UWC in-person Design Sprint Workshop

 In-person Design Sprint Workshop:

dated: 17 May 2024

The in-person workshop took place on 17 May 2024 at SARATEC, Bellville. The participants of UWC and CPUT merged for the day, and the workshop was led by Lukhona and Ashleigh, the UWC student researchers. Prof Sue and Dr Xena took a step back for the day and took on the roles of observers and even participants. However, Prof Sue was first entrusted with the responsibility of welcoming everyone to the session.

The workshop began with a check-in exercise, where participants were asked to introduce themselves with an adjective that describes them within the partnership, starting with the first letter of their name. Examples were Absorbing Ashleigh, Lawful Lukhona, Surviving Sue, Xtra Xena, Merciful Matilda, and Compassionate Chante. Not only did this exercise allow individuals to reflect on their position in this partnership, but it also allowed others to get to know them a bit better. It also caused a bit of a headache but much laughter.

After that, we proceeded to ask everyone to sit in their partner pairs for the rest of the session to be able to do the design sprint. There were a few cases in which only one partner was present. Those individuals merged, or Prof Sue and Dr Xena joined their partner pair for the sprint. The design sprint was split into various steps, each with a time allocation. The first step instructed the partner pairs to interview each other using the questions provided. Steps 2-5 required the partner pairs to discuss the points made in step one and redefine the design challenge if necessary. Thereafter, as individuals, they had to identify three keywords from their design challenge and describe each keyword in one phrase. They then had to share their keywords and descriptors and collectively choose from the six, three keywords and descriptors that would define their partnership. Step six called for the partner pair to brainstorm solutions to their design challenge, using the agreed-upon definitions and the interview feedback. In step seven, the partner pair had to identify the top three solutions and then decide on one solution. They then had some time to add all the information to a poster. The final step was for each partner pair to present their design challenge and the process that led them to the best solution to the rest of the participants.

For this design sprint, Ashleigh and Lukhona decided to use the same design challenge that participants had to use to prepare for their presentation in week six. Based on the feedback from the room, everyone was grateful that they could extensively work through the challenge, as it allowed them to be more equipped for their presentation. The session concluded with each participant shouting out a word describing the day. The feedback of the check-out can attest that the participant had a productive and fruitful session, and the facilitators were equally grateful for holding the space. Dr Xena said a short word of thanks and made some concluding remarks.

When sharing their reflections, Ashleigh wrote: “Today was one of those days where the lines of being a student and staff member crossed. As much as I am a student on the project, I feel more like a staff member when I am placed in such roles of taking the lead in facilitating. It also makes this partnership feel more equitable as I can take on a bigger role, not just facilitating the check-in or breakout room.”  This reflection speaks to the core team, which is also constantly doing retrospect to ensure they uphold the principles they are trying to implement within this project.