The design sprint was invented at Google. these folks love technology. So why create ‘Solution Sketches’ on paper?
One reason is for team strategic alignment, and the other is to ensure simplicity in solutions.
Strategic Alignment and Decision-Making Process
The whole idea behind ‘Solution Sketches’ is to sketch various solution concepts and compare them one by one. To do this, they need to be created with the same rules and constraints. After all, how can you compare a strategy expressed in the form of a Word A4 document or a PowerPoint deck?
Sketching levels the playing field and focuses on substance over form. The goal is to identify the most promising concepts and discuss them in detail.
Simplicity in Solution Boards
During a design sprint, a participant once insisted, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do it by hand. Can’t I do it in PowerPoint?’ We accepted, and the result was 20 PowerPoint slides. Not only was the way the idea was expressed far too complex, but it was also impossible to compare this vision with others because of the different materiality.
One of the outcomes of sketching on paper is that it encourages participants to focus on the essence of the idea and move away from the form. The finished format of a sheet of paper also ensures welcomed conciseness. Presenting these new concepts in a clear way for comparison is one of the keys to a successful design sprint.
