Design Sprints
Go from idea to tested prototype in one week. No time for politics.
What is it?
Design sprints are a 5-day structured process created by Google Ventures that compresses months of work into a single week. Teams map the problem, sketch solutions, decide on a direction, build a realistic prototype, and test it with real users.
When to use it
Run a design sprint at the start of a new project, when facing a critical business question, or when a team is stuck and needs momentum.
How to do it
Monday: Map the challenge. Define the goal and pick a focus area.
Tuesday: Sketch solutions individually. Quantity beats quality at this stage.
Wednesday: Decide which solution to prototype. Vote, don't debate.
Thursday: Build a realistic prototype. Fake it till you test it.
Friday: Test with 5 real users and collect feedback.
Pro tips
A decider must be in the room. Someone who can make the call.
The prototype doesn't need to be real. It just needs to look real enough to get honest reactions.