Transformative Scenario Planning

Introduction

The increasingly complex economic, political and social environment in which most organizations now operate is placing a huge demand on their planning and leadership capability. The standard assumption is that we cannot predict or influence the future – merely adapt to it. As a result only about 3% of organizations bother to use scenario planning as an integral part of their strategic thinking and strategic planning. This failure to use scenario planning not only results in poor strategies and poor performance but also fails to identify and address problems and challenges that can seriously limit and ultimately destroy an organization or a society.

This training course covers a robust approach to planning for the future called ‘Transformative Scenario Planning’ that not only identifies a range of possible futures but also sets out to change the future by influencing systems, structures and processes around us and to do so in a collaborative and holistic manner.

This training course on Transformative Scenario Planning will address all of these areas by covering the relevant background information and models and providing the powerful practical skills required to negotiate the five key phases of scenario planning. By applying this proven approach delegates will be able to anticipate and plan for a range of likely possible futures that might well impact their organizations and so enjoy a sustainable lead over their private sector or public service competitors.

This GLOMACS training course on Transformative Scenario Planning will combine imagination with robust analysis and highlight how to:

• Assemble a scenario planning team that represents the whole system your organization is operating within
• Become aware of and observe what is happening in and around your organization
• Design and deliver detailed, believable, consequential stories about what could happen in the future
• Identify what can and must be done to mould to or proactively influence the system
• Plan and act to adapt to – and transform – structures, processes and players in the system

Objectives

This Transformative Scenario Planning training course is designed to help attendees to:

• Fully understand the nature and role of scenario planning in today’s private and public sector organizations
• Clearly distinguish scenario planning from forecasting, contingency planning, trend analysis and threat matrices
• Really appreciate and master the five key phases of the planning process
• Confidently structure and implement each phase for maximum success
• Powerfully apply the results of the process both internally and externally to drive innovation in product development, service delivery, funding, etc.
• Skillfully disseminate the panel’s outputs and thus enhance their organization’s reputation, credibility and standing

Training Methodology

This training course will use a range of approaches to learning, including experiential group activities, individual exercises, mini-case studies, existing scenarios, role plays and syndicate discussions. Graphical materials and stimulating explanations will be used to introduce underlying models.

A key part of the learning process is sharing the different experiences participants bring, as well as experimenting with novel – and sometimes challenging – techniques.

Organisational Impact

Your organization will benefit from:

• Gaining a key input to its strategic planning and strategic thinking process
• Enhanced, world-class planning capability
• Increased alignment with key players in its operating environment
• Improved communication, openness and levels of trust with its major stakeholders
• Enhanced creativity and innovation in its problem-solving
• Collaborative resolution of conflicts and challenges
• Higher levels of organizational productivity

Personal Impact

Participants will be exposed to probably the most powerful strategic management process that exists. A process that has literally been responsible for the end of apartheid in South Africa, that accelerated the end of the former Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall and the success of global organizations that have consistently out- performed their rivals over several decades.

Participants will also add to their leadership, team-development, planning and problem-solving skills. These skills and insights can be used in many different areas of their professional and personal lives and will make them considerably more valuable in today’s highly competitive job market.