Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

by Jake Knapp

SET THE STAGE • Choose a big challenge. Use sprints when the stakes are high, when there’s not enough time, or when you’re just plain stuck. (p. 26) • Get a Decider (or two). Without a Decider, decisions won’t stick. If your Decider can’t join the entire sprint, have her appoint a delegate who can. (p. 31) • Recruit a sprint team. Seven people or fewer. Get diverse skills along with the people who work on the project day-to-day. (p. 34) • Schedule extra experts. Not every expert can be in the sprint all week. For Monday afternoon, schedule fifteen- to twenty-minute interviews with extra experts. Plan for two to three hours total. (p. 36) • Pick a Facilitator. She will manage time, conversations, and the overall sprint process. Look for someone who’s confident leading a meeting and synthesizing discussions on the fly. It might be you! (p. 36) • Block five full days on the calendar. Reserve time with your sprint team from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. (p. 40) • Book a room with two whiteboards. Reserve a sprint room for the entire week. If it doesn’t have two whiteboards in it already, buy some or improvise. Book a second room for Friday’s interviews. (p. 44) Key Ideas • No distractions. No laptops, phones, or iPads allowed. If you need your device, leave the room or wait for a break. (p. 41) • Timebox. A tight schedule builds confidence in the sprint process. Use a Time Timer to create focus and urgency. (p. 47) • Plan for a late lu...