Futures Thinking from Coursera

You can’t always know what’s coming, but you can imagine it. You have the ability to embrace new ideas and stay hopeful about the future. That’s what futures thinking is all about. By exiting your default frame and asking the right questions, you can start to imagine new scenarios and use those to inform your decisions. For anyone trying to think ahead and act strategically, this kind of thinking is a must.

With the expertise of Dr. Timiebi Aganaba from the ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society, the Futures Thinking course will put the tools, knowledge and strategies for imagining possible futures directly into your hands. You’ll learn the fundamentals and get acquainted with your futures thinking toolkit. Then, you’ll directly apply them in hands-on scenarios.

Relying on your usual framework will not produce every possible future. Instead, you need to open your mind and remain hopeful. You also need to learn which questions to ask. By the end of your process, you should be able to exit your usual frame of mind and imagine new scenarios that you can plan for — skills that anyone can learn and apply anywhere. Jump-start your futures thinking journey today!

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Futures Thinking!

Imagining the future with a frame

Asking the right questions

Harnessing imagination in scenarios

Regaining power over the future

Course Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundational understanding of futures thinking, which can be beneficial in various fields

Incorporates practical scenarios to reinforce learning and enhance applicability

Taught by Dr. Timiebi Aganaba, an expert in future innovation and societal issues

Suitable for professionals, students, and individuals interested in strategic thinking and planning

May require a basic understanding of innovation and societal issues to fully grasp the concepts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Futures Thinking with these activities:

Review 'Imagining the Future with a Frame'

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Familiarize yourself with the course's core concept of imagining the future with a frame to prepare for the course content.

Browse courses on Futures Thinking

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Read the assigned section of the course textbook.
Take notes on the key concepts and principles.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of the section.

Read 'The Art of the Long View' by Peter Schwartz

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Gain insights into the methods and practices of long-term planning and scenario thinking.

View The Art of the Long View on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
Identify examples of effective and ineffective futures thinking in the book.
Write a summary of the book's main arguments.

Practice Asking the Right Questions

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Sharpen your ability to frame meaningful questions that drive effective futures thinking.

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Review the principles of asking good questions.
Identify a specific issue or challenge.
Develop a set of questions that explore the issue from different perspectives.
Reflect on the quality and effectiveness of your questions.

Five other activities

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Explore Scenarios in Practice

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Develop your ability to apply creative thinking and scenario planning to envision possible futures.

Browse courses on Scenario Planning

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Identify a real-world issue or challenge.
Develop multiple scenarios that explore different potential outcomes.
Analyze the implications and impact of each scenario.
Present your findings and recommendations.

Review 'The Innovator's Dilemma' by Clayton Christensen

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Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of disruption and innovation in the context of futures thinking.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
Identify examples of disruptive innovations in different industries.
Consider how these concepts apply to your own field or interests.

Attend a Futures Thinking Conference

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Connect with professionals in the field of futures thinking and learn about the latest trends and applications.

Browse courses on Futures Thinking

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Research upcoming futures thinking conferences.
Register for a conference that aligns with your interests.
Attend the conference sessions and workshops.
Network with other attendees and industry experts.

Create a Futures Thinking Toolkit

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Organize and consolidate your notes, readings, and resources to enhance your understanding and retention of futures thinking concepts.

Browse courses on Futures Thinking

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Gather your notes, handouts, and other materials from the course.
Organize the materials into a logical structure.
Create a summary or cheat sheet of key concepts.
Include additional resources such as articles, videos, or podcasts.

Participate in a Futures Thinking Hackathon

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Challenge yourself to apply the principles of futures thinking to solve real-world problems and develop creative solutions.

Browse courses on Futures Thinking

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Identify a hackathon or competition that aligns with your interests.
Form a team or work independently.
Develop a concept and prototype that demonstrates your futures thinking skills.
Submit your project and present it to the judges.

Career center

Learners who complete Futures Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Technology Futurist

Technology futurists essentially seek to understand how technology will change our lives in the years to come. They use futures thinking to help organizations make strategic decisions about how to invest in new technologies and products. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful technology futurist, including how to identify emerging trends, analyze data, and develop scenarios for the future.

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Strategy Consultant

Strategy consultants help organizations develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals. They use futures thinking to help organizations identify opportunities and threats, and to develop plans to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate threats. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful strategy consultant, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Innovation Manager

Innovation managers are responsible for leading and managing innovation within organizations. They use futures thinking to help organizations identify new opportunities for growth, and to develop and implement new products and services. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful innovation manager, including how to identify and evaluate new ideas, and to develop and manage innovation projects.

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Public Policy Analyst

Public policy analysts analyze public policy issues and make recommendations to policymakers. They use futures thinking to help policymakers understand the potential consequences of different policy options. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful public policy analyst, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop plans for the future development of cities and towns. They use futures thinking to help communities envision their future and to develop plans to achieve their goals. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful urban planner, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop plans.

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Social Impact Futurist

Social impact futurists use futures thinking to understand how social, economic, and environmental changes will affect society. They use this knowledge to develop strategies to create a better future. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful social impact futurist, including how to identify emerging trends, analyze data, and develop scenarios for the future.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. They use futures thinking to understand how environmental changes will affect humans and the environment. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful environmental scientist, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants help organizations develop and implement sustainability strategies. They use futures thinking to help organizations understand the potential consequences of different sustainability options. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful sustainability consultant, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Risk Manager

Risk managers identify and manage risks for organizations. They use futures thinking to help organizations understand the potential consequences of different risks. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful risk manager, including how to conduct risk assessments, develop risk management plans, and implement risk management strategies.

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Investment Analyst

Investment analysts analyze investments and make recommendations to investors. They use futures thinking to help investors understand the potential risks and returns of different investments. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a successful investment analyst, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Market Researcher

Market researchers study consumer behavior and trends. They use futures thinking to help businesses understand the potential needs and wants of their customers. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a successful market researcher, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists analyze data to identify patterns and trends. They use futures thinking to help organizations understand the potential implications of different data-driven decisions. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a successful data scientist, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and computer models to solve business problems. They use futures thinking to help organizations understand the potential consequences of different operational decisions. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a successful operations research analyst, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers design and improve industrial processes. They use futures thinking to help organizations understand the potential consequences of different process changes. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a successful industrial engineer, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. They use futures thinking to help investors understand the potential risks and returns of different investments. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a successful financial analyst, including how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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