Introduction

What Is a Design Sprint?

The Design Sprint is a method for solving complex problems in 4 to 5 days, based on:

Team collaboration
Rapid prototyping
User testing

Created by Google Ventures (Jake Knapp, John Zaretsky, Braden Kowitz), it’s described in the book:
Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days (2016)

Design Sprint vs Design Thinking

Design Thinking is a broad user-centered approach.
Design Sprint is a fast, structured method to apply it.
It follows a linear process, with no iteration loops (unlike Design Thinking).

Design Sprint 1.0 – 5-Day Process

Understand – Define and explore the problem
Sketch – Generate possible solutions
Decide – Choose the best idea
Prototype – Build a testable prototype
Test – Collect feedback from real users

Sprint 2.0 – Optimized (4 Days)

Shorter duration, full team involved for only 2 days
Day 1 Morning: problem framing
Day 1 Afternoon: solution sketching

Ideal Team (4 to 7 people)

Decider – Makes final calls
Facilitator (Sprint Master) – Guides the process neutrally
Designer(s) – Create the prototype
Marketing Expert – Ensures strategic alignment
Tech Expert – Validates feasibility
Customer Support – Brings user insights
Finance Expert – Estimates cost and ROI

Sprint Preparation

Clear problem + project brief
Team calendars cleared
No connected devices (unless remote sprint)
Prior user research
Proper room + materials: post-its, markers, paper, etc.

Key Principles

Collective intelligence over individual genius
All ideas are welcome
Everyone contributes equally
Fast delivery of a testable prototype
Ideas must be visualized, not just discussed

Key Takeaways

The Design Sprint is collaborative, fast, and structured
Requires a motivated, well-prepared team
Not suitable for overly vague or trivial problems