Foresight.
/ˈfɔː(r)ˌsaɪt/
THE ABILITY TO PREDICT OR THE ACTION OF
PREDICTING WHAT WILL HAPPEN OR BE NEEDED
IN THE FUTURE.
Look into the unfolding future; not to predict, but to illuminate unfolding patterns in the ‘landscape’ within which your organization will operate. We help you improve your preparedness for change – informing both long-term transformation and immediate priorities.
Systems Thinking and Sustainability Literacy
How can systems thinking and sustainability science improve our understanding of the
unfolding future for our organization or project?
Arm your teams and organizations with an enhanced understanding of socio-ecological systems and principles for long-term success. While ‘prediction’ in the conventional sense is a ‘fool’s game’ there are some things that can be done to better prepare for the future. Sustainable futures will need to be grounded in the realities of place and the larger unfolding socio-ecological, social and economic systems. We distill out core issues and long-term trends, including from related concepts like resilience and regeneration to help the systems, science, strategies and standards make sense… Including making sense of the alphabet soup of sustainability standards and frameworks (e.g. SDGs, FSSD, IFRS, ISSB, ESG, GRI, CDP, SASB, etc.).
Community Engagement
What is needed, here?
Using a structured interview process with diverse stakeholders and community members, distill a place-based and ‘place-sourced’ shared understanding of ‘what is’ and what is unfolding. Through inquiry, hosting, engaging and participating with people of a given place or organization, we help inform and facilitate meaningful dialogue to rediscover place, major trends, and future options.
Envisioning a Desired Future
How can we empower places and communities as catalysts and leaders of positive change?
Through genuine engagement, we help individuals, teams and communities envision and prioritize key elements of their desired futures, but not all the details. Guided by basic sustainability principles, we use scenarios to test future options, set priorities and learn about alternative futures. Discovered values, purpose, principles and strategic goals provide clear strategic direction, but not prescription – there must be room for creativity and adaptation along the way!
Key Services – Foresight:
- Strategic sustainability scans to improve sustainability literacy and identify systemic trends, emerging issues, risks and opportunities.
- Context reviews: synthesis of current practices (e.g. through Appreciative Inquiry).
- Insight reports: alternative scenarios and imaginaries (co-created and considering likely consequences).
For more services, refer to Our Services. >>