4 good reasons to run a discovery workshop

It’s often tempting to run straight into design. You have an idea as to what you want so why waste time? Surely just get stuck in, no?

No. And here’s our 4 reasons why…

1. It will save you time

Taking the time up front to iron out queries and agree what project success looks like will save you time at the end. We promise. Remember that project where your scope and goal posts slid and collapsed into some unrecognisable and mediocre pile by the end, two weeks later than planned? That’s what we aim to avoid by asking all the right questions up front.

2. It focuses everyone on the user

USPs, product benefits, user journeys, consumer experience… it can be easy to get lost in your brief and see these only through you and your team’s eyes. A good discovery workshop forces you to walk in the shoes of who’s actually going to use your service or product, and can open up some surprising and previously unconsidered opportunities.

3. It gets everyone on the same page

You know that part halfway through your project where someone has a great idea and suddenly it changes (or derails ?) what everyone thought they were doing? Have that great idea up front instead. Getting your full team together at the start ensures all good thoughts are captured and saves any that are discounted for good reason to be put aside there and then.

4. It reduces your risk of useless design

We believe good design is measured not only by how something looks but how well it works. Only when you have a full understanding of what you have to communicate, what your audience wants to know and how they might best do this can you start to consider how the wrapper on it might look.

In summary, a workshop, kick off meeting, discovery phase, whatever label you like to give it is a sure way of understanding the ‘why’ in your ‘what’. It gives context and insights to your brief, and uncovers what needs to be solved, rather than simply jumping into a solution.