GV Design Sprint Mapping

This 90-minute workshop uses the GV Design Sprint mapping process to define long-term goals, diagram user steps, and select a target problem.

5 time blocks, 90 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Define Long-Term Goal and Sprint Questions: 15 min
Write down the ultimate project goal and key risks on a whiteboard
Map the Customer Journey: 20 min
Draw a simple flowchart from entry point to successful outcome
Interview Experts and Capture Notes: 35 min
Interview team experts and reframe insights as How Might We notes
Cluster and Vote on Opportunities: 10 min
Group sticky notes by theme and use dot votes to highlight top ideas
Select the Target Focus: 10 min
Decider selects one target customer and one step on the map

About this routine

Developed by Jake Knapp and the Google Ventures team, the GV Design Sprint mapping framework helps teams clarify complex challenges before building solutions. Instead of jump-starting brainstorms, the session begins at the end by defining a clear long-term goal and listing critical questions that could defeat the project.

The process maps the user path from start to finish in simple steps. Team members interview internal experts, record How Might We notes, and cluster those notes directly onto the map to expose bottlenecks and hidden assumptions.

By the end of the session, the designated decider selects one target customer and one key step on the map. This narrow focus ensures the rest of the sprint addresses the single most impactful problem.

Why this routine works

Aligns team members around a single long-term goal
Visualizes user flow to highlight critical bottlenecks
Converts team challenges into actionable opportunities
Eliminates debate by empowering a decider to choose the target

FAQ

What is the mapping step in a GV Design Sprint?

The mapping step takes place on the first day of a design sprint. It creates a simple step-by-step diagram of how customers interact with a product or service to find key bottlenecks.

Who needs to participate in the mapping session?

A small team of five to seven people works best. It must include a designated decider, a facilitator, and key experts from product, design, engineering, and customer support.

How long should a problem mapping workshop take?

While the full book method spans a morning, this streamlined session compresses the mapping, expert interviews, and target selection into a focused 90-minute block.

Sources

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz