The Power of Repetition: Why ELM Invited Us Back to Train More Teams in 2024

August 5, 2024
DSA Team

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2024. Three modules. Cross-functional teams. One shared goal: equip internal talent to drive innovation—end to end.

The Opportunity

As one of Saudi Arabia’s leading technology companies, ELM had already begun its agile transformation. But in 2024, they took the next step: not just doing agile—but building the internal capability to lead innovation across the business.

The ask? Help their teams learn how to identify the right problems, solve them fast, and confidently facilitate the process themselves.

So they partnered with Design Sprint Academy for a three-part learning journey.

The Training Format

We delivered a comprehensive, hands-on training program built around our three flagship modules:

Module 1: Problem Framing

Teams were trained to uncover assumptions, align stakeholders, and define problems that actually matter—before jumping into solutions.

They worked on real, relevant challenges and practiced how to create clarity in complexity, turning broad goals into focused opportunities.

Module 2: Design Sprint Training (Accelerated Format)

Over two fast-paced days, participants experienced a compressed version of the full 4-day sprint—moving from mapping to ideation, prototyping to testing.

This is where teams learned what design thinking looks like in action: structured, time-boxed, and outcome-driven.

They embraced one of the method’s core principles: fail fast, learn faster. With support from AI-powered tools like Uizard AutoDesigner 2.0, teams built and tested ideas rapidly—building confidence with every round of feedback.

Module 3: Design Sprint Facilitation Training

In the final module, participants learned how to step into the role of facilitator.

We trained them not just on what to do, but how to do it: how to guide group dynamics, ask better questions, manage difficult conversations, and lead a sprint from start to finish—even when the room gets tense or the clock runs out.

This module turned skilled practitioners into future facilitators.

Why It Worked

This wasn’t about running one great sprint. It was about scaling capability across the organization.

By learning how to frame problems, run sprints, and facilitate the process, ELM’s teams walked away with:

  • A complete toolkit for innovation—from challenge to tested solution
  • The mindset to learn through experimentation, not perfection
  • A growing community of internal facilitators ready to lead the next wave of sprints
  • Confidence to move forward—without relying on external consultants

The Takeaway

Problem Framing teaches teams to focus on what matters.
Design Sprints show them how to solve those problems with speed.
Facilitation training gives them the power to lead the process themselves.

Together, this approach gave ELM the internal capability to scale innovation sustainably—aligned with their goals, culture, and ambition.

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What would change if your teams could do the same?

Let’s talk about what this kind of training could look like in your context.

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