How Blue Shield of California built internal innovation capability with Problem Framing and Design Sprints

2020, Oakland, California

When Blue Shield of California reached out, they didn’t ask us to run a sprint. They asked us to do something bolder: teach their teams to lead.

This wasn’t about a one-off solution. It was about building a sustainable, in-house capability to solve the right problems—and solve them faster.

The Opportunity‍

Facing the complexities of today’s healthcare landscape, Blue Shield of California is navigating challenges that are anything but simple.

From building a digital infrastructure for better healthcare decision-making…To improving access to mental health services…To integrating emerging technologies like AI and machine learning…To continuing to respond to the long-tail effects of COVID-19.

These aren’t just technical challenges. They’re strategic ones.

And they demand a way of working that brings clarity, alignment, and action—fast.

So Blue Shield didn’t just look for a framework.They looked for a capability.

That’s where Design Sprint Academy came in.

The Training Experience‍

We delivered our complete 5-day corporate training program, designed to equip internal teams with the skills to facilitate meaningful change—across functions and challenges.

Module 1: Problem Framing Training

Teams learned how to stop jumping to solutions and start defining the right problems—using a structured, visual process that helps surface assumptions, align perspectives, and clarify outcomes.

Module 2: Design Sprint Training

We guided participants through a complete sprint simulation: mapping, ideation, decision-making, prototyping, and user testing. They learned how to go from uncertainty to insight in just a few days.

Module 3: Design Sprint Facilitation Training

Finally, we trained participants to lead sprints and framing sessions themselves—with confidence. This included facilitation techniques, timeboxing strategies, and group dynamics essentials. This wasn’t passive training. Everyone practiced. Everyone led. Everyone leveled up.

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Tools to Support the Rollout

To make implementation smooth, we provided Blue Shield teams with our Design Sprint Facilitation Kits—complete toolkits for both in-person and remote settings.

These kits help facilitators:

• Structure their sprint from start to finish
• Stay focused on outcomes, not logistics
• Adapt the process to real-world constraints

And because capability-building doesn’t end on day five, we supported teams with ongoing coaching—reviewing sprint plans, troubleshooting tough moments, and reinforcing facilitation skills in context.

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The Impact

Since the training, Blue Shield teams have applied Problem Framing and Design Sprints across the organization—tackling everything from system-wide service improvements to tech-driven innovation initiatives.

With a shared language and repeatable method, they now approach complexity with structure—and momentum.

And in a healthcare landscape defined by complexity, that makes all the difference.

Curious what this could look like inside your organization?

Let’s talk about how to build the internal capability to move fast—with focus.