Business Continuity and Crisis Management

Scenario Planning for Strategic Resilience

Scenario planning helps leaders explore plausible futures and test strategies against them. This course covers scenario planning for resilience: identifying driving forces and uncertainties, building scenario frameworks, writing scenario narratives, testing strategies, early warning signals and embedding scenarios in strategic decisions.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Single forecasts often prove wrong. You will learn to prepare for several possible futures.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Scenario building workshops, strategy stress-testing exercises, case studies and facilitation practice.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain scenario planning and its uses
Identify driving forces and critical uncertainties
Build scenario frameworks and narratives
Test strategies against scenarios
Define signposts and early warnings
Embed scenarios in strategic planning

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Strategy and planning professionals
Senior leaders
Risk and resilience managers
Policy makers
Innovation managers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Driver analysis
Scenario building
Strategy testing
Signpost design
Facilitation

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Scenario Thinking

09:00–10:08Forecasts versus scenarios
10:08–11:00Case studies
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Case studies (continued)
11:45–12:53Uses
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Drivers and Uncertainties

09:00–10:08Trend analysis
10:08–11:00Critical uncertainties
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Critical uncertainties (continued)
11:45–12:53Prioritisation
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Building Scenarios

09:00–10:08Scenario frameworks
10:08–11:00Narratives
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Narratives (continued)
11:45–12:53Plausibility
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 4Testing Strategies

09:00–10:08Stress testing
10:08–11:00Robust options
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Robust options (continued)
11:45–12:53Contingency plans
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 5Embedding

09:00–10:08Signposts
10:08–11:00Decision processes
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Decision processes (continued)
11:45–12:53Facilitation
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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