Navigated to Ep 1.8: Deliver, prototyping, testing and making it real

Ep 1.8: Deliver, prototyping, testing and making it real

Nov 23, 2025
16 mins

Episode Description

Check out the episode guide.⁠⁠

We’ve reached deliver in the double diamond. In this episode I share how to align with your client, build rough prototypes, test without leading, iterate with intent, and package the work with roadmaps and stakeholder maps.

Listen on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Goodpods⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠iHeart⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Pocket Casts⁠⁠⁠


Resources Mentioned


Timestamps

0:02 – Introduction
Michael welcomes listeners to the Deliver phase, recapping the journey from problem discovery through to ideation.

0:40 – Deliver phase overview and client check-in
Select 2–3 promising ideas, share them with the client, gather feedback, and align on which concept to take forward based on time and budget.

3:06 – Prototyping mindset: converge and keep it rough
Move from broad options to a focused solution. Build low-fidelity prototypes that invite critique rather than praise, including simple wireframes or Wizard-of-Oz clickthroughs.

5:20 – Prototyping across contexts
Use service blueprints, role plays and storyboards for services; cardboard mock-ups for products (IDEO-style); and low-cost event tests such as a basic Eventbrite listing or a mock invitation.

8:02 – Testing with people: show, don’t tell
Put the prototype in users’ hands, ask them to think aloud, and avoid leading questions. Michael shares a failed video prototype and the lesson to make feedback targets and artefacts tangible.

12:30 – Iterate and package
Synthesise feedback (affinity map what you hear), prioritise changes, run 2–3 cycles, then assemble clear artefacts: summaries, visuals, walkthroughs and ready-to-use assets.

13:38 – Implementation and handover
Provide a practical roadmap (now/next/later), stakeholder and influence maps, suggested engagement tactics (e.g. student committee), and a business model canvas, plus notes on other ideas for future phases.

15:13 – Design is a loop
Delivery often starts the next round of discovery and learning. The process is non-linear, evolving with every project.

16:22–16:34 – Wrap up and sign off
Thanks to listeners and an invitation to subscribe and continue exploring design thinking in practice.


Michael Walter is an educator, writer, ⁠⁠⁠academic⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠founder⁠⁠⁠, improviser, and ⁠⁠⁠musician⁠⁠⁠. He explores the intersections of creativity, technology, innovation, and social justice, always with a deep curiosity about how humans grow and connect.



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