Why take this programme?
If you are interested in, operating within or moving towards a scenario planning role within your organisation, this programme provides a unique opportunity to learn from and work with highly respected professionals within the futures field. You will learn from proven and innovative techniques for building scenarios and how to engage others within the organisation, as well as clearly communicating the scenario planning process or findings.
This programme is suitable for both individual participants and teams with some experience in strategy, planning and leadership roles and uses a comprehensive approach to help map future scenarios crucial to understanding resource implications for the organisation. Participants attend from business, government, NGO’s, academia, professional bodies, and inter-governmental organizations.
Improve your scenario thinking and practice
The programme begins by looking at why one would engage in scenario planning (and where it is not advisable to do so); and provides an overview of the origin and evolution of scenario work and scenario thinking since WW2. Midway through the programme, participants learn the different ways in which scenario thinking can be articulated methodologically, and receive guidance in developing these scenarios. The final part of the programme examines how the outputs of scenario work act as inputs into the practices for the communities whose work they support.
Action Learning through 'live' cases and the exchange of real world experiences
Building on the active contribution of all participants, faculty encourage practical learning in the development of actual scenarios relating to ‘live’ real-world cases. ‘Live’ case studies require participants to work together using a situation from the client, culminating in a presentation to the client on a variety of scenarios they could pursue. Discussions are particularly enriched by an international classroom of participants, who come from large and small organisations in the public sector, private firms and corporations, and non-government organisations world-wide.
Oxford briefings
During the programme participants engage with a series of Oxford briefings from top scholars from the University and experienced scenario practitioners. These help participants to reflect on existing assumptions and to open up their minds to appreciation of changes in the wider environment in which they operate.
Questions you will address during the programme include:
- What can we influence in the context or our organisation and what will most influence us/our success in the future?
- How do scenarios and forecasting relate to each other?
- What roles do past and future play in present decision-making?
- What is the relationship between strategic planning and scenarios?
- How do I design a fit-for-purpose scenario intervention?
- Who does what in scenario practice?
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"I find myself constantly referring colleagues to Oxford Scenario training materials whenever we embark on strategic planning exercises... I found it meshed fully with my own agenda and fulfilled my aspirations, both individually and organisationally."
Policy Advisor, UNDP Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa |