Which of the following is a key element of the IDEATE phase in a design sprint?

Sketching competing solutions on paper is a critical component of the IDEATE phase in a design sprint. This phase focuses on generating a wide variety of ideas and concepts that could potentially address the problem at hand. By translating thoughts into sketches, designers can visually communicate their ideas, making it easier to explore different solutions.

The IDEATE phase encourages creative thinking and collaboration among team members. Sketching allows for rapid prototyping of ideas, which can then be discussed and refined in subsequent stages. This hands-on approach fosters innovation, as team members can build upon one another's ideas visually, leading to more comprehensive and viable design solutions.

Additionally, sketching serves to document the brainstorming process, providing a reference point for what has been considered as the team moves forward into forming more developed concepts. This clarity is essential for ensuring that all ideas are acknowledged, and it helps in narrowing down to the most promising solutions in later stages of the design sprint.