Scenario Thinking In this process, a joint team is established to look into the future in a structured manner and developing plausible and realistic scenarios that your organisation may face. The process of scenario development provides shared language and context, an early warning radar as well as a more prepared organisation. The Scenario Thinking process is designed to create equally plausible 'potential futures', against which any decision can be assessed. We start with a key ‘question’ to be addressed, and the process ensures that any decisions or projects initiated as a consequence of this are more robust under a variety of alternative futures. The organisation is then able to make informed decisions about the future which are more likely to provide a positive outcome in any of the 'potential futures' analysed.
Strategic Conversations: The phrase 'Strategic Conversation' is used to refer to the process of discussing the future, amidst the backdrop of organisational culture, environmental forces and individual mindsets or mental-models. This conversation seeks to take account of the different factors at play in the environment, and looks to possible futures with a view to learning about the potentialities which may come about. This learning helps individuals and organisations better prepare for the uncertainties, develop and communicate the strategy or strategies for handling these. Strategic conversations are all about organisational survival, maximising the organisations chance of achieving its purpose in whatever environment it finds itself. Strategic Conversations are an integral part of the Scenario Thinking process described below, but can also be run independently as an exercise to stretch the thinking of the organisation as well as provide a forum for establishing a common language and outlook for the future.
Futures Thinking: Organisations exist and thrive as an integral part of society and as society changes, organisations will also need to change. Our futures thinking involves workshops which explore the possibilities across a wide range of subjects, using experts from other disciplines and seeks to draw out ideas and concepts that it is envisaged will have an impact on the organisation or specific areas being examined. These workshops provide indicators of future change that are worth monitoring and tracking. Futures Thinking can be run as an separate activity, or more usually as a part of Scenario Thinking.
