Design Sprint
A five-day intensive framework developed at Google Ventures by Jake Knapp. Each day has a specific focus: Map (understand the problem), Sketch (generate individual solutions), Decide (select the best approach), Prototype (build a realistic-looking prototype), and Test (validate with five real users). It compresses months of iterative work into one week, producing a tested prototype and real user data before a single line of code is written.
How to run it
- 1
Day 1 — Map: Agree on a long-term goal, map the challenge, and pick a target. Interview experts.
- 2
Day 2 — Sketch: Review inspiration, individual brainstorming, Crazy 8s, solution sketching.
- 3
Day 3 — Decide: Sticky decision (silent dot voting), speed critique, storyboard for the prototype.
- 4
Day 4 — Prototype: Build a realistic but fake prototype in one day. Divide roles: Makers, Stitcher, Writer, Asset Collector, Interviewer.
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Day 5 — Test: Five 1:1 user interviews. Team watches via video link. Debrief patterns across interviews.
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Capture learnings and decide on next steps.
Tips
No devices in the room during the sprint (except for designated research).
The Decider (product/business owner) must be present the entire time — decisions cannot be delegated.
Five users is the minimum for reliable pattern recognition.',
Variations
Run a 3-day or 4-day sprint by compressing phases. Use a 'sprint light' for smaller questions that don't require a full week. Remote sprints work with the right digital tooling (Miro, Figma).
Where it fits
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