What a Service Sprint Is (and Why You Need One Before You Launch)

19 May

Written By Sam Parnell

A service sprint is a short, structured way to explore an idea without committing to full delivery.

It creates space to:

Understand the context
Unpick existing systems or processes
Test assumptions
Explore options
Decide what to do next

Crucially, it allows organisations to learn without locking themselves into solutions too early.

For new ideas, this prevents costly missteps.

For existing services, it helps untangle complexity and identify where change will have the most impact.

Sprints are not about speed. They are about focus.

They give teams permission to think before acting.

Sam Parnell

Sam Parnell is the founder of Human First Digital. She works with organisations navigating digital and operational change, helping them make clear decisions, reduce complexity, and move forward with confidence.

With a background spanning digital strategy, transformation, and technical sales across multiple sectors, Sam brings a practical, evidence-led approach to change. Her work focuses on aligning people, systems, and priorities, ensuring transformation is grounded in real-world context rather than trends or assumptions.

Sam is known for her calm, considered style and her ability to translate complexity into clarity, supporting leaders, teams, and specialists to create progress that genuinely sticks.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samparnell1/