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Discover your Future by “Discovering Common Ground”

A proven method of real time strategic planning, for moving “To The Future & Beyond” by focusing on the future , not

solving current problems.

FUTURE SEARCH: A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

“FUTURE SEARCH” and “THE SEARCH CONFERENCE” is based on methods and principles developed and set forth by Merrelyn and Fred Emery, Ronald E. Purser, Marvin Weisbord, Sandra Janoff, Ronald Lippitt, Eva Schindler-Rainman, Eric Trist, Wilfred Bion, Tonnie van der Zouwell, Solomon Asch and many others who have contributed to a better understanding and application of small and large group dynamics and systems theory.

To the Future and Beyond 2

Why are you here?

What attracted you to this session?What questions do you want

answered by attending this session?

Objectives

• GET THE WHOLE SYSTEM IN THE ROOM• SEE GLOBAL CONTEXT FOR LOCAL ACTION• FOCUS ON THE FUTURE AND COMMON

GROUND• SELF-MANAGE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR

ACTION• IGNITE PASSIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND

BEING STRATEGIC THINKERS AT ALL LEVELS IN ORGANIZATIONS

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Outline of the SessionIntroduction and ObjectivesFuture Search PrinciplesCase: Fire Prevention Future Search Reflection and DiscussionMini-Future Search ExerciseSummary and Reflection

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.An Alternative to “Doing the Same Old Things” and “Getting the Same Old

Results”

Strategic planning, in real time, with both external and internal stakeholders present.

A unique, highly effective approach. Involves the entire “community” surrounding the

organizational entity searching for its desirable future. Common Ground as a frame of reference.

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Common Ground: An Alternative

Inclusive, open

Stakeholders fromall segments

5-10+ years

Flat, circular

Shared

Acting “as if” based on desired future

Economic growth, common purpose, contribution

Commitment to community

On-going task forces

A Simple Comparison

Exclusive, proprietary

Internal Leadership withStaff support

1-5 years

Hierarchical, pyramidal

Top down

Projection, trend extrapolation

Economic growth

Reduction of anxiety

Document, ??? energy / commitment

TRADITIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING ELEMENT

FUTURE SEARCHCONFERENCE

Mindset

Participation

Time Frame

Structure

Control

Planning Method

ValuesOrientation

PsychologicalResonance

Output

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What is Future Search?• A model designed by Marvin Weisbord &

Sandra Janoff based on the work of Emery & Trist

• Aimed at getting everybody improving whole systems

• A large conference involving a broad variety of stakeholders

• Creating a shared encounter

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Framework“How this approach differs from typical participative meetings”

The WHOLE SYSTEM participates. A cross-section of as many interested parties as practical. That means more diversity and less hierarchy than usual in a working meeting, and a chance for each person to be heard and learn other ways of looking at the task at hand.

Future scenarios for an organization, community or issue are put into HISTORICAL and GLOBAL perspectives. That means thinking globally together before acting locally. This feature enhances shared understanding and greater commitment to act. It also increases the range of potential actions.

People SELF-MANAGE their work, and use DIALOGUE not “problem solving” as the main tool. That means helping each other do the tasks and taking responsibility for our perceptions and actions.

COMMON GROUND rather than “conflict management”, is the frame of reference. That means honoring our differences rather than having to reconcile them.

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Three Generic Uses of Future Search

To create a shared vision for an organization or community

To enable stakeholders to discover shared intentions and take responsibility for their own plans

To help people implement a shared vision that already exists

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WHEN To Do It

Need to infuse energy and motivation to renew and revitalize organizations

Shift organizations in transition from the past to the future

Identify and confront new or changed external conditions affecting the

organization

Generate support, congruence and commitment from all segments of the system

Clarify the future purpose, roles and boundaries of the organization and its

interfaces

New leadership is taking over

Opposing parties need to meet in a productive environment with an apolitical

forum

Other efforts to unify and create a shared vision of the future have stalled

A key transition is eminent stemming from strong influences

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PrinciplesOpen systems exploration Equal participation regardless of hierarchyParticipants are chosen as stakeholders Future Focus Include a broad spectrum of viewpoints Everyone shares information, interprets it

and decides on action steps

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Core Values

People:

are a source of information can be creative

Focus on the future Everyone is an equal Diversity should be appreciated and valued Differences are explored but the task is to agree

common ground

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Conditions For Success“Whole” system in the roomGlobal context, local actionCommon ground and future focusFull attendanceHealthy meeting conditions48 hour event spread over 3 daysPublic responsibility for follow-up

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Typical Structure

• Involves 30-70 people

• Has a defined purpose

• Five tasks

• No formal input

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LunchSession 1 Mixed Groups• Welcome & Opening Remarks• Overview, agenda, ground rules• Introductions - Artifacts

Session 2• Review of the Past on personal,

organizational and “world” level

Session 3 Stakeholder/Large group(s)

• Review of Present Trends (Mind Map)

• Identify common, external influences

AGENDA

AM

PM

Day 1

Day 2 Day 3

Session 4 Full Group• Present trends, cont’d.

Session 5 Mixed Groups• Present trends

implications

Session 6• Owning the present• “Prouds & Sorries”

Session 7 Mixed Groups• Create Ideal Futures

Session 8 Mixed Groups• Present future scenarios

“acting as if”

Session 9 Full Group• Identify common ground of

the future

Session 10 Full Group• Reality Dialogue

Session 11 Stakeholder &/or Theme Groups

• Action Planning• Report out

Session 12• Final Summaries and next

steps• Closing

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Future Search ConferencesThe Five Tasks

• Task 1: Focus on the Past

• Task 2: Focus on the Present

• Task 3: Ideal Future Scenarios

• Task 4: Identify Common Ground

• Task 5: Action Planning18

Reflection and Discussion

A Brief Future Search Case ReviewPoudre Fire Authority

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Mini-Future Search Exercise

ISPI A LEADER IN GLOBAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT:

ISPI IN 2023

THE NEXT 10 YEARS

Summary and Reflection

BENEFITS Influences and establish a common purpose and direction of the whole organizational system

Identifies commonality and diversity

Shares responsibility and control by all constituents instead of mandates from the “top”

Fosters commitment to the organizational mission from all influences

Broadens horizons and perspectives that guide short-term priorities

Involves representation from internal and external influences at levels beyond leaders and experts

Opens opportunities to meet a variety of different people with diverse points of view

Creates ways to leverage information use and delivery as a competitive advantage

Learn more about the challenges and help define ways to meet them

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Elephant and the Blind Men

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