WORKSHOPS
How to Future tools and topics are available as applied workshops, running from Intro Masterclasses for organizations and teams, to single topic modules (Sensing and Scanning, Sensemaking and Mapping, Scenario Development, and Prototyping & Storytelling described below) to custom Masterclasses we co-design with you. These can be offered on-site, as an off-site workshop, or online. Pricing for courses include a copy of HOW TO FUTURE as an accompanying text when published.
Online versions are adapted for more compact time periods, and include elements of online lecture, methods, web-based collaborative exercises, chat and discussion, and offline reading and exercise work. For more information on online courses, including available structures, cost, capacity and technical requirements, contact us.
The HOW TO FUTURE workshop programme is designed to provide a non-expert audience with general knowledge (but not specialty experience) in the areas of strategic foresight and futures, plus applied working knowledge of the key tools used in this field of practice.
HOW TO FUTURE provides:
A common vocabulary to define the tools and methods that can harmonise futures conversations across organisations.
A set of flexible, modifiable tools and methods designed for agile futuring. They are are easy to deploy and simple to use with small or large teams.
Design-process friendly approaches, which help bridge provocative explorations with relevant business cases.
These time-tested exercises and activities provide an opportunity for participants to explore tools and methods which are useful for detection and collection of trends, development of scenarios and creation of future-focused prototypes.
Note: Workshops are geared to organisations and teams, not individuals, at the moment. Minimum course sizes start at 8 participants, and scale to 30. Larger custom workshops can be designed on request.
To discuss costs and booking arrangements, contact Susan Cox-Smith at Changeist.
Skill-Focused Modules
Each module is structured to provide key vocabulary, an overview of relevant tools and methods, and hands-on exercises to put learning into action. Each concludes with a brief focus on next steps to put this new knowledge into action right away.
Each highly interactive module can be organized as a standalone workshop, or in conjunction with other modules. Participants receive all instructional material at the end of the session for internal use.
Module 1: Sensing and Scanning
This module focuses on research skills and tools for collecting insights about the future.
Topics covered include:
Scoping futures explorations — How to frame questions and choose tools.
Scanning and signal collection — Best practices to collect and organize data, evidence and insights as signals of possible futures, including qualitative and quantitative insights, observational research, interviews and more.
Trend taxonomies — How to sort, prioritize and understand relationships among trends.
Module 2: Sensemaking and Mapping
This module focuses on different approaches to yield new understandings from possible futures.
Topics covered include:
Organizing and socializing future insights — Generating trends and drivers, and group sensemaking approaches.
Mapping and clustering for pattern recognition — How to make sense of emerging patterns, map uncertainty and identify key strategic themes. This includes roadmapping and timelines.
Unpacking implications — Understanding 2nd and 3rd level impacts and implications of change.
Module 3: Scenario Development
This module focuses on structuring and stress-testing narratives of possible futures.
Topics covered include:
Understanding applications of scenarios — Understanding when and where scenarios make sense to use.
Different scenario types — Deductive (2x2), Inductive and Four Futures scenario approaches, and when to use them.
Quick scenarios — How to combine patterns and themes into narratives about the future.
Deepening and stress testing — Getting beyond surface scenarios, and exploring implications, personas and opportunities.
Module 4: Prototyping & Storytelling
This module focuses on fabricating and communicating tangible objects and future experiences.
Topics covered include:
Getting from scenarios to "things" — The role of experiences and objects to communicate future narratives for effective engagement.
World-building and rapid prototyping — How to turn narratives into rich stories and artifacts.
Communicating through scenarios and speculative prototypes — How to bring others into your possible future to share and debate insights.