Futures outcomesThis is a featured page

OutcomesOutputs
Programs or projects typically deliver a combination of all or some of the following:
  • Quick, initial assessment of the issue under study
  • Clear definition of the key question(s) to be answered derived from the initial, quick assessment
  • Horizon Scan for likely upcoming political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental changes
  • Exercises in conducting breakout thinking beyond today’s accepted paradigms
  • Scenario plans of potential futures
  • Competitor and sectoral analysis
  • Stakeholder mindsets (surveys of desires, attitudes, and behaviours)
  • Organization critique of competitive position
  • Plausible responses
  • Agreed visions, values, and strategies including policy recommendations
  • Action plans and roadmaps
  • New higher order understanding and better questions
Scoping considerations

Cautionary principles
However, programs and projects are not a panacea to solve all problems. Caution should be exercised when:
  • No clear, precise, and agreed scope can be established
  • No possibility of acting on the results exists
  • Appropriate key stakeholders will not engage
  • No champions exist
  • Adequate human and budgetary resources are not available
  • Profound disagreements make consensus impossible
  • The work seemingly duplicates others' efforts
  • There is limited or no possible inter-disciplinary approach
Overnight success with beginning a program or project is unlikely though not impossible. Depending on the program or project, many stakeholders may need to be engaged in understanding the concepts and benefits of using Foresight to advantage and the role they should best play in its creation.

Preparation essential
Good preparation through scoping and groundwork is therefore essential, particularly if the stakeholders are new to the concepts, uses, and benefits.

If, after considering all the above, a program or project is the best approach then the next step is to begin scoping in earnest.

Further Reference
Next: Scoping Futures Back: Future Assumptions To: Shaping Tomorrow

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sunfirejewels 		Latest page update: made by sunfirejewels , Apr 19 2009, 7:42 PM EDT (about this update About This Update sunfirejewels Edited by sunfirejewels

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