Remote Design Sprint Template

About the Remote Design Sprint Template

A design sprint is an intensive process of designing, iterating, and testing a prototype over a 4 or 5 day period. Design sprints are conducted to break out of stale work processes, find a fresh perspective, identify problems in a unique way, and rapidly develop solutions.

3 challenges of running a design sprint remotely

Design sprints are challenging enough, but running one remotely brings its own unique difficulties. 

Communication

Getting everyone on the same page and communicating is critical to a successful design sprint, but it’s tougher when you don’t have everyone in the same room. That’s why every team member needs to make an effort to speak up when you have a problem or something to contribute. 

Tools

To run a remote sprint, you need the right tools. Everyone will need the right video conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom or Google Hangouts), and team messaging apps like Slack are helpful tool. A virtual collaboration space like Miro is a great way to brainstorm, share ideas, and iterate designs.

Engagement

It’s easier to get lost in the shuffle when a design sprint is done over video conference rather than in-person. That’s why it’s important to nominate a sprint leader who will call on everyone and bring different opinions into the fold. 

How to run a design sprint with a remote team in 4 steps

The template for this remote design sprint takes place across four or 5 days, with four phases: 

1) Map and sketch 

The first phase involves bringing the team together and brainstorming. You’ll first want to work on identifying problems with your current product or service, and then think of potential ways to solve this problem by mapping out different potential solutions.

2) Decide and storyboard 

With various ideas laid out, it’s time for your team to decide on a plan of action. Then, draw up a storyboard with your plan of how you’re going to design and iterate the plan. Make sure to include any relevant resources or materials that will be necessary to carry out the plan. 

3) Prototyping 

Now that your plan is prepared, you need to build the prototype. The idea isn’t to build a full-fledged product that would be released to the public, but an MVP, or “Minimum Viable Product.” You want the product to function in a way that solves the specific problem that your team laid out in the first brainstorming session.

4) Test and learn

Finally, you demo your prototype with other teams and with users to see how they react. Collect data on how they use or respond to the prototype, so you can figure out how to improve it the next time.

Why should you run a design sprint?

Running a design sprint can help teams move faster, overcoming roadblocks and aligning more quickly. They're good for generating multiple ideas from a diverse group to solve a complex problem – resulting in more innovative solutions than if everyone had operated independently.

Getting early feedback from users can help you identify potential flaws earlier, and in a more cost-efficient manner. After a sprint, you should have a workable prototype that you can use to start developing your product.

Although they're commonly used in product development, design sprints are flexible and can be adapted to multiple projects and focus areas, from marketing to HR.