14.1 Scenario Planning: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:56, 11 June 2026

With the future being uncertain, scenario planning offers a systematic way to imagine and plan for all possible contingencies. This helps one avoid putting all the eggs in one basket when making an important decision.

The Lesson in Context

We often face uncertainty when making future decisions. The scenario planning technique taught in this lesson provides a systematic way to consider a wider range of future possibilities, even ones that may be somewhat unlikely. This helps the planner plan for contingencies and avoid putting all their eggs in one basket.

Earlier Lessons

3.1 Probabilistic Reasoning

Future predictions always come with some level of uncertainty. Thus, one should be open to the possibility that the most likely future scenario does not happen. Scenario planning acknowledges this and emphasizes the importance of considering multiple possible futures.

8.1 Orders of Understanding

When determining what would be first, second, or higher order in our model, we often also need to think about the scope of what we're able to intervene on. In this regard, it's often helpful to take a step back and really think about what we're assuming will remain constant and what might change. In scenario planning, we take this one step further and intentionally try to be as creative as possible about what things that we might otherwise take for granted could change and what the possible consequences of those changes might be.
We usually want to put higher order factors on our scenario planning axes, to make sure we are considering the most important variables for possible futures.

Takeaways

After this lesson, students should

Avoid assuming the future will continue in one direction, and be ready to consider a variety of possible futures when planning.
Identify problems which could be informed by scenario planning.
Use scenario planning to inform reasoning about major decisions, including:
1. Identifying important & uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary.
2. Identifying the pros and cons of each quadrant of possibility.
3. Identifying how decisions made now might affect each quadrant.

Scenario Planning

A mode of problem solving which involves considering two important and uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary, imagining what each possible quadrant might look like, and considering how decisions made now will affect the likelihood and desirability of each quadrant.

Drivers

The drivers are the two axes used in a scenario planning plot. They should have the following features:

Drivers are orthogonal (independent of each other).
Drivers are uncertain (you don't know in advance what quadrant the future will be in).
Drivers are relevant to the question being addressed.

After this lesson, students should

Attitudes
1. Avoid assuming the future will continue in one direction, and be ready to consider a variety of possible futures when planning.
Concept Acquisition
1. Scenario Planning: A mode of problem solving which involves considering two important and uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary, imagining what each possible quadrant might look like, and considering how decisions made now will affect the likelihood and desirability of each quadrant.
Concept Application
1. Identify problems which could be informed by scenario planning.
2. Use scenario planning to inform reasoning about major decisions, including:
  1. Identifying important & uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary.
  2. Identifying the pros and cons of each quadrant of possibility.
  3. Identifying how decisions made now might affect each quadrant.

Additional Content

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-{{Navbox}}
+{{Cover|14.1 Scenario Planning}}
-== Useful Links ==
+With the future being uncertain, scenario planning offers a systematic way to imagine and plan for all possible contingencies. This helps one avoid putting all the eggs in one basket when making an important decision.
-* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DX9DCvhXjXyt5IRCStyCaRRUxDEqpjgMaeA2ENmkOTY/edit?usp=sharing Three Column Overview of the Week]
+== The Lesson in Context ==
-* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mXOeLmuAkxVEdwn1pe3xulJS4RzvddvYEoR2SVue8ZI/edit?usp=drivesdk Lesson Slides (2023 Master)]
-* [https://sensesensibilityscience.berkeley.edu/topic/26 Website Page]
-=== Readings and Assignments ===
+<!-- Always begin section with a description of this lesson in relation to the course as a whole. -->
+We often face uncertainty when making future decisions. The scenario planning technique taught in this lesson provides a systematic way to consider a wider range of future possibilities, even ones that may be somewhat unlikely. This helps the planner plan for contingencies and avoid putting all their eggs in one basket.
+<!-- Expandable section relating this lesson to other lessons. -->
+{{Expand|Relation to Other Lessons|
+'''Earlier Lessons'''
+{{ContextLesson|3.1 Probabilistic Reasoning}}
+{{ContextRelation|Future predictions always come with some level of uncertainty. Thus, one should be open to the possibility that the most likely future scenario does not happen. Scenario planning acknowledges this and emphasizes the importance of considering multiple possible futures.}}
+{{ContextLesson|8.1 Orders of Understanding}}
+{{ContextRelation|When determining what would be first, second, or higher order in our model, we often also need to think about the scope of what we're able to intervene on. In this regard, it's often helpful to take a step back and really think about what we're assuming will remain constant and what might change. In scenario planning, we take this one step further and intentionally try to be as creative as possible about what things that we might otherwise take for granted could change and what the possible consequences of those changes might be.}}
+{{ContextRelation|We usually want to put higher order factors on our scenario planning axes, to make sure we are considering the most important variables for possible futures.}}
+}}
+== Takeaways ==
-* [https://app.playpos.it/player_v2?type=share&bulb_id=1239415&lms_launch=false PlayPosit Video]
+<tabber>
-* [[:File:The Art of the Long View Steps to Developing Scenarios - Schwartz.pdf|The Art of the Long View]]
-== Learning Goals ==
+|-|Learning Goals=
 After this lesson, students should
-# Avoid assuming the future will continue in one direction, and be ready to consider a variety of possible futures when planning.
+<!-- Learning goals are written as a numbered list. -->
+# Avoid assuming the future will continue in one direction, and be ready to consider a variety of possible futures when planning.
 # Identify problems which could be informed by scenario planning.
 # Use scenario planning to inform reasoning about major decisions, including:
 ## Identifying important & uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary.
 ## Identifying the pros and cons of each quadrant of possibility.
 ## Identifying how decisions made now might affect each quadrant.
-=== Definitions ===
+|-|Definitions=
-* '''Scenario Planning'''
+<!-- Definitions must be written with the Definition and Subdefinition templates. The first Definition should have the "first=yes" flag at the end. -->
-*: A mode of problem solving which involves considering two important and uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary, imagining what each possible quadrant might look like, and considering how decisions made now will affect the likelihood and desirability of each quadrant.
+{{Definition|Scenario Planning|A mode of problem solving which involves considering two important and uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary, imagining what each possible quadrant might look like, and considering how decisions made now will affect the likelihood and desirability of each quadrant.|first=yes}}
-* '''Drivers'''
+{{Definition|Drivers|The drivers are the two axes used in a scenario planning plot. They should have the following features:
-*: The drivers are the two axes used in a scenario planning plot. They should have the following features:
+:* Drivers are orthogonal (independent of each other).
-*:* Drivers are orthogonal (independent of each other).
+:* Drivers are uncertain (you don't know in advance what quadrant the future will be in).
-*:* Drivers are uncertain (you don't know in advance what quadrant the future will be in).
+:* Drivers are relevant to the question being addressed.}}
-*:* Drivers are relevant to the question being addressed.
+<br />
-=== Examples ===
+|-|Expanded Learning Goals=
-* The future of cruises in 2021. See [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mXOeLmuAkxVEdwn1pe3xulJS4RzvddvYEoR2SVue8ZI/edit#slide=id.g21ea992a1a1_0_24 the slides] for more details.
+After this lesson, students should
+# Attitudes
-== Context ==
+## Avoid assuming the future will continue in one direction, and be ready to consider a variety of possible futures when planning.
+# Concept Acquisition
-We often face uncertainty when making future decisions. The scenario planning technique taught in this lesson provides a systematic way to consider a wider range of future possibilities, even ones that may be somewhat unlikely. This helps the planner plan for contingencies and avoid putting all their eggs in one basket.
+## '''Scenario Planning:''' A mode of problem solving which involves considering two important and uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary, imagining what each possible quadrant might look like, and considering how decisions made now will affect the likelihood and desirability of each quadrant.
+# Concept Application
-=== Before ===
+## Identify problems which could be informed by scenario planning.
+## Use scenario planning to inform reasoning about major decisions, including:
-: '''[[3.1 Probabilistic Reasoning]]'''
+### Identifying important & uncertain dimensions along which the future might vary.
-:* Future predictions always come with some level of uncertainty. Thus, one should be open to the possibility that the most likely future scenario does not happen. Scenario planning acknowledges this and emphasizes the importance of considering multiple possible futures.
+### Identifying the pros and cons of each quadrant of possibility.
+### Identifying how decisions made now might affect each quadrant.
-: '''[[8.1 Orders of Understanding]]'''
-:* When determining what would be first, second, or higher order in our model, we often also need to think about the scope of what we're able to intervene on. In this regard, it's often helpful to take a step back and really think about what we're assuming will remain constant and what might change. In scenario planning, we take this one step further and intentionally try to be as creative as possible about what things that we might otherwise take for granted could change and what the possible consequences of those changes might be.
-:* We usually want to put higher order factors on our scenario planning axes, to make sure we are considering the most important variables for possible futures.
-== Recommended Outline ==
-=== Before Class ===
-* Gather all the [[#Materials|materials]] needed to run the [[#Scenario Planning Activity|scenario planning activity]].
-* Review PlayPosit and discussion questions and ask faculty, Gabriel, or Emlen any questions you have.
-=== During Class ===
-* (65 min) The entire class is dedicated to the [[#Scenario Planning Activity|scenario planning activity]].
-* (15 min) This is extra time at the end for the students to ask the GSI anything they like. This could be about the course, the GSI's research, etc.
-=== After Class ===
-* GSI collects all the scenario posters their students made. They will be brought to plenary for the professors and Peter Schwartz to see.
-== Lesson Content ==
-=== Scenario Planning Activity ===
-On large pieces of construction paper, the students will plan scenarios. This is done by drawing two axes to split the paper into four quadrants. The students will pick some "future of ''x''" prompt and explore four possible scenarios of what said ''x'' could look like. To do this, they come up with two drivers that they put on the axes. The drivers should satisfy the following criteria:
-* Drivers are orthogonal (independent of each other)
-* Drivers are uncertain (you don't know in advance what quadrant the future will be in)
-* Drivers are relevant to the question being addressed.
-The scenarios involve coming up with creative headlines and pictures for the imagined futures.
-==== Motivation ====
-We've talked a lot about how research is done and how to turn that into policy decisions. But, how do you come up with those research agendas and policy decisions in the first place? And how do you ensure that those research and policy avenues are actually relevant to what the future ends up being? How do we avoid falling victim to confirmation bias in our predictions of the future?
-==== Materials ====
-* At least six sheets of large poster/construction paper
-* Six sets of colored markers
-==== Possible Futures ====
-These are some sample "future of ''x''" prompts that the students can choose from.
-* The future of dating
-* The future of entertainment
-* The future of AI and its impact on society
-* The future of humans in space
-* The future of genetic modification
-* The future of transportation
-* The future of democracy
-* The future of demographics
-* The future of work
-==== Instructions ====
-# (5 min) Review scenario planning with the students and explain the activity
-# (3 min) Give the students a chance to pick their "future of ''x''" prompt. They will work in groups of 5.
-# (7 min) Let the students come up with two drivers of change for the topic that have the aforementioned features.
-# (25 min) The students come up with the four scenarios in the four quadrants. They should write down a description of each scenario in its spot. They should also come up with hypothetical newspaper headlines that would come up in that scenario. {{Caution|Encourage the students to be very creative! It's alright if some of the scenarios are a little bit "sci-fi" in flavor.}}
-# (15 min) Have the students go through the discussion questions.
-# (10 min) The groups of students pair up and present their posters to each other.
-==== Discussion Questions ====
-# Are there some quadrants which are more desirable than others? If so, what could we do now to make the more desirable quadrants more likely, or the less desirable quadrants less likely?
-# Our control over which quadrant we end up in is probably limited, especially as individuals. Given that some of the worst quadrants are possible, are there things we could do now to prepare so that the worst quadrants aren't as bad as they might otherwise be? Are there risks/costs to those preparations?
-# How would you know which scenario you're in or headed for? In other words, what are some leading indicators and signposts for each scenario? Are any of them non-obvious? Would you need to conduct a study in order to find them out?
-# What research questions do you want answered in order to predict the consequences of each scenario? Try to design one such study. Use as many course concepts as are relevant.
-== Overflow ==
-=== Changemaker ===
-# {{Changemaker|In Steve Blank's HBR article on lean startups, he discusses how a new methodology has taken foot in the world of startups. Rather than planning out a long term strategy from an office room and trying to stick to it, the lean startup method is centered on the firm being agile and flexible to pivot to new opportunities. In what ways is this method similar to scenario planning? In what ways is this method different from the scenario planning framework proposed by Peter Schwartz in class? Is there a way to adapt the Peter Schwartz framework and integrate it with lean startups?}}
+</tabber>
-# {{Changemaker|The scenario planning model proposed by Peter Schwartz in class is forward looking in the sense that it takes two dimensions and attempts to plot how outcomes might change based on the degree to which these dimensions are true. Simultaneously, one can look at how actions in each quadrant might affect future outcomes. The Theory of Change model from the Changemaker course takes a backwards approach. What is this other approach, how is it different from the scenario planning model, and in what type of situations should you use one over the other?}}
+{{#restricted:{{Private:14.1 Scenario Planning}}}}
+{{NavCard|chapter=Lesson plans|text=All lesson plans|prev=13.2 Deliberative Polling|next=14.2 Wrap Up}}
 [[Category:Lesson plans]]