This case study looks at the productive collaboration between SIDE Labs and the Early Action partnership.
This case study looks at the productive collaboration between SIDE Labs and the Early Action partnership. Through a design sprint, they endeavoured to tackle the challenge of crafting a sustainable resource that captures the essence of Early Action delivery, inspiring others to embrace this approach.
With the overarching aim of creating a resource that demystifies Early Action for wider adoption, the team embarked on a journey to clarify partner needs, audience preferences, and the most effective delivery methods. Their discovery phase was driven by a desire to ensure the solution’s sustainability.
The design sprint yielded a multitude of potential outputs – from training decks to recipe cards, audit assessment tools, and case studies. Through the discovery phase, they scrutinised these options to identify the best fit for the project’s goals. At least one output, along with its hosting on the Refugee Action and Good Practice website, was anticipated.
SIDE Labs meticulously structured the sprint and gave partners exposure to the design process in terms of the stages of research, co- production, testing, and iteration. With a focus on agility, the sprint was organised into a series of engaging sessions, including one- on-one calls to gather partner insights, collaborative workshops to review prototypes, and testing sessions in local contexts.
The project’s scope evolved organically, transitioning from a singular resource to a comprehensive toolkit. This adjustment emerged from recognising the holistic needs of the Early Action landscape. Additionally, the importance of tailoring the toolkit for newcomers to Early Action became evident, which should be explored in the next phase of the project. suggesting the value of earlier audience research.
Extending the project timeline proved invaluable, leading to the development of a comprehensive toolkit catering to various stages of Early Action engagement. This extended timeline also allows for extensive testing, enhancing the toolkit’s effectiveness. Partners’ deeper involvement in testing is poised to foster confidence in adopting and adapting the materials, ultimately propelling advocacy for the toolkit within local ecosystems.
This case study underscores the potency of a well-orchestrated design sprint and collaborative ideation in driving impactful outcomes. The partnership between SIDE Labs and the Early Action initiative exemplifies how innovative approaches can transform complex challenges into robust solutions. The toolkit’s forthcoming implementation and the anticipated ripple effect within local networks stand as testimony to the potential unleashed through creative teamwork and agile thinking.
