IMSFInternational Masterclass in Strategic ForesightAnticipate risk and opportunity in a volatile world through Futures Thinking
English
Advanced
Face to Face
Instructor-Led Training
(F2F-ILT)
Virtual
Instructor-Led Training
(V-ILT)
COACHING
& MENTORING
(C&M)
Self-Paced
Learning
(SPL)
Select Date
Download Brochure
Course Overview
Yes, the world is volatile. And the degree of disruption is increasing, in both frequency and severity.
Learn the art and science of Futures Thinking with other senior leaders as you explore the art and science of exploring, imagining and creating the future.
The structure of this exciting programme is designed to optimize your strategic abilities. Based on the renowned programme by Cambridge Univer
Key Takeaways
1
Improved strategic decision-making
2
Clarity on which futures are most likely to emerge
3
Risk anticipation and mitigation
4
Timeous opportunity identification
5
Deeper Strategic insight and strategic foresight as a critical leadership competence
University of Cambridge
This University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) course is delivered in collaboration with GetSmarter, an edX partner. Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll earn a digital certificate of completion from a world-leading sustainability institution, the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
Learners will receive a LEORON certificate of attendance upon the completion of the Face 2 Face Onsite training provided and delivered by LEORON Institute.
The Face 2 Face Onsite Training offered by LEORON is separate and independent from the Online Self-paced Training offered by CISL via edX. CISL and edX are not affiliated or associated with the Face 2 Face Onsite Training provided by LEORON, and LEORON is not affiliated or associated with the Online Self-paced Training provided by CISL.
Learners will receive a LEORON certificate of attendance upon the completion of the Face 2 Face Onsite training provided and delivered by LEORON Institute.
The Face 2 Face Onsite Training offered by LEORON is separate and independent from the Online Self-paced Training offered by CISL via edX. CISL and edX are not affiliated or associated with the Face 2 Face Onsite Training provided by LEORON, and LEORON is not affiliated or associated with the Online Self-paced Training provided by CISL.
Course Outline
Day 1: Futures Thinking as a form of thinking
Why thinking and decision-making are critical to executive success
Forms of decision-making
Key concepts in managing the mind for higher level decision-making
The thinking triangle
Directional thinking
Identifying personal thinking preferences
The link between Futures Thinking, Systems Thinking and innovation
Day 1 establishes the foundation for the learning journey. It exposes leaders to the latest thinking on decision-making and how decisions shape the future. Levels of thinking are elevated.
Leaders become conscious of how multiple futures may both emerge and be created.
Day 2: The future in systems
How to move beyond traditional analysis
Why it is critical to understand the future as an evolving system
How to make decision under conditions of extreme complexity
The risks of traditional thinking for fast-evolving future landscapes
Moving decisions beyond expertise to systems wisdom
Making decisions in multiple systems
The journey continues with a thinking methodology that is becoming critical for leaders in the 21st century: Systems Thinking.
Analysis has dominated for centuries, but a new way of thinking is now possible, as the world becomes increasingly interconnected.
Module 3: Futures methods
How to explore multiple possible futures
Horizon scanning
The futures cone
The futures triangle
Current futures: Possible, plausible, probable and preferable futures
The persona method
The role of paradigms
The sense-making framework
Day 3 deepens understanding of an exciting selection of methods for futures exploration.
Far from simplistic predictions, these methods empower leaders to apply structured approaches to investigate multiple futures.
Day 4: Strategic scenario building
Exactly what is strategic thinking?
The InCOME PRESCRIPTS 51 Framework
Identify critical uncertainties and drivers
Explore ranges of likelihood
Scan for emerging actors and actants
Investigate intersectionality of drivers
Select scenarios for strategic decision-making
This day guides leaders through a step-by-step process of creating a substantial scenario set. They realise the importance of scientific scenario development, as opposed to random guesses and premature predictions.
On this days, they reach critical insights on how scenarios come to life, and how true foresight emerges when decision-making moves beyond traditional analysis and projections.
Day 5: Scenario finalization for strategic alignment and peer refinement
Identify most probable scenarios
Integrate scenarios with strategic direction
Identify scenario path development and evolution
Adjust strategy with probability
The link to Theory of Change
Present scenarios for peer refinement
Graduation!
The final day allows leaders to explore how scenarios identified may integrate with organizational strategy. In this way, foresight become truly ‘strategic’, allowing for higher levels of anticipation of risk and opportunity identification. Theis is the true day of aha-moments as leaders discover the power of strategic foresight for executive decision-making.
Leaders end the programme with a scenario set ready for presentation back at the workplace.