Suunnitteluvi

Suunnitteluvi is a term used in Finnish project management and product development to denote a focused, time-boxed planning period within an ongoing project. The concept is inspired by design sprint practices and adapted to fit shorter cycles and iterative workflows common in agile environments. It emphasizes deliberate preparation and alignment before broader implementation work.

Typically, suunnitteluvi lasts between three and five days, though the exact duration can vary by organization and project. It brings together cross-functional team members such as product owners, designers, developers, researchers, and stakeholders to concentrate on planning, ideation, and decision-making. The aim is to reduce ambiguity, accelerate shared understanding, and set a clear path for subsequent development work.

Common activities during suunnitteluvi include problem framing, goals and success criteria definition, user research synthesis, creation of user journeys or concepts, sketching and quick prototyping, backlog refinement, and the planning of implementation milestones. The outcome is a concrete plan and a shared design direction that guides the next sprint or development cycle.

Outputs from suunnitteluvi often include a design brief, an updated or prioritized backlog, high-level wireframes or prototypes, and a plan for testing and validation. The approach supports faster alignment, improved collaboration, and a clearer transition from planning to execution, while requiring disciplined time management to avoid bottlenecks or rushed decisions.