An Interactive 5-Day Training Course
Transformative Scenario Planning
Preparing for and Changing the Future
Course Overview
The increasingly complex economic, political and social environment in which most organizations now operate is placing a huge demand on their planning and leadership capability. The standard assumption is that we cannot predict or influence the future – merely adapt to it. As a result only about 3% of organizations bother to use scenario planning as an integral part of their strategic thinking and strategic planning. This failure to use scenario planning not only results in poor strategies and poor performance but also fails to identify and address problems and challenges that can seriously limit and ultimately destroy an organization or a society.
This training course covers a robust approach to planning for the future called ‘Transformative Scenario Planning’ that not only identifies a range of possible futures but also sets out to change the future by influencing systems, structures and processes around us and to do so in a collaborative and holistic manner.
This training course on Transformative Scenario Planning will address all of these areas by covering the relevant background information and models and providing the powerful practical skills required to negotiate the five key phases of scenario planning. By applying this proven approach delegates will be able to anticipate and plan for a range of likely possible futures that might well impact their organizations and so enjoy a sustainable lead over their private sector or public service competitors.
This GLOMACS training course on Transformative Scenario Planning will combine imagination with robust analysis and highlight how to:
- Assemble a scenario planning team that represents the whole system your organization is operating within
- Become aware of and observe what is happening in and around your organization
- Design and deliver detailed, believable, consequential stories about what could happen in the future
- Identify what can and must be done to mould to or proactively influence the system
- Plan and act to adapt to – and transform – structures, processes and players in the system
Training Outline
DAY 1: The Origins and Nature of Scenario Planning
- Origins of Scenario Planning
- What Scenario Planning is and When to use it
- The Shortcomings of Traditional Strategic Management Approaches
- How Scenario Planning Works
- An Overview of the Phases of the Process and the Timescales Involved
Assembling a Team that Represents the Whole System
- Choosing a ‘Convening Team’
- Assembling a ‘Plausible Future’ vs. a ‘Delphi’ Panel that both Represent the Whole System
- Selecting Key Members / Actors for the Panel
- Allowing Time for the Panel to (a) transform their understandings, relationships, and intentions (Phases 1 to 4) and (b) adapt to and transform the system (Phase 5)
- Understanding Your Own and Other’s biases in Thinking, Planning and Communicating
DAY 2: Becoming Aware of and Observing What is Happening
- Enabling the Panel to Examine the Current Reality in and Around the Overall System
- Determining the Driving Forces of the System: Events, Patterns, Trends and Structures / Processes
- Creating a Space that Enables Trust, Safety, Autonomy, Re-perceiving and Dialogue
- Using Facilitation to Exploit Divergent, Emergent and Convergent Thinking
- Deciding on ‘Learning Journeys’ / Field Visits, White Papers, Researchers and ‘Remarkable Persons’
- Listing ‘Certainties’ and ‘Uncertainties’ in and Around the System
DAY 3: Designing and Telling Stories about What could Happen
- Determining Two Major Uncertainties / Dimensional Axes
- Designing Four Scenarios around the Two Uncertainties using both Deductive and Inductive Thinking
- Conceiving Non-obvious Scenarios using Inductive Thinking
- Transforming the Final Four Scenarios into Logical, Consequential Stories
- Finding Metaphors, Images and Titles for each Scenario
- Documenting the Scenarios to Facilitate Compelling Communication using Different Media
DAY 4: Identifying What Can and Must be Done
- Looking at the Scenarios to Provide Direction: Adapting to and Influencing / Transforming the System
- Appreciating What can be done alone and also through Partnerships
- Discovering What can and must be done based upon What could happen
- Pausing, Reflecting and Making meaning of both Adaptive and Transformative Meanings and Implications
- Using a ‘Reverse SWOT’ in Adaptive Stance; using Roles, Responsibilities and Obligations in Transformative Stance
- Describing Future ‘Contexts’ and Defining their ‘Triggers’, ‘Early Warning Indicators’ and Appropriate ‘Planned Responses’
DAY 5: Planning and Acting to Adapt to and Transform the System
- Transforming the Scenarios to Actions: Goals / Policies, Objectives, Programs, Initiatives / Projects, Structures / Processes, Legislation, etc.
- Using the Insights into Possible Opportunities, Risks and Choices to Frame your Service Provision and Activities
- Leveraging Alliances and Partnerships to Work in New Ways
- Engaging with the World as a Collective Panel or Independently with more Aligned, Understandings, Insights, Relationships, Intentions and Wisdom
- Using Meetings, Briefings, Workshops, the Media (broadcast and social) and Spinoff Initiatives
- Utilising the Difference between Simply Distributing vs. Disseminating the Panel’s Outputs using Inspired Actors
Certificates
- On successful completion of this training course, GLOMACS Certificate will be awarded to the delegates
- Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE) : In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsor, one CPE credit is granted per 50 minutes of attendance
Accreditation
GLOMACS is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. NASBA have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.
All Training Seminars delivered by GLOMACS by default are eligible for CPE Credit.
Providers and Associations
About Saudi Glomacs
At Saudi GLOMACS, we specialize in delivering world-class training courses in Saudi Arabia and across various international locations. Our training courses are tailored to meet the unique demands of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, focusing on empowering Saudi citizens and enhancing workforce skills. We offer diverse courses spanning leadership, management, engineering, and technical disciplines to cultivate expertise and drive professional growth. Our flexible learning options—whether in-person, online, or in-house—ensure accessibility and convenience for individuals and organizations alike.
With over 30+ years of experience through the GLOMACS global network, we are committed to delivering innovative, results-driven training solutions. Our expert instructors combine industry knowledge with dynamic teaching methods, fostering practical skill development and long-term career success. By choosing Saudi GLOMACS, you're investing in personal excellence and contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable economic growth and vision-driven transformation.
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