meaning constant decision making crossroads for the Decider. Not everything can be equally developed in one single Design Sprint. This can be a huge plus in case of a narrow and specific challenge since it forces the team to focus on the key factors, leaving out the rest. Although, in case of more complex and broader challenges, one Design Sprint might not be enough and promising options might end up being discarded. In this case, the possibility to iterate and pick up those valuable ideas in additional Sprints allows to take on board more elements to complete the puzzle with just the right and best sequence.
Skills transfer: while embracing a cycle of several Design Sprints, participants from client side get the chance to apply the methodology multiple times, acquiring familiarity, speed and awareness within the process. One single Design Sprint can provide a clear overview of the range of tools and methods applied to achieve certain goals, although practise is necessary to fully appropriate of those. Iteration can therefore result in an actual transfer of skills, where clients can then apply such acquired expertise to facilitate internal processes.
Last summer for example, I had the pleasure to work with a client eager to learn also the facilitation side of the process. This resulted in a fourth Design Sprint where client took over the daily energisers. During those moments, they were leading the activity they picked and prepared, while I was taking part as a participant, learning very nice ice-breakers to add to my list.
Tricks to make iteration successful
Engagement: the first Design Sprint is always a very intense and dynamic experience, often completely new to clients so everything is embraced with fresh eyes. If on one side iteration brings ease and speed within the process, it also means a decrease in this feeling of novelty and surprise. It becomes then critical to keep a good energy level within the team to avoid people going on automated mode. In my experience as facilitator, I noticed how by introducing in the planning a couple of new, fun energisers per day, enthusiasm and positivity within the team were easily triggered. Don’t be scared to have a laugh with your client!
Variety: connected to the point above, as a facilitator it is also very important to pick different tools to bring in the right dose of dynamism and variety to the daily agenda. Even though there are few core milestones to keep within the Design Sprint planning, when possible I suggest to avoid repetition and introduce new activities for the team to face. There are many ways to achieve the same goal and everyone likes surprises.
Flexibility: after several Design Sprints the team might feel the need to focus more on the prototype iteration rather than scoping or ideation. At MOBGEN we always try to adapt our tools and processes to achieve the best result, and flexibility in planning and facilitation are part of this mindset. That’s why sometimes we run “Special Design Sprints”, tweaked to better meet our clients’ needs. Break the rules when it makes sense to!
Conclusion
The Design Sprint methodology is an effective innovation driven tool that MOBGEN applies with versatility and critical approach. In case of complex and ambitious challenges to tackle, iteration of several Design Sprints in a row, rather than a single one, can mean developing a stronger and more refined product. To implement iteration successfully though, some factors must be considered to maximise its benefits and avoid hurdles. MOBGEN does that by taking advantage of the methodology and making it its own. Depending on clients’ needs and goals, bespoke tools, agendas and formats can be developed to reach the best result. Each project has a soul, be flexible and make this methodology a bit yours.
*
Thanks for reading! 💛 If you have feedback to share, feel free to say hello 👋
