Whiteboard Exercise

A Whiteboard Exercise is a evaluative method frequently employed in job interviews, especially in design-related roles. It capitalizes on the interactive nature of whiteboards to assess an applicant’s problem-solving and design-thinking skills. In this exercise, candidates are presented with a specific design challenge and are tasked with conceptualizing and illustrating their thought process on a whiteboard.

The primary objectives of a Whiteboard Exercise are to gauge the candidate’s ability to:

1. Visualize a Process:
   • What it entails: The candidate should demonstrate the capacity to mentally map out a step-by-step approach to solving a design problem.
   • Example: If the task is to design an ATM for the disabled, the candidate needs to visualize the user’s journey in using the ATM, considering accessibility needs at each step.
2. Show Work:
   • What it entails: Candidates are expected to illustrate their problem-solving methodology, articulating decisions and considerations.
   • Example: The candidate might sketch rough outlines of the ATM interface, highlighting features designed for accessibility, and explaining the reasoning behind each choice.
3. Arrive at Recommendations:
   • What it entails: The candidate must conclude the exercise by presenting viable and well-reasoned recommendations based on their design decisions.
   • Example: The candidate might suggest features such as voice-guided instructions, larger and tactile buttons, and adjustable screen height to enhance usability for disabled users.

Ultimately, a Whiteboard Exercise serves as a dynamic and real-time assessment of a candidate’s ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and creatively address design challenges. It allows employers to witness the ideation process, problem-solving approach, and communication skills of the candidate in a visually explicit manner.