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A design sprint is a method that speeds up the design process, whilst helping you test and validate your big idea, both quickly and effectively.

You start with an idea or challenge, and you end with a high-fidelity prototype, tested and validated with real users. The design sprint process is split into 2 stages: 'ideate and design' and 'expand and improve'.

Here’s how it works…

Frame the problem

We start by framing the problem to define and scope the challenges. This is a workshop format involving all stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the company and their challenges, goals for the product and what they want it to achieve. Here we also address any critical business questions and assumptions that have already been made.

How Might We (HMW)

Expert talks then allow the Pace team to understand the project, product and business goals, framing challenges as How Might We (HMW) statements and questions to be solved throughout the process.

Sketch solutions

From this we are able to sketch out a series of tangible solutions using the points of discussions and HMW statements. These sketches and ideas are presented back to the stakeholders for review. Ideas and solutions are discussed to see if there are any parts that are particularly liked and any that aren’t necessary. We use the dot exercise to select the most viable and suitable solution, and to prioritise solutions and features for the prototype.

Prototype

Once a decision has been made, the initial sketches are transformed into a high-fidelity working prototype within 2 days. This allows an idea to be brought to life, allowing stakeholders to click through the main features so that they have an idea of how it could work.

Expand and iterate

Week 2 brings about the expansion and iterations of the prototype. We take the prototype from week 1 and build on it, adding new pieces of UI and extended clickable links which take stakeholders to more places throughout the design of the product.

The iteration process allows us to ensure we are meeting project objectives and we can take any feedback to further improve and enhance the prototype. This may include 1:1 user testing with real users to offer validation.

Complete

Once the prototype is complete, it can be shown to investors and stakeholders to get the backing you need to get the product to market.