Alternative Steps in Appreciative Inquiry

Alternate First and Last Steps
Andy Smith
'Define' is a useful first step and this is how we teach the '5-D model' in our AI facilitator trainings.
As I understand it, the final stage was originally known as 'Delivery'. Some AI practitioners switched over to 'Destiny' later.
As I understand it, more practitioners are calling it 'Delivery' again, in the UK at least. This makes it easier to communicate to a business audience!

Destiny or Delivery or Deploy? Dream or Direction or Degobah?
Gary Wong
When I took my AI certification from David and Diana, the word used was 'Destiny'. At that time I was with Ernst & Young consulting. We were introducing positive change management to support ERP IT implementations. We changed it to 'Deliver" or for some clients, 'Deploy", to present a stronger project management tone. It really doesn't matter what words you use to call your stages; the key is to pick words that resonate with your client.
Ditto for 'Dream'. Some boomer clients like 'Direction' while generation Xers might choose Yoda's "Degobah"!
Consider the stages to be chapters in a story about change you are co-writing with the client. Pick chapter titles that would be attractive and intriguing. Have fun with it!