What is the first step in planning a design sprint?

The first step in planning a design sprint involves conducting user research. This is crucial because understanding the users' needs, behaviors, and pain points lays the foundation for the entire design process. User research allows the design team to gather insights that inform the creation of relevant solutions during the sprint. This step ensures that the team is aligned with the target audience's requirements and challenges, which is essential for generating effective and user-centered design ideas.

By prioritizing user research at the beginning, the team can frame the problems they aim to solve, set meaningful goals for the sprint, and establish a context in which to evaluate design ideas effectively. This approach engages the team with real user data, guiding them to create designs that resonate well with users and ultimately enhance their experience.