Designing high impact foresight training: the learning journey

Written by Peter Glenday

In September, we’ll be kicking off our next 10-week virtual training course in strategic foresight. Now 18 months into the global pandemic, our learning practice has made the transition from focusing on the flagship SOIF retreat to more virtual learning, as well as responding to increased demand for tailored experiences for organisations or communities.

Through this, we’ve held on to our core principles on how to design high impact foresight training, centred on the learning journey, which has always been a central part of our design process at SOIF.

But we’ve also been learning to realise these principles in new ways.

1.Designing a structured journey around your learning

The journey starts with your learning and development. If we know what you or your team needs and hopes to get out of the training, your learning goals, and the existing capabilities and barriers that exist within your organisation or community, then we can better support you through your journey. We can tailor and design a more impactful learning programme.

In an online environment the journey needs to change, but the core elements remain.

2. Learning virtually over time

Spreading training over a longer time period is more effective than a one-off session of the same duration, and gives participants a better learning experience.

We already knew the value of pacing interaction during our retreats, building in time for helping people engage creatively and analytically over the five days, and building in time for learning, reflection, inspiration and networking.

In a face-to-face environment it can be easier to switch off and disconnect.

When learning virtually, there is a risk of fatigue, and it can be harder to carve out the space and time to learn without distractions.

We have designed our virtual training as a 10-week modular course that supports you to learn and try out innovative and practical foresight tools in a safe environment, supported through live sessions with expert faculty and guests.

3. Teaching methodology

Our teaching philosophy combines different modes — expert training, practical sessions, and facilitated reflection and learning discussions. This gives practical experience as well as applied theory.

• Exploration and learning takes a long time. While some tools are intuitive and can be learnt from a toolkit, others take time to master. You learn from trying, reflecting on the approach and experience, supported by SOIF faculty and guests
• Online activities need to be very directed to support this learning in a virtual environment
• They also need to be designed for the lowest possible technology
• Asynchronous working and informal sessions where you can connect, share and explore your shared interests can really help expand your community of practice, becoming part of a wider community of interest.

4. Content

Foresight is more than just research and analysis skills, so we deliver a holistic programme of content. From effective scoping, through to how to deliver foresight products that have impact with stakeholders.

Our learning focuses on foresight with impact. We build your skills in the craft of good foresight, as well as your capacity to use futures for better decision-making. Our courses are designed to give you the tools and approaches you need to start to apply foresight from day one.

• Need to understand the mindset, approach, opportunities as well as tools
• We teach a structured four-stage approach to foresight that provides the scaffolding
• We focus on scoping and integrating futures. The importance of these stages is often something that learners get only on reflection
• A focus on capability— harnessing the power of foresight in your organisation to improve decision-making

5. Post-engagement

We know that the journey doesn’t end when you go back to the office. Any investment in foresight training is multiplied many times over if it’s combined with considered evaluation, and ideally targeted follow-on mentoring and ongoing learning support.

While we design our courses to ensure you return to your work ready to build future-ready organisations, we also support you to continue your personal and professional development.

On our virtual training we work with an executive coach to support you and your cohort through a group coaching programme to apply your learning in a safe environment.

Our Strategic Foresight Programme, endorsed by ILM, is a 3–6 month learning experience that recognises your continued development as a strategic foresight practitioner.

You also join the SOIF alumni community — an international network of practitioners in policy, strategy and innovation — and will be invited to regular catch up events.