Async Testing Options

The Biggest Async Challenge

Friday testing is the hardest part to make async. The original sprint’s magic is that everyone watches the same interviews live, reacts in real-time, and debriefs together with the patterns fresh in memory.

Async testing works, but requires intentional design to prevent the findings from losing their impact.

How Async Testing Works

Option A: Staggered Live Viewing (Best)

If the team’s time zones overlap for at least 3 hours:

1. Interviewer conducts interviews via video call
2. A live stream or meeting link lets team members watch in real time
3. Interviews are also recorded as backup
4. Team members post observation notes to #sprint-testing during or immediately after each interview

This is closest to the original experience. Even if not everyone can watch every interview live, aim for at least 2–3 team members per session.

Option B: Recorded Interviews (Fully Async)

If time zones don’t overlap:

1. Interviewer conducts and records all 5 interviews
2. Recordings are posted to #sprint-testing as they complete
3. Team members watch recordings at their own pace within the 48-hour window
4. Each person posts observation notes after each recording

This loses the real-time energy but still produces the same data.

Hybrid Approach (Recommended)

Schedule interviews across the widest possible window. Some team members watch live, others watch recordings. Everyone posts notes in the same format.