Talk:Alternative approaches in scenario thinking

In September 2009, I completed a one day scenario planning workshop in London for 35 people. Our work related to the changes impacting the London library system. It was a highly productive day for all the participants. They build some useful scenarios but more important, they had a real opportunity to dialogue about the changes that are effecting all aspects of their business model.

People in the workshop took our outline for the day back to their respective libraries and carried out their own scenario planning project with their team. All this is a bit contrary to the "model" of scenario planning as described by many experts. I believe that finding ways to make the scenario planning process more accessible to people, groups and organizations within the constraints of time is critical for practitioners.

Viewing scenario work in a broader context of expanding self and team awareness, experiencing dialogue and exposing mental models is in itself, a useful outcome. I continue to explore ways to make scenario planning more accessible and at the same time, acknowledge the trade offs that may apply.

Rick Torseth