Foresight and Strategic Scenario Planning Training Course: Enabling Boards To Anticipate Shifts In Industry, Regulation, And Economy

Introduction

In an era defined by unprecedented volatility and rapid transformation, the ability of a board to anticipate future shifts in industry, regulation, and the broader economy is paramount to an organization's sustained success. Traditional strategic planning, often reliant on extrapolating past trends, is no longer sufficient to navigate the complex uncertainties of today's global landscape. This 5-day comprehensive training course empowers board members and senior executives with the critical skills and methodologies of strategic foresight and scenario planning, enabling them to move beyond reactive decision-making and proactively shape their organization's future. By developing a deeper understanding of emerging trends, critical uncertainties, and plausible future scenarios, boards can cultivate resilience, identify untapped opportunities, and mitigate potential risks before they materialize.

This intensive program provides practical tools and frameworks for boards to engage in robust discussions about the long-term future, challenging assumptions and fostering a culture of strategic agility. Participants will learn to identify weak signals of change, construct compelling future narratives, and stress-test current strategies against a range of potential disruptions. The course emphasizes collaborative learning, equipping boards with the collective foresight necessary to make informed decisions that safeguard shareholder value, drive innovation, and ensure the organization's relevance and prosperity in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

  • Board Members
  • Non-Executive Directors
  • C-Suite Executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CRO)
  • Heads of Strategy, Innovation, and Business Development
  • Senior Leaders responsible for long-term planning and risk management

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental concepts of strategic foresight and scenario planning.
  • Identify and analyze key drivers of change and critical uncertainties impacting their industry and organization.
  • Develop plausible future scenarios to inform strategic decision-making.
  • Integrate foresight and scenario planning into the board's existing governance and strategic processes.
  • Enhance their ability to lead proactive discussions about long-term risks and opportunities.

Course Modules:

  1. Introduction to Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning
  • Defining foresight and its importance in board governance.
  • Differentiating foresight from traditional forecasting and strategic planning.
  • Understanding the limitations of single-point predictions in a volatile world.
  • The benefits of adopting a future-back perspective for boards.
  • Case studies illustrating the impact of foresight on organizational resilience and innovation.
  1. Horizon Scanning and Trend Identification
  • Techniques for systematically scanning the external environment for signals of change.
  • Identifying macro trends (STEEPV: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Values).
  • Recognizing weak signals and emerging issues that could become significant.
  • Utilizing tools and frameworks for structured trend analysis.
  • Building a continuous environmental scanning capability within the organization.
  1. Identifying Key Drivers and Critical Uncertainties
  • Distinguishing between predetermined elements and critical uncertainties.
  • Methods for prioritizing drivers of change based on impact and uncertainty.
  • Exploring interconnections and feedback loops between different drivers.
  • Facilitating robust discussions to uncover hidden assumptions about the future.
  • Tools for mapping relationships between key uncertainties.
  1. Scenario Development and Narrative Building
  • Methodologies for constructing plausible and impactful future scenarios.
  • Developing compelling narratives for each scenario.
  • Ensuring scenario diversity to challenge existing mental models.
  • Techniques for visualizing and communicating complex future possibilities.
  • Avoiding common pitfalls and biases in scenario creation.
  1. Applying Scenarios to Strategic Decision-Making
  • Stress-testing current strategies against multiple future scenarios.
  • Identifying robust strategies that perform well across a range of futures.
  • Developing contingent strategies and early warning indicators for each scenario.
  • Integrating scenario insights into capital allocation, M&A, and innovation decisions.
  • Fostering organizational agility and adaptability based on scenario insights.
  1. Regulatory Foresight and Policy Impact Assessment
  • Anticipating shifts in regulatory landscapes and their implications.
  • Understanding the impact of emerging technologies on future regulations.
  • Developing strategies for proactive engagement with policymakers and regulators.
  • Assessing geopolitical risks and their influence on global regulatory environments.
  • Case studies of regulatory changes driving or disrupting industries.
  1. Economic Foresight and Market Dynamics
  • Understanding macroeconomic trends and their potential future trajectories.
  • Analyzing market disruptions, competitive shifts, and new business models.
  • Identifying potential economic shocks and their impact on the organization.
  • Leveraging economic indicators and predictive analytics in board discussions.
  • Developing financial resilience strategies for various economic futures.
  1. Embedding Foresight into Board Governance
  • Structuring board discussions to incorporate foresight and scenario planning.
  • Cultivating a "futures-oriented" mindset within the boardroom.
  • The role of board committees in overseeing foresight initiatives.
  • Integrating foresight into enterprise risk management frameworks.
  • Continuous learning and development for boards in an era of accelerating change.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Foresight And Strategic Scenario Planning Training Course: Enabling Boards To Anticipate Shifts In Industry, Regulation, And Economy in Comoros
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