Imagine being able to derive plausible future scenarios. Imagine using that knowledge to make decisions that can influence the future you want for your organization, your industry, and even your country.

You can do just that. At this workshop, you will learn about tools and methods that will help you identify future scenarios, analyze the impacts of those futures, and make appropriate decisions today.

This virtual strategic foresight training workshop is scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays over a three-week period. Dr. Peter Bishop will lead you through a program based on the Certificate in Strategic Foresight offered by the University of Houston.

During the workshop you will:

  • Learn the methods most commonly used in strategic foresight.
  • Get to know the major practitioners and published works in the field.
  • Develop skills in systems thinking and analyzing and explaining change.
  • Learn how to forecast and develop long-term scenarios.
  • Learn how to identify implications and strategic issues.

A balanced approach of presentations, discussions, and practical application will be used throughout the workshop.

What is strategic foresight?

Strategic foresight is based on the premise that the future is not predictable or pre-determined—future outcomes can be influenced by our choices in the present. Its goal is to create plausible scenarios that can help you make decisions today that steer you toward a preferred future.

Man arranging post-it notes on glass wall

Facilitator

Craig Kramer

Dr. Peter Bishop is a distinguished foresight professional with extensive experience in teaching and consulting in the field. He has run versions of this program for several sections of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, as well as for Health Canada and Policy Horizons Canada. Dr. Bishop has recently published a textbook on the field with Dr. Andy Hines, Teaching About the Future: The Basics of Foresight Education.

Agenda

This workshop is scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays over a three-week period for a total of 6 sessions. Each session is 3 hours long, including a half hour lunch break, and held between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Please note: All agenda times are in Eastern Standard Time. See what time that is for you.

11:00 a.m.
Welcoming remarks and introduction
11:15 a.m.
Module 1: Setting the stage
The historical context and current state of future studies and strategic foresight.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
1:00 p.m.
Module 2: Social change
Where it comes from and how it works.
2:30 p.m.
Adjourn
11:00 a.m.
Welcome back and review of previous day
11:15 a.m.
Module 3: Framing
Preparing for the future of a topic.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
1:00 p.m.
Module 4: Scanning
Finding signals of change.
2:30 p.m.
Adjourn
11:00 a.m.
Welcome back and review of previous week
11:15 a.m.
Module 5: The expected future
The expected (baseline) future and its implications.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
1:00 p.m.
Module 6: Baseline analysis
Critically thinking about how the future could turn out otherwise.
2:30 p.m.
Adjourn
11:00 a.m.
Welcome back and review of previous day
11:15 a.m.
Module 7: Alternative futures
Describing what might happen instead in the form of scenarios.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
1:00 p.m.
Module 8: Scenario presentations
Vividly portraying a scenario.
2:30 p.m.
Adjourn
11:00 a.m.
Welcome back and review of previous week
11:15 a.m.
Module 9: Implication analysis
Strategic issues for an enterprise based on the scenarios.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
1:00 p.m.
Module 10: Creating change I
Leaders, visions, and goals.
2:30 p.m.
Adjourn
11:00 a.m.
Welcome back and review of previous day
11:15 a.m.
Module 11: Creating change II
Plans and their implementation.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
1:00 p.m.
Module 12: Course summary
The foresight maturity model and other reflections.
2:30 p.m.
Adjourn

As we were reminded in the workshop, one can’t safely drive a car using only the rear-view mirror. In a business environment that feels like it is evolving at warp speed, it’s so important to look out for what may be ahead. As I don’t have the luxury of a crystal ball, it was fantastic to learn a simple yet effective approach to gaining a broader view of the future. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has to either make or support decisions about the future.

Catherine Taylor, Kinross Gold Corporation

Register

Make the decisions you need to create the future you want.

$1,295/person

Please note:
This event is limited to 24 people to maintain an intimate forum for learning and discussion.

Man working on laptop

This event has passed, please contact our team if you wish to be added to the waitlist.

Cancellation fees: 30 days prior to the start of the event, it is $500; less than 30 days, it is 50% of the registration fee.

The details of this event are subject to change. Please revisit this page periodically for updated information.