The Loop drives us
Understand the present and envision the future in a continuous cycle of observing, reflecting, and making.
Come together and look within
As a project progresses, we’re constantly taking in new information. Observing generates fresh data about the real world, while making generates new ideas and opportunities to pursue. But as this information reveals the complexity of our problem space, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, drift out of alignment, or lose sight of the mission we set out to accomplish together.
This is why it’s important to regularly reflect as a team. Reflecting brings your team together to synchronize your movements, synthesize what you’ve learned, and share your “aha” moments with each other. If the situation has changed, it’s also a time to rethink how you want to move forward.
When reflecting, have the empathy to understand diverse perspectives, the flexibility to respond to change, and the integrity to stay true to your team’s values. Be honest about what you know and be open to what you hear—positive or negative. It isn’t easy to get started, but when you reflect regularly, the feedback you receive will give rise to your best ideas.
Get to know each other
Cultivate a common identity by discovering what unites you as a team. Get to know each other as people and build empathy with them as you would with your users. Take stock of the diversity of perspectives. Acknowledge everyone’s strengths and think of your own limitations as an opportunity for others to shine.
Align on intent
If you find yourselves drifting out of alignment, slow down and examine the intent and motivations behind your work. Come to a common understanding of your users, the problem you’re solving, and the outcome you’re working to achieve together. Take stock of the work you’re doing and make sure it’s aligned with your team’s big picture mission.
Uncover new insights
As you take in new information, take stock of what you know and what you don’t know. Synthesize your knowledge to uncover hidden insight that illuminates the path forward. An insight isn’t restating an observation—it’s a leap in clarity, reframing your point of view and changing your convictions about what’s important.
Plan ahead
As your understanding evolves, don’t move forward blindly. Decide together on your next move. You can either take another loop, or put a stake in the ground and commit to an idea. Whatever you decide, make sure you’re all clear on what you’re doing next.
Ask each other
If you don’t know where to start, consider these questions as an individual and as a team. Work to address any disagreements you might uncover.
What’s our reality?
- What are our capabilities?
- Who are our stakeholders?
- What can we control and influence?
Are we aligned?
- What problem are we solving?
- How do we define success?
- What do we stand to gain or lose?
What are we learning?
- What did we observe or make?
- What’s working and what isn’t?
- Can we derive any insights?
What’s our plan?
- What’s on our roadmap?
- What resources do we need?
- Are we ready to commit?