Running design sprints for the (occasionally) chaotic and disorganized designer
Drue Thomas
Aug 31, 2022
OK TO RECORD?
Hi, I’m Drue!
she/her/hers
I’m A HOT MESS!
When it comes to design sprints, I’m scared of lots of things.
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Let’s get vulnerable…
Q: What scares you about design sprints?
Fear can be limiting.
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Fear can be valuable.
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TOP 5 TIPS
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Demystify the process
TIP #1
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Know that design sprint is just a tool
The structure of a design sprint is overwhelming.
FEAR:
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Pop Quiz!
Q: What is a design sprint?
A framework!
A tool!
A process!
Break it down to its most basic parts.
TACTIC:
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DESIGN SPRINT FRAMEWORK
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DESIGN SPRINT FRAMEWORK
DAY 1
Define
Sketch
DAY 2
Decide
Prototype
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DESIGN SPRINT FRAMEWORK
DAY 1
Define
Sketch
Decide
DAY 2
Prototype
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I don’t know if others will see the value.
FEAR:
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Erika Hall, Mule Design Studio
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Like snake oil, “design sprints can appeal to people who are looking for an exciting panacea…[but] not all design problems are product design problems.
Often we use research questions as a way to establish a framework for decision-making or design as a means to reorient complex organizations, one conversation at a time. Some projects require weeks or months because the challenge isn’t generating ideas or artifacts quickly, but turning insights into lasting habits and sustainable processes”
Find your allies and turn them into evangelists.
TACTIC:
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Set objectives early on so your goals and approach are clear.
TACTIC:
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EX.
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Examples of “Definition” Exercises
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EXPERT INTERVIEWS
CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY
EMPATHY MAPPING
BRAIN DUMP
FOCUS GROUP
STAKEHOLDER Q+A
JOURNEY MAPPING
ASYNC DESIGN BRIEF
People get distracted by the word “Design”—try calling it something else.
TIP:
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Know thyself
TIP #2
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Identify (and counter) your fears and shortcomings
FEAR
TACTIC
“I don’t feel confident in my plan”
Solicit feedback from other designers
“I worry my team won’t be engaged”
Utilize ice breakers
“I tend to ramble/I’m not a strong speaker”
Incorporate “independent reading”
“I will totally forget a bunch of stuff”
Create a place to store all the “things”
“I won’t contribute if I facilitate”
Find a facilitation buddy
“I am really bad at keeping time”
Get a physical timer
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FEAR
TACTIC
“I get flustered/distracted when people ask too many questions”
Delegate answering admin questions
“I get overwhelmed by being around people all day”
Lean into remote first.
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Lean into strategic vulnerability—share your fears as a way to get the help that you need.
TIP:
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Make the Sprint work for you
TIP #3
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Blow it up if you need to—you make the rules!
People will think its a waste of time.
FEAR:
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TACTIC | Don’t do things you don’t need to do
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TACTIC | Maximize value by addressing other team goals
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Make your agenda your share out deck.
TIP:
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Stack the deck in your favor
TIP #4
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Give yourself every advantage
I’m worried about solution oriented stakeholders.
FEAR:
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DESIGN PLANTS!
TACTIC:
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I don’t think we have time to get the research we need.
FEAR:
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Ahead of your sprint schedule in some exploratory research.
TACTIC:
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Folks are distracted by the wrong problem.
FEAR:
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If you can, let the users’ speak for themselves.
TACTIC:
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At the end of session/day, surface a few top takeaways so people can jump in and out as they need to.
TIP:
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Think of “future you”
TIP #5
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Work ahead to avoid overwhelm later.
I want to participate in the sprint but capturing and synthesizing is already so much work.
FEAR:
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I don’t want to be in charge of doing everything
FEAR:
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Delegate “design tasks”, documentation and synthesis.
TACTIC:
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Delegate writing the research plan. It’s one of the easiest things to get people involved!
TIP:
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Thank you! Any questions?
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Appendix
All the docs!
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Appendix (1/3)
Context
Guides
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Appendix (2/3)
Output
Part 1
Part 2
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Appendix (3/3)
Share Out
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