C-11 How to Think Like a Futurist
Wednesday, July 7, 2010, and Thursday, July 8, 2010
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.This course is an intensive treatment of all aspects of studying the future, giving particular attention to the intellectual characteristics and practical strategies that futures work requires. The course consists of five components.
First is a brief presentation of each of the steps or stages of a study, covering everything from the professional to the psychological preparations necessary for effectively engaging the future.
The second component includes exercises for both individuals and teams. It covers the why, when, and how of techniques including trend identification and extrapolation, cross-impact, expert judgment (Delphi), environmental scanning, moot hearings, trees, signed digraphs, and scenarios. For each one of these methods, participants will be carried through a practical example, advised about when and how to use the techniques, and informed about relative costs and requirements, special training, or equipment.
The third component is a unique team assignment, taking a minimum of two hours overnight. It will require substantial group cooperative work, and it will solidify the course in your mind.
The fourth component, on Day 2, involves presentation of the overnight exercise results by each team, and critical review by other teams as well as by the instructor.
The fifth component will cover long-term questions of the life work of a futurist, including the preparation of proposals and reports and keeping up with information and developments relevant to your professional interests.
Participants must be prepared to work strenuously in a high-pressure intellectual setting.
Who should attend: Professional and vocational futurists as well as those who wish to be better able to understand and interpret and use futures material.
What you’ll learn: Attendees will experience all aspects of studying the future, giving particular attention to the intellectual conditions and practical strategies and tools that futures work requires. All concepts will be demonstrated and reinforced by examples from firsthand experience.
How this new knowledge can be applied: Attendees, professional and otherwise, will be able to apply futurists’ strategies and tools to their everyday lives.
Joseph Coates, president, Joseph F. Coates Consulting Futurist, Inc.; he is the author or co-author of five books, the most recent of which is A Bill of Rights for 21st Century America; Washington, D.C.
$350 members/$400 nonmembers Register Now
World Future Society
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450
Bethesda, MD 20814 U.S.A.
Tel: 301/656-8274 • Fax: 301/951-0394 • E-mail: sechard@wfs.org
