How do you know if your company or you are ready to sprint?

Sign#1: You’re onboarding a new product/service:

If you or your company is getting ready to launch a new product or service. It may be a crucial time to conduct a sprint. As much as some co-workers may moan about having to clear a week from their calendar (while others jump at the chance to clear their calendar), it may save you or your company hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars and avoid a failure of a launch.

Sign #2: You’re stuck with a problem and can’t come up with a solution:

One of the key aspects of the Design Sprint is Ideation. It’s so crucial that it has its own day dedicated to it in the five-day process. Ideation allows everyone to get creative and utilize their problem-solving skills. Due to each role involved in the sprint, you may have someone who is more analytical come up with the perfect solution, while someone more creative can think of a concept but not be able to fully execute it. One of the key things that makes a Design Sprint worthwhile is the opportunity to come up with dozens of solutions and not be limited by a narrow scope. 

Sign #3: You’re ready to innovate: 

Innovation is one of the best reasons to utilize the design sprint format. Not only does the Design Sprint save you money when launching either a first-time product or an upgrade to an already loved product/service, but it can also save your company precious time. No more waiting weeks for your boss to give the go-ahead on an email or waiting for your co-worker to get a call back from IT. After the week is up, you’ll be able to walk away with a fully developed and tested prototype. While you may have to adjust and change certain aspects after the sprint is done, and you have feedback from a target public, you’ll be able to speed right up the finish line and be ready to launch. 

What do you need to Sprint?

Once you decide you’re ready to sprint, the next step is to gather the materials.

“Designing the ideal workspace for running a sprint involves a careful balance of functionality, creativity, and collaboration.” (Hastings, pg.22)

Whether it’s in person or a remote sprint, make sure you come with the following materials:

• A whiteboard (physical or Miro will do)
• Sticky Notes (Miro has these too!)
• Markers/pens
• A timer for thinking sessions
• Snacks and Beverages (for Brain Power)
• An open, inviting layout and furniture (to make everyone feel physically included in the Sprint)
• A speaker (Music may help get the creative juices flowing)
• Tech Set-up (proper software for design and engineering the prototype and collaboration software, i.e, Miro, Google Suite, Microsoft Suite) 

Once you have gathered all these materials and reflected on whether you require a Design Sprint, you’re ready to gather your team members and assign roles…which we’ll be discussing next!

Sources:

Hastings, Pattie Belle. The Sprint Handbook. Mindful Marks, 2024. 

Pollock, Xander. “How Do I Know If It’s the Right Time to Run a Design Sprint?” The Sprint Book, www.thesprintbook.com/articles/how-do-i-know-if-its-the-right-time-to-run-a-design-sprint. Accessed 30 May 2025.