Katie Coen

No matter what task you are trying to complete, timeliness is always key. It allows you to get every aspect of a project or task done in a certain amount of time, but it’s a hard skill to learn. Distractions and habits seem to sneak in at every step of the way, making the task that much more difficult to complete.

Whatever I’m doing, I notice myself beginning to let my mind wander, letting the distractions of the world drift in. The same thing happens with technology, which is  known as one of the most popular interruptions.

One site lists phone calls as the number one distraction, followed by unscheduled questions and discussions, and social chat.

These are all reasons why design sprints have a strict timeline to allow better ideas to flow. This schedule has timeliness built into its core, showing how extremely important it is in order to get all the steps completed. As John Knapp explains in “Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days,” sprints don’t allow technologies, including phones, laptops, or tablets, in the room to ensure everyone remains on task. 

“In a sprint, time is precious, and we can’t afford distractions in the room.”

John Knapp, Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

Another thing that keeps sprinters working effectively is preparation. This preparation can make or break the design sprint process, as it allows the time spent during the day to be used for brainstorming and collaborative decision making.

“Preparing for your Design Sprint is as important as the running of the Sprint itself.”

Design Sprints

Sprinters get ready by collecting a team for a sprint, who then collect their supplies, like sticky notes, pens, and paper. An effective space with white boards or online platforms must be found to ensure a smooth process that encourages creativity. 

When preparation is complete and the sprint finally begins, many time saving measures are taken as well. Especially in the “Heat Map” style voting in Phase 2. In this step, everyone silently looks around the room at the ideas and drawings completed and votes based on their own thoughts. And it’s all because speaking wastes time. 

“Talking outloud is risky. Humans are social animals, and when our natural impulses to discuss and debate takeover, time disappears. We don’t want to tax anyone’s short-term memory, or waste precious sprint time.”

John Knapp, Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

Then later on in Phase 2 in the “Speed Critique,” where the group discusses the completed sketches and notes their likes and dislikes, the sketcher does not get to talk about their idea at the start. The Facilitator is the one who explains each sketch, keeping it fair and brief. 

“The proud inventor of the solution in the spotlight doesn’t get to speak up until the end of the critique. This unusual practice saves time, removes redundancy, and allows for the most honest discussion.”

John Knapp, Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

Working on my own design sprint with a group has shown me how important these aspects of preparation and timeliness are. Without them, the sprint could never be completed in five days or whatever timeline is being used. This sense of sticking to the plan is what allows sprints to be successful, taking products to the next level.