By Tim Leberecht
Can you run fast and go deep at the same time?
Originating in agile software development, the so-called sprint has entered the business mainstream as an increasingly popular means to accelerate business-model, product or service innovation. Sprints break an otherwise long, complex process into small, achievable chunks that can be accomplished at greater speed. They allow a company to be more agile and more effectively adapt to digital disruption.
Now organizations are applying sprints to a traditionally slow function: strategy.
In a dynamic marketplace, the value of traditional strategy is diminishing. Sure, the value of in-depth discovery, comprehensive research, stakeholder interviews, scenario planning and alignment are undisputed. But companies have less and less time for them. And how often have you crafted a meticulous three-year strategic plan only to have it become obsolete after a few months, or even weeks?
As strategy is becoming more fluid—more like software that needs constant upgrading—two alternative concepts are emerging: vision and improvisation. Vision incorporates the long-term, if not permanent, purpose and principles of an organization. Improvisation suggests a fundamental openness and flexibility at the tactical level—the willingness to explore, experiment and iterate. When you incorporate both into strategy creation, it becomes a transformative event, rather than a long-winded process.
Here are the critical design principles of a vision sprint:
- Introduce constraints, such as an unlikely mix of people, a remote location, a “mission-impossible” assignment, a crisis, a short time frame—or some combination of these.
- Emphasize the ritualistic nature of the experience. Define rules, a clear beginning and a deadline for decision-making.
- Create a safe space that gives all Participants permission to be authentic, vulnerable and creative.
- Capture every single word that is spoken. Paraphrase, synthesize and frame in real time. Tell the story as it unfolds through words, drawings, audio, photos or film.
Tim Leberecht is an innovation consultant and the author of The Business Romantic: Give Everything, Quantify Nothing and Create Something Greater Than Yourself.