DESIGN SPRINT 2.0 MONDAY - ASK THE EXPERTS

Summary

In this video, Brittany from AJ&Smart walks viewers through the expert interview process in a Design Sprint. This crucial first step ensures the sprint team is aligned on the product’s purpose and challenges. Brittany explains how to guide the conversation with key questions, engage the team through 'How Might We' note-taking, and organize insights on a wall to uncover the most important challenges. The session ends with a voting exercise, where the team prioritizes which issues to focus on. This method helps set a clear direction for the rest of the sprint and ensures effective problem-solving.

Takeaways

• 😀 The expert interview is the first step in the design sprint process, crucial for aligning the team and gathering valuable insights.
• 😀 The expert interview typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the team size and the depth of discussion needed.
• 😀 The decider, usually the product owner or CEO, plays a critical role in the sprint by making final decisions.
• 😀 The expert interviews help set the stage for the sprint by ensuring the whole team is aligned on the product and its goals.
• 😀 Key questions to ask in the expert interview include: What is the product, what problem does it solve, and who is the target user?
• 😀 Asking about the ideal product in two years helps the team envision the bigger picture and long-term goals.
• 😀 'How Might We' is an effective note-taking method during expert interviews, encouraging team members to frame challenges as opportunities.
• 😀 Engaging all team members during the expert interview is essential to avoid passive participation and encourage active listening.
• 😀 After the interview, team members post their 'How Might We' notes on a wall to visually organize and reflect on key takeaways.
• 😀 Categorizing the 'How Might We' notes helps highlight the main challenges and areas of focus, but is more about engagement than strict organization.
• 😀 Voting on the 'How Might We' questions with red dots helps prioritize which challenges to focus on for the sprint, with the decider having extra voting power.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the expert interview in a design sprint?

The expert interview serves as the first step in a design sprint to align the team on the product, its challenges, and its objectives. It helps gather insights and ensure everyone is on the same page for the upcoming sprint activities.

How long should an expert interview typically last during a design sprint?

Expert interviews typically last 20 minutes, but they can be extended up to 30 minutes depending on the team size and the depth of the discussion.

What is the role of the decider in the expert interview process?

The decider, often the product owner or CEO, is the person responsible for making final decisions during the sprint. They play a key role in the expert interview by helping guide the discussion and ensuring that the most important aspects of the product are addressed.

What is the significance of asking the team to describe their product during the expert interview?

Asking the team to describe their product ensures that everyone has a clear and unified understanding of what the product is, what it does, and who it is for. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures the sprint moves forward with a shared vision.

Why is it important to ask about the problem the product is trying to solve in the expert interview?

Understanding the problem the product solves helps clarify the product's purpose and ensures the team is aligned on the core challenge. It also reveals different perspectives within the team, which is critical for identifying potential areas for improvement.

What is the 'How Might We' note-taking method, and why is it used?

The 'How Might We' method involves framing insights or challenges as opportunities by phrasing them as questions that begin with 'How might we'. This approach encourages a solution-focused mindset and helps the team generate more creative and actionable ideas.

How are notes taken during expert interviews, and what is the purpose of this note-taking?

During expert interviews, participants write down notes in the form of 'How Might We' questions. This encourages active listening and keeps everyone engaged. The notes help identify challenges and opportunities that will shape the sprint's direction.

What happens after the expert interview ends and all 'How Might We' notes are collected?

Once the expert interview ends, participants place their 'How Might We' notes on a wall or board. The team then categorizes these notes into themes and votes on the most important ones to focus on for the sprint.

What is the voting process for prioritizing the 'How Might We' questions, and why is it important?

The voting process allows the team to prioritize the most critical challenges. Each participant gets two red dots to vote, and the decider gets four. This process helps identify the top issues that the team will tackle during the sprint.

Why are the expert interviews limited to 20 minutes, and what happens if more time is needed?

The 20-minute time limit ensures that the team stays focused and doesn't spend too much time discussing irrelevant topics. If more time is needed, the session can be extended by 10 minutes, but it should not exceed 30 minutes to maintain efficiency and focus.