General Information
Promotional Video
Unavailable
Target Audience
Future business leaders who are interested in how to think innovatively beyond solutions based on projections of past data. Students interested in Business Design, social innovation and strategy as well as those eager to explore more speculative approaches to strategic innovation will find this course valuable. Business Design Fundamentals is strongly recommended.
Format
2-hour studio class –introductory theory, applied practice, and team-based project work
Course Mission
This course is aimed at students with prior experience or coursework with business design and/or strategic innovation, and those interested in applying new ways of thinking to problem solving and decision-making. The learning objectives are
- Develop a foundational understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the foresigh discipline;
- Develop a working fluency with a broad set of futures tools and methods;
- Learn and practice how to apply Horizon Scanning, Drivers Mapping, Critical Uncertainties and Future Scenarios to a case-based industry challenge;
- Learn how Foresight and Futures Thinking have been applied to solve a broad range of multi-sector business design and innovation challenges.
Course Scope
Students will learn the fundamentals, methods and application of Futures Thinking (when, why, and how it is practiced), and build an in-depth understanding about the practice of Foresight in the context of business design, including real-world cases and in-class presentations by practitioners. After being introduced to the basic principles and process of Futures Thinking, students will engage in an applied, futures-focused case-based project. This project will allow students to apply a series of foresight tools to a business challenge, and explore how future thinking can shape strategy and decision-making in practice
Evaluation and Grade Distribution
| Component | Due Date | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Participation/Discussions (Individual; including 5% Team 360) | Ongoing | 20% |
| Discussion Comments/Reflections (5 x 5%) | Ongoing | 25% |
| Horizon Scan Group Assignment | Class 4 | 15% |
| Driver Mapping Group Assignment | Class 7 | 10% |
| Scenarios and Recommendations Group Report | After Class 12 | 15% |
| Final Video Reflection (Individual) | After Class 12 | 15% |
Required Resources
Will be supplied on Quercus.