Transcript Futures Toolkit Structure: Discussion Points

FUTURREG 2nd SC Meeting
Thessaloniki, 24 January 2006
Futures Toolkit Structure: Discussion Points
Observatory of Innovation, Cardiff Business
School
Context
 Who is it aimed at? Who are the regional
development users?
 What is it supposed to achieve? What
purpose would the users have of it?
 A full-scale regional Foresight exercise? i.e.
comprehensive region-wide exercise involving
wide range of stakeholders?
 As a tool in developing a new strategy or policy?
 As a tool in change management or
organisational learning?
 To stimulate thinking and debate within target
groups? (e.g. businesses, communities)
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
Context 2
 Delimiting the nature/scope of the
toolkit – a toolkit for applying futures
thinking vs. a toolkit on ‘how to do a
regional Foresight exercise’ (‘Futures’
vs. ‘Foresight’?)
 ‘Market niche’ – how will it be
different to existing tools/guides e.g.
Blueprints, FOREN etc. How can it
build on these experiences?
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
Content
 Tools reports (Scenario building, visionary
management, Delphi, Horizon scanning,
trends analysis)
 Other tools examples (game theory,
forecasting etc)
 Case studies – through regional appraisals
and other relevant examples
 Inputs from other tools, guides and
projects
 Other?
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
User interface
Mediated
Expert leads in all
aspects of toolkit
application
Mentoring/
coaching
Users receives some
expert assistance
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
Autonomous
User applies toolkit
without external
assistance
User interface 2
 Toolkit as a physical publication
 Stepwise, web-based application
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
Example structure
Futures
Context:
introduction
Pathways and motivations
Examples (case studies):
(1), (2) etc
Change
manageme
nt
New
strategy
Toolkit guidance
In pathway/situation x,
suggested tools include
(e.g) (1) horizon
scanning. (2) etc
Other
Experts providing
assistance
Key requirements –
process. Inputs
Stimulate
new
thinking
Implementation outline
Key
questions
Tools and materials
Futures tools reports
Case studies
Etc
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
Summary and action points
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Review of possible web-models (URENIO)
Realistic expectations – 1st priority to produce a toolkit that will be
useful for the workshops and esp. the applications
Simplify where possible to make it useable and used (too
complicated=not used)
Toolkit should start with motivation/needs of the regional
development users
Toolkit niche will be an inter-regional model that can be applied
during the project – and beyond
The toolkit will be tested during the implementation projects; final
toolkit with revisions and evaluation will follow
Tried and tested model – user-friendly hints and links into useful
experiences
Users to provide feedback from applications (compare with
Amazon, Ebay)
Demonstrate networking with other initiatives
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS
Summary (cont)
 Specify what the toolkit does and
what it doesn’t do
 CBS to send second version of
structure/framework to partners;
partners to comment
Futures Toolkit Structure. CBS