In short: I use a 10-slide pitch deck as a basis that I validate in advance with decision makers way before I start the Design Sprint.

I often use a base structure the Guy Kawasaki 10-slide pitch deck format. This format works well for a Design Sprint report that is then shared with decision makers.

The pitch deck structure

Validate the structure before making the presentation

The goal is to validate the content before even starting the Design Sprint.

One approach I like to use is to send the presentation—made with placeholder text and images—to one member of the decision-making group or board and ask them questions like:

1. What is missing that would help you make a decision?

2. What is unnecessary for making a decision?

The stakeholder often suggests minor adjustments, such as adding one or two key points or tweaking specific wording. For example, when presenting financial aspects, they might want not one financial projection but maybe three different ones and all on a 5 year time-frame.

This then also ensures that during the Design Sprint you think about the additional elements that the decision makers need to make their decision.

✨ Improve with AI
The first draft of this Q&A is based on a voice note I recorded while walking that then was transcribed and cleaned using AI tools like Descript and ChatGPT. I then reviewed and adapted the text further.