Mastering Foresight: Scenario-Based Planning

The Scenario-Based Planning Bootcamp is an intensive, hands-on executive and professional education program designed for leaders and organizations looking to build competencies and skill sets in strategic foresight. As opposed to forecasting, which seeks to predict one likely event, Scenario-Based Planning is a foresight tool that explores many possible future outcomes in order to help organizations identify the capabilities necessary to prepare for an uncertain future. During the workshop-style bootcamp, participants learn how to construct scenarios and conduct workshops to yield creative solutions and leverage tools to analyze capabilities for investment.

Professionals learn disciplined approaches to writing, facilitating, analyzing, and developing recommendations that fit their organization by being practical, sustainable, and cost-effective. By acquiring these skills, organizations become prepared to effectively focus people, resources, and capabilities for an uncertain future. The program is available in two formats: in-person and live online.

Price: $2,950

Available discounts for courses hosted in the United States

Early Bird Discount Save 5% if you register 30 days before the course starts	Special Discount Save 5% if you use code SMG-LBL during registration

Schedule and Registration

Program Overview

The five day (or ten half days) bootcamp will cover the entire Scenario-Based Planning process, including “how tos” for bridging the gap to inform strategy. From Day One, a logical path for understanding the required five phases unfolds revealing a practical foresight process; one that is in alignment with decades of practice in both private and public sectors.

The program will help you develop requisite foresight and Scenario-Based Planning competencies, including the use of key strategic tools in order to effectively assess an organization’s possible future environments and formulate strategies to improve organizational performance. You will be able to translate capabilities that may be needed in the future to strategy, and prioritize projects to drive the right outcomes. You will be able to describe the vital role foresight plays in strategic planning and execution, while selecting the future capabilities that matter most.

Phases and Outline

Phase I: Focus on the Future

• Introduction
• Drivers and Poles
• Future Environment

Phase II: Develop Alternative Worlds

• Scenario Selection
• Develop Content

Phase III: Facilitate a Scenario-Based Planning Workshop

• Overview of Process
• 20-year postures
• Capabilities
• Gaps
• Prioritization
• Divestiture
• Create Briefing

Phase IV: Analyze Future Investments

Phase V: Apply to Strategy Formulation

• Analyze Results
• Change Agenda
• Strategic Plan
• Logistic
• Class Critique

Learning Objectives

The program is designed for professionals looking to build competency in strategic foresight by learning about and practicing the most widely used foresight tool: Scenario-Based Planning. Participants will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to prepare their organizations and themselves by:

• Leading and facilitating all phases of a Scenario-Based Planning workshop
• Acquiring a foundation in principal developments of alternative future worlds, what drives them, and how to lead discussions to elicit capabilities needed to succeed
• Thinking strategically and screening for opportunities that help organizations prepare for an uncertain future
• Aligning teams and individuals behind the skill of “futuring” to enhance strategic agility in the organization
• Ensuring strategic planning priorities are aligned to and drive the right outcomes
• Bridging the gap between strategy and foresight by learning tools to effectively analyze many possible futures, their needed capabilities, and priorities
• Leveraging an agile strategic foresight system to guide effective decision-making
• Cultivating a strategy-focused organization, driven by deliberate thought and consideration of the possible futures that could unfold

What Does the Scenario-Based Planning Program Cover?

This program covers the entire Scenario-Based Planning process, including “how tos” for bridging the gap to inform strategy. From Day One, a logical path for understanding the required five phases unfolds revealing a practical foresight process; one that is in alignment with decades of practice in both private and public sectors.

The program will help you develop requisite foresight and Scenario-Based Planning competencies, including the use of key strategic tools in order to effectively assess an organization’s possible future environments and formulate strategies to improve organizational performance. You will be able to translate capabilities that may be needed in the future to strategy, and prioritize projects to drive the right outcomes. You will be able to describe the vital role foresight plays in strategic planning and execution, while selecting the future capabilities that matter most.

Who Should Attend?

The Scenario-Based Planning Program is an executive and professional education program that delivers hands-on understanding and practical tools to those seeking to lead foresight in their organizations, along with those desiring to develop skills to take on more responsibilities tied to strategic foresight and strategy management.

• Individuals and leaders interested in leveraging foresight as a tool to prepare for an uncertain future
• Professionals charged with leading, managing, or having responsibilities linked to development and implementation of strategy
• Owners and senior executives who see the need for more effective preparation for dealing with unknown disruptors in their organization
• Professionals building a pathway to careers in foresight and strategic planning and management
• Project management professionals seeking to bridge the gap between foresight and strategy development
• Strategic management consultants seeking to expand the horizon-scanning portion of their portfolios
• University-level business management degree students, both graduates and undergraduates, wanting to further define their value to potential employers

About Our Partnerships

The George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership

In order to provide a seamless, high quality learning experience for the current and aspiring strategy leaders, SMG partners with The George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (GW CEPL), a part of the College of Professional Studies.

Together, our partnership will provide the rigorous, academically grounded, leadership development-focused content and learning environment that is the hallmark of GWU’s executive education programs. Our partnership also offers the critical bench strength in teaching, consulting, and program support that enables the highest quality of client support.

 LBL Strategies

SMG partners with LBL Strategies (LBL), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, in order to help organizations identify the capabilities necessary to prepare for an uncertain future. LBL’s customer value proposition grows out of more than 35 years of experience in helping organizations focus, make better decisions, and grow by leveraging foresight to think and act strategically.