In the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the ability to quickly develop and implement effective solutions is critical. However, traditional approaches often involve lengthy timelines that delay the impact of these initiatives. Design sprints offer a powerful alternative—a structured, time-bound process that enables organizations to rapidly prototype, test, and refine DEI solutions. In this post, we’ll explore the role of design sprints in driving DEI success and why they’re a game-changer for organizations committed to fostering a truly inclusive culture.

What are Design Sprints?

Design sprints are intense, collaborative workshops that condense months of work into just a few days. Originally developed by Google Ventures, design sprints follow a structured process that includes phases of understanding, ideation, prototyping, and testing. This approach allows teams to quickly move from problem identification to actionable solutions, making it ideal for addressing complex DEI challenges.

The Business Case for Design Sprints

The effectiveness of design sprints is backed by research. According to the Stanford d.school, design sprints can reduce project timelines by up to 60%, while still delivering high-quality outcomes. For DEI, this means that organizations can rapidly develop and implement solutions that address pressing issues, without sacrificing thoroughness or impact.

How Design Sprints Transform DEI Initiatives

1. Rapid Prototyping: Design sprints enable teams to quickly create prototypes of DEI initiatives, allowing for immediate testing and feedback. This rapid iteration helps identify potential issues early on, leading to more refined and effective solutions.

2. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Design sprints bring together diverse teams from across the organization, fostering collaboration and ensuring that DEI solutions are informed by a wide range of perspectives. This inclusivity is key to developing well-rounded, impactful initiatives.

3. Actionable Insights: By the end of a design sprint, teams have a clear, actionable plan for moving forward. This clarity not only accelerates implementation but also ensures that DEI initiatives are aligned with organizational goals and ready to make a real impact.

Case Study: Airbnb's "Design for Trust" Sprint

In 2016, Airbnb faced a growing challenge: reports of racial discrimination on its platform, with hosts rejecting guests based on race or ethnicity. To address this, Airbnb used design sprints to quickly develop solutions that would improve the inclusiveness of its platform and rebuild trust with its users.

Airbnb’s design sprint process brought together cross-functional teams, including engineers, designers, and representatives from Airbnb’s legal, customer service, and trust & safety departments. Over the course of a five-day sprint, the team rapidly ideated, prototyped, and tested new features aimed at reducing bias and ensuring more equitable experiences for all users.

Key features developed during the sprint included a new anti-bias policy, enhanced guest verification processes, and the "Instant Book" feature, which allows guests to book properties without host approval, minimizing the potential for discriminatory decisions.

Results:

• Airbnb successfully launched its "Open Doors" policy, guaranteeing that users who were discriminated against could find a new accommodation with Airbnb’s support. This policy became a core element of its anti-discrimination efforts.

• The design sprint led to the implementation of the "Instant Book" feature, which reduced discrimination reports by 16% within the first six months.

• Airbnb’s new anti-bias policies were embraced by its global community, strengthening its reputation as a platform committed to inclusion.

Airbnb’s use of design sprints to address discrimination demonstrates how this agile, focused approach can quickly generate impactful solutions, even for complex DEI challenges. By involving a diverse range of stakeholders in the sprint process, Airbnb was able to create a more inclusive platform in a matter of days, not months.

The Wrap-up

Design sprints are a game-changer for DEI initiatives, offering a fast, efficient, and collaborative approach to problem-solving. By condensing months of work into just a few days, design sprints enable organizations to rapidly develop and test solutions, ensuring that DEI efforts are both impactful and aligned with organizational goals. If you’re ready to see how design sprints can drive your DEI success, join us for our upcoming webinar on September 17th, where we’ll delve deeper into co-creation as a catalyst for change initiatives, an approach that leverages DEI design sprints.

Ready to integrate co-creation into your DEI efforts?

Don’t miss our webinar, “Co-Creation as a Catalyst.” Register now to learn how to harness the power of co-creation to drive meaningful change in your organization.