A design sprint is a time-bound process, with five phases typically spread over five full 8-hour days.

The ultimate goal of a design sprint is to solve a critical design challenge through designing, prototyping, and testing ideas with users.

The five phases of a design sprint:

1. Understand- Sets the sprint on track by helping the team get a clear picture of the design challenge they will be addressing.

2. Ideate- Coming up with ideas and building off them to create solutions.

3. Decide- Settling on the solution you want to build. This solution should be the one with the greatest chance of success among all other ones.

4. Prototype- This is the first version of the product. It does not need to be a real product, just something realistic enough to be tested by the users.

5. Test- Involves putting the prototype in front of users, observing how they react and then interviewing them.

The following are benefits associated with design sprints:

1. Save time in that they give the team time to focus.

2. Create a path to bring the product to market.

3. The product is tested before launch.

4. The users and their needs are prioritized.

5. Every person in the room is valued and their opinions are considered.

6. Lowers risk of product debut due to testing from real users.

7. Versatile scheduling.

When do we sprint? At first, it might be a bit confusing to decide when exactly to sprint, but don’t worry! Let me give you some insight on when to sprint.

A design sprint is done when the following scenarios are encountered:

1. There are many potential solutions to your design challenge.

2. The design challenge requires people from cross-functional teams to weigh in.

3. The scope of the design challenge is wide enough for a sprint.

Planning a design sprint involves several things:

1. User research- The aim is to get a rough idea of what your sprint will focus on and helps in deciding on which research method makes the most sense.

2. Calling in the experts- Schedule small talks with some colleagues or industry experts to further inform them of the perspective and scope of the design sprint. This occurs in the first phase of the design sprint, which is the understand phase.

3. Finding the right space/venue- A venue that should allow equal opportunities for everyone attending the design sprint to perform their tasks. Items to be put into consideration include acoustics; in order to hear the facilitators properly, comfortable furniture, accommodation and whiteboards, just to mention a few.

4. Gathering supplies- Ensure everyone has everything that they may need to participate at their disposal like water, markers, sticky notes and of course some snacks.

5. Establishing the sprint rules- Ground rules need to be established in advance to set the tone for the design sprint, get everyone on the same page right from the onset and help the team to stay focused.

6. Planning introductions- A design sprint mostly involves cross-functional teams that may have never met before. It is advised that icebreakers that are relevant to the team can be used so that the team members can get to know each other.

7. Post-sprint planning- This happens after the design sprint wraps up. It involves using what was learned during the design sprint to achieve other goals. Documentation of the entire design sprint is also accounted for here.

Design sprint brief- A sprint brief is a document that is to be shared with all the attendees of the design sprint to help them to prepare for the sprint.

These are the contents of a design brief:

1. The design challenge being addressed.

2. Key deliverables of the design sprint.

3. Logistics- When, where, attendees, the leader.

4. Approvers.

5. Resources.

6. Project overview.

7. The sprint schedule.

You are probably an entry-level designer reading this article and wondering where you fit in in this whole design sprint phenomenon. Not to worry, because here are your roles in a sprint as an entry-level designer in each phase of the design sprint:

1. Understand- Since the experts in the different teams will be speaking, you will be actively listening and taking note of what is being said.

2. Ideate- Come up with ideas and put them out there. Remember one of the benefits of a design sprint is that every opinion matters and is considered, so don’t be shy!

3. Decide- Get involved in the decision-making process and participate in voting for the one you think is best and has the most potential.

4. Prototype- Be actively involved in creating a prototype that users will be trying out. Ask questions, offer your ideas and also review the completed prototype.

5. Test- Collect feedback from the users by methods like observation or interviewing the users. This feedback will be key in informing the team on what to revise before bringing the product to market.

Design sprint retrospective.

A [retrospective](miro.com/miroverse/design-sprint-retrogram/.. is a collaborative critique of the team’s design sprint and is conducted immediately after the design sprint is concluded. The goal of the sprint is to make sure everyone who took part in the sprint has a chance to give their genuine feedback. The key questions asked during the retrospective are:

1. What went well?

2. What can be improved?

The retrospective marks the end of the design sprint.