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Why Attend
The world is rapidly changing driven by technology, globalization, and the increasing interdependence between countries and cultures. Since the world of the future, where will be living in, will be significantly different from today’s, it is critical for governments, organizations, and leaders to better understand how future scenarios will be shaped. Those capable of examining possible, probable and desirable futures can capitalize on more opportunities and find better ways to positively influence the future that is being created today.
In this course, attendees will build up their knowledge and skills in futures studies in a visionary and futures-oriented way. They will also learn to conceptualize reality and events using a systematic approach to analyze developments and decision-making processes in the light of global change.
Course Methodology
This course relies on the use of interactive case studies to demonstrate the different components of futures studies. In addition, this course utilizes individual debriefs, group discussions, role-playing scenarios, videos, and presentations.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Explain how companies and governments can use the study of futurology
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Distinguish between possible, probable and preferable futures
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Apply scenario thinking using the futures wheel and environmental scanning
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Recognize the connection between the foresight and strategy process
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Use futures studies to manage and mitigate risk
Target Audience
All leaders, managers and senior professionals who are involved in influencing, formulating or supporting the long term planning of their department or organization, as well as those who are interested in learning more about futures studies.
Target Competencies
Creative thinking
Conceptual thinking
Situation analysis
Future thinking
Theoretical problem solving
Systems judgement
Critical thinking
Scenario analysis
Course Outline
Foundations of futures studies
History of future studies
The discipline of futurology
How companies and governments can use futurology
Actors in the field
Current theories and applications
Futures thinking
Characteristics of a futurist perspective
Change as the norm
The acceleration of change
Seeing events as interrelated
Taking a holistic perspective in viewing change
Accepting alternative futures
Distinguishing between different futures
Possible futures
Probable futures
Preferable futures
The importance of short, medium, and long-range planning
The danger of leaving the future to chance
Creating the future
Scenario thinking
Scenario approach
Environmental scanning
Futures wheel
Futures table
Weak signals
Black swans and wild cards
Systems thinking and strategic foresight
Understanding complexity
Systemic structure of dynamic and complex wholes
Methodologies of systems thinking
Visionary leadership and corporate foresight
The connection between foresight and strategy process
Governmental and regional foresight
Managing for change
The link between strategic management and futures research
Using futures studies to effect change and transformation
The role of leadership in planning for the future
Using futures studies to manage and mitigate risk
Changing futures
Futures methods in practice
Connecting various futures studies methods and theoretical thinking
Global challenges
Sustainable futures
Studying and evaluating effects of globalization
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