Scenario Planning
Purpose
Prepare for multiple futures rather than predicting one
How to Use
1. Define the focal question: what is the key decision or uncertainty you are planning around (5-15 year horizon)? 2. Identify the key driving forces (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal). 3. Rank forces by importance and uncertainty. 4. Select the two most uncertain and most important forces -- these become the axes of a 2x2 matrix. 5. Name and develop four plausible scenarios in the quadrants. 6. Test your current strategy against each scenario: where is it robust? Where does it break down? 7. Identify early warning indicators for each scenario.
Created by Pierre Wack / Royal Dutch Shell (popularised); Herman Kahn (originated)
When to Use
This tool is suited to the following coaching and facilitation contexts:
| Context | Relevant |
|---|---|
| Individual Coaching | |
| Team Coaching | |
| Leadership Development | |
| Facilitation / Workshop | |
| Online / Virtual |