Global Learning for Operational Leaders
Course PSM-012
Tools and Techniques for Developing Strategic Foresight
Strategic foresight helps organizations anticipate change, identify emerging opportunities, manage uncertainty, and prep... The outline covers Foundations of Futures Studies, Futures Thinking and Alternative Futures, Sce...
Introduction
Course overview
Why Attend
Strategic foresight helps organizations anticipate change, identify emerging opportunities, manage uncertainty, and prepare for future challenges. In a rapidly changing environment, leaders need practical tools to think ahead and make informed long-term decisions. This course equips participants with proven methods to scan trends, explore scenarios, and build future-ready strategies.
Course Methodology
This course uses an interactive and practical approach through presentations, case studies, group discussions, scenario exercises, trend analysis workshops, foresight tools, and real workplace examples.
Course Objectives
- Understand the principles of strategic foresight
- Identify trends, risks, and future opportunities
- Apply environmental scanning techniques
- Use scenario planning for decision-making
- Analyze uncertainty and possible futures
- Build future-focused strategies
- Improve strategic thinking and innovation
- Develop a practical foresight action plan
Target Audience
- Strategy Professionals
- Senior Managers
- Business Leaders
- Planning Managers
- Innovation Teams
- Government and Public Sector Professionals
- Anyone involved in long-term planning and decision-making
Target Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Trend Analysis
- Scenario Planning
- Risk Assessment
- Innovation Management
- Decision-Making
- Environmental Scanning
- Future Planning
What you will achieve
Learning objectives
- Understand the principles of strategic foresight
- Identify trends, risks, and future opportunities
- Apply environmental scanning techniques
- Use scenario planning for decision-making
- Analyze uncertainty and possible futures
- Build future-focused strategies
- Improve strategic thinking and innovation
- Develop a practical foresight action plan
Who should attend
Target audience
- Strategy Professionals
- Senior Managers
- Business Leaders
- Planning Managers
- Innovation Teams
- Government and Public Sector Professionals
- Anyone involved in long-term planning and decision-making
- Target Competencies
Methodology
Learning approach
- This course uses an interactive and practical approach through presentations, case studies, group discussions, scenario exercises, trend analysis workshops, foresight tools, and real workplace examples.
Course content
Five focused days of learning and application
Day 1
Foundations of Futures Studies
- Foundations of futures studies
- History of future studies
- The discipline of futurology
- How companies and governments can use futurology
- Actors in the field
- Current theories and applications
- Introduction to futures thinking
Day 2
Futures Thinking and Alternative Futures
- Characteristics of a futurist perspective
- Change as the norm
- The acceleration of change
- Seeing events as interrelated
- Taking a holistic perspective in viewing change
- Accepting alternative futures
- Distinguishing between possible, probable, and preferable futures
- Importance of short, medium, and long-range planning
- Danger of leaving the future to chance
- Creating the future proactively
Day 3
Scenario Thinking and Foresight Tools
- Scenario thinking concepts
- Scenario approach methods
- Environmental scanning techniques
- Futures wheel applications
- Futures table methods
- Weak signals identification
- Black swans and wild cards
- Applying foresight tools in practice
Day 4
Systems Thinking and Leadership for the Future
- Systems thinking and strategic foresight
- Understanding complexity
- Systemic structure of dynamic and complex wholes
- Methodologies of systems thinking
- Visionary leadership and corporate foresight
- Connection between foresight and strategy process
- Governmental and regional foresight initiatives
Day 5
Managing Change and Sustainable Futures
- Managing for change
- Link between strategic management and futures research
- Using futures studies to effect change and transformation
- Role of leadership in planning for the future
- Using futures studies to manage and mitigate risk
- Changing futures through action
- Global challenges and sustainable futures
- Studying effects of globalization
- Concept of sustainability
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does Tools and Techniques for Developing Strategic Foresight (PSM-012) cover?
This course covers Planning and Strategy Management through a structured five-day outline focused on practical application, discussion, and implementation planning.
When is the next available session?
The next scheduled session starts on 4 - 8 May 2026, with additional classroom dates and mirrored Online / Live options listed in the course schedules section.
Who should attend this course?
Strategy Professionals, Senior Managers, Business Leaders
How can I register for a session?
Use any Register button next to the available course dates to open the participant registration page and submit your booking request for the selected session.
Is this course available online as well as classroom-based?
Yes. The course detail page includes both classroom sessions and Online / Live sessions, with online options aligned to the same course dates for easier planning.
Where are classroom sessions delivered?
Current classroom venues include Amsterdam, London, Munich, Vienna, Barcelona, Paris.
Still Have Questions?
Contact the academy team for course details, delivery options, and delegate guidance.
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