Participatory Scenario Planning

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Students work with a case organisation to develop scenarios and their implications for decision-making. Course involves lectures, peer-to-peer discussion, in-class workshops, course readings, team writing the group report; and individual writing. Class sessions,

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to design and carry out a small-scale scenario planning project to meet real-world needs. They will be able to identify the elements of scenario methods, compare and evaluate different scenario-based approaches. They will learn how to work in multi-disciplinary teams to carry out a participatory ‘futuring’ process. Students will gain experience and confidence in working with a case organization.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Scenarios are one of the best-known futures studies methods and are used by SMEs, large corporations, regions, thirdsector organizations, and international bodies to consider alternative futures and illuminate new ways forward. This course introduces concepts, methods, and practices of making and utilising scenarios. Students will learn about scenario thinking, its history, and variations of approaches. The course is formatted as an intensive ‘learn by doing’ participatory process in which students work in teams to construct and analyze scenarios for a selected case organization. Students will deepen their understanding of the ‘classic’ two-axes, four-quadrant approach to scenario building. Students will learn how to utilise environmental scanning, the impact/uncertainty matrix and PESTEC (Political, Ecological, Social, Technology, Economic, Cultural) framework for alternative futures.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 100.0%

Bibliography

Required readings: Kahane, Adam (2012) Transformative Scenario Planning: Working Together to Change the Future.

(Chapter 8) Ralston & Wilson (2006) The scenario planning handbook (Part 1: Chapters 1-3; Part 2: Chapters 5-7; Part 3: Chapters 11-13; Part 4 Chapters 15-18) Schwartz (2007) The art of the long view. (Introduction, Pathfinder’s tale, Scenario-building animal, Creating Scenario Building Blocks, Appendix.) Van Der Hejden, Kees (2005) Scenarios: The art of strategic conversation. (Part 1 & Part 2.)

Optional readings: Scenarios, in: Millennium project – Futures Research Methodology V3.0 CD. Kahane, Adam (2017)

Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don't Agree with or Like or Trust. Other optional readings as recommended by lecturers.