Lab 42 — Design Together
From foggy idea to executable blueprint in 2–3 weeks. Lab 42 is our evidence-driven design phase. Every workshop, diagram and prototype is mapped to a downstream test or line of code, so nothing gets lost between "whiteboard" and "pull-request."
1 · Why design before you build?
| Pain without a design phase | What Lab 42 eliminates |
|---|---|
| Specs drift and re-work pile up | BPMN + BDD tie scope to testable outcomes. |
| Stakeholders talk past each other | Three-Layer modelling shows exec, ops and dev the same picture. |
| “Surprise” integrations blow budgets | Technical spikes surface API / data gaps early. |
| Hard to choose billing model | Re-scored FCI tells us if Fixed, Pod or DaaS fits best. |
2 · The Lab 42 Operating System
| Step | Key Activities | Artefacts |
|---|---|---|
| Discover | Stakeholder canvas • Success metrics | Vision map, OKR list |
| Map | Three-Layer BPMN L1-L3 | Diagrams with swim-lanes |
| Align | Gamified workshops (Octalysis) | MoSCoW backlog, risk heat-map |
| Validate | BDD scenario writing • Low-fi prototype | Gherkin suite, clickable UI |
| Commit | FCI re-score • Budget & model recommendation | Architecture pack, SoW draft |
Elapsed time: 8–15 business days (scope-dependent).
3 · Signature Methods & Artefacts
■ Three-Layer BPMN
L1 Vision – high-level value stream
L2 Business Flow – roles & swim-lanes
L3 Technical Detail – system interactions & data shapes
Marries exec clarity with developer depth.
■ Behaviour-Driven Matrix
Every BPMN task gets a Gherkin scenario; scenarios become automated tests in Sim 42.
■ Clickable Prototype
SvelteKit or Figma click-through built by Day 4; lets users feel the flow, not just read it.
■ Feature Clarity Index (FCI)
12-question rubric, scored pre- & post-Lab. Typical jump = +3.2 points.
■ Risk & Dependency Heat-Map
Traffic-light view of integration, data, security and adoption landmines; updated each workshop.
4 · Workshop Formats & Gamification
| Format | Duration | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Decision Jam | 45 min | Rapid problem framing; no rabbit holes. |
| Octalysis-powered Prioritisation | 90 min | Game mechanics keep energy high, consensus fast. |
| Design Studio Sketch-off | 60 min | Cross-functional sketches yield better prototypes. |
| BDD Discovery "Three Amigos" | 30 min chunks | BA, dev, QA write tests together—zero lost intent. |
All sessions can run hybrid via Miro + Gather.town.
5 · Toolchain
Miro
digital whiteboards
Camunda Modeler
BPMN L3 diagrams
Cucumber Studio
BDD repository
Storybook
live UI component workbench
GitHub Projects
backlog & sprint planning
6 · Cadence & Timeline (sample 10-day sprint-0)
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kick-off, success metrics | Stakeholder canvas |
| 2 | BPMN L1 & L2 | BPMN L3 deep-dive |
| 3 | Risk heat-map | Prototype sketch-off |
| 4 | Clickable prototype build | Usability quick-test |
| 5 | BDD discovery #1 | Data & API spike |
| 6 | BDD discovery #2 | FCI midpoint score |
| 7 | Cost-driver analysis | Billing model workshop |
| 8 | Architecture summary | Draft backlog |
| 9 | Review loop & edits | Sign-off rehearsal |
| 10 | Final sign-off | Hand-off to Forge 42 |
7 · Gate Criteria (exit = ready for build)
- FCI ≥ 5
- BPMN L1-L3 signed
- ≥ 80 % user stories linked to Gherkin
- Prototype walkthrough approved
- Risk heat-map ≤ "amber" on all critical items
- Budget & billing model accepted
Fail a gate? We pause, adjust or cycle Mini-DaaS before writing code.
8 · Mini Case
Insurance Onboarding Re-Design — 14-step paper process collapsed to 6 digital steps; FCI moved 3.1 → 7.8; prototype validated with 5 users in 48 h. Result: Fixed-Scope MVP delivered 30 % under initial budget range.
9 · FAQs
10 · Call to Action
Ready to turn vision into a build-ready blueprint?
Book a Lab 42 discovery call—get an agenda and fixed quote within 48 h.
Book Lab 42