📌 Scenario Planning Summary
Scenario planning is a way for organisations or individuals to think ahead by imagining different possible futures. It involves creating several detailed stories or scenarios about what might happen based on current trends and uncertainties. This helps people prepare for a range of possible changes, rather than just making one plan and hoping things go as expected.
🙋🏻♂️ Explain Scenario Planning Simply
Scenario planning is like planning a road trip where you do not know what the weather will be like. You pack clothes for sun, rain, and cold, so you are ready for anything. Instead of guessing what will happen, you prepare for different possibilities so you will not be caught off guard.
📅 How Can it be used?
Scenario planning can help a project team prepare backup plans for different risks and uncertainties that might affect their timeline or resources.
🗺️ Real World Examples
A city government uses scenario planning to prepare for the effects of climate change. They create scenarios for extreme heat, flooding, and drought, then develop action plans for each situation so they can respond quickly and protect residents.
A technology company uses scenario planning before launching a new product. They consider scenarios such as rapid market adoption, strong competition, or supply chain disruptions, and create strategies to handle each situation to ensure the product’s success.
✅ FAQ
What is scenario planning and why is it useful?
Scenario planning is a way to explore different possibilities for the future by imagining various stories about what could happen. It helps people and organisations prepare for surprises instead of being caught off guard. By thinking through a few different futures, you can spot risks and opportunities you might otherwise miss.
How do you create scenarios for planning?
To create scenarios, you start by looking at current trends and things that could change, like technology, politics or the economy. You then build a handful of detailed stories about what might happen if certain things change. These stories are not predictions, but they help you see how you might react if things turn out differently from what you expect.
Can scenario planning help with big decisions?
Yes, scenario planning can be very helpful for big decisions. By considering a range of possible futures, you can make choices that work well in more than one situation. This means you are less likely to be caught out if things change suddenly, and you can feel more confident in your plans.
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