(Summary:

Don’t fall for these common design sprints myths about setting expectations, collaboration and research associated with the project.)

Fortune cookies are Chinese….

The Buddha was fat….

The Great Wall of China is visible from the space….

And two baby earthworms are born when earthworms are cut in half (yuck…)

Well, I am talking about some popular misconceptions that are still believed to be true. Myths are generally built around common or popular things. Even some of the myths are prevailing in our world of web design and development. And design sprints are not an exception. They are also surrounded by several myths.

For a quick refresher, a design sprint is five-step processes for validating ideas through design, prototyping, and testing. It is a problem-solving framework to get solutions quickly and effectively.

For example, some people think that a design sprint requires no research at all. Some assume that the final product can be made with the 5-days sprint. It is also believed that a design sprint should be conducted every week.

Such myths have come into existence due to wrong practices, unrealistic expectations, untrained people and some so-called experts.

Believing such misconceptions will hinder your productivity as well as sabotage your project.

Here I have rounded up some common design sprints myths you shouldn’t believe anymore.

1) Design Sprints Require No Research:

Do you think so? You need to think again.

It is a common myth that there is no need for research in a design sprint as you can generate solutions quickly. The key aim of every design sprint is finding out the solution by involving experts and participants from the client-side. When planning a new project, it’s best to already have research about what concerns are worth solving. Fundamental research is vital for organizations to explore opportunities that can then be validated with the sprint. Therefore, don’t skip the research.

However, long and upfront design research phases are not a part of the sprint.

2) Design sprints are meant for Designers Only:

Contrary to this common misconception, design sprints help non-designers understand the process. This way, it helps build trust, a sense of ownership and focus among the members on board.

For example, design sprints also include prototype that can clarify the function of the project to the non-technical users. They can put forward their views on the project. Besides, developers can be involved in the process to know their take on the process. They can immediately verify if such creative ideas are possible to be executed. You can use project design collaboration tools collaboration tools to share design sprints with your remotely located stakeholders.

3) The Process is over after the Last Designated Phase:

A design sprint is not a silver bullet. The sprint can help you test, prototype, assess and review the project even before the actual development cycle begins. But the process is simply not over with the last formal step of the sprint. You should know what to do next.

Here I would like to quote Jay Melone, a Product Strategy Expert at New Hair Cut.

“When you exit the 5-day design sprint, you’re hoping to have validation of your sprint challenge to feel confident moving into product development.”

The point is here to implement all of the insights collected during the sprint into the actual execution during product development.

4) Design Sprint Should Be Run Every Week:

Well, this is not necessary. Design sprints are time-consuming and require your full attention. It would be better if you run two springs back to back per quarter, but your mileage might vary based on your plan to use sprints as well as the efficiency of your team. Remember, design sprints are all about alignment, solution, and goals. They should give you enough insights so that you can confidently decide which features of a product are most important.

5) Design Sprints Builds Product Faster:

While design sprints can help you accelerate project considerably, they are not about creating a finished product within a week. Therefore, there is no use of entering a design sprint with this expectation. It may take you multiple iterations to build your final product. Design sprint only helps you validate ideas through design, testing, and prototyping. It is a problem-solving framework to get solutions quickly and effectively.

6) Design Sprints is Ideal for Small Teams Only:

That’s just a baseless myth. Google has invented the process. And there is no need to tell how big Google is. Some of the largest companies around the globe, from IBM, Home Depot to AARP have integrated design sprints into their processes to get the solution and reduce product development cycles. A design sprint can be used, irrespective the size of your organization.

Bottom Line:

So these are some misconceptions about design sprints you shouldn’t believe anymore. It is important to understand the objective of design sprints to make the most of this process. Practicing wrong things or believing myths just stop you from achieving the best with the sprint. Therefore, eliminate the misconceptions from the practice to see the difference. A design sprint is all about trying things to see if they work instead of racking your efforts to make the one.

What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.

Author Bio:

I am, Helen Wilson, a marketing manager at Savah, a product that helps teams with an all-in-one platform for prototyping, design collaboration tools, and workflow.