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Transformative Scenario Planning: Creating New Futures When Things Aren't Working
People who are trying to solve tough economic, social, or environmental problems often find themselves frustratingly stuck. They cannot solve their problems in their current context; the larger system within which they are operating is too unstable or unfair or unsustainable. They cannot transform this system on their own, or by working only with their friends or colleagues; the system is too complex to be grasped or shifted by any one person or organization or sector. And other actors whose cooperation would be necessary to transform the system don't understand or agree with or trust one another enough to work together.
This book describes a powerful new methodology for dealing with these challenges. Transformative scenario planning is a powerful way for actors from across a whole system to work together to transform that system. It is a way for them to get unstuck and to move forward on solving their tough problems.
Transformative scenario planning goes far beyond conventional, adaptive scenario planning, Often people find themselves in systems that are complex, conflictual, not working, and stuck. In such systems, people need a methodology not simply for adapting to the system but also for creating new, better futures. Transformative scenario planning is a way that people can work together with others to transform themselves and their relationships with one another, and thereby to transform their systems. In this simple and practical book, Adam Kahane explains this methodology and how to use it.
This book describes a powerful new methodology for dealing with these challenges. Transformative scenario planning is a powerful way for actors from across a whole system to work together to transform that system. It is a way for them to get unstuck and to move forward on solving their tough problems.
Transformative scenario planning goes far beyond conventional, adaptive scenario planning, Often people find themselves in systems that are complex, conflictual, not working, and stuck. In such systems, people need a methodology not simply for adapting to the system but also for creating new, better futures. Transformative scenario planning is a way that people can work together with others to transform themselves and their relationships with one another, and thereby to transform their systems. In this simple and practical book, Adam Kahane explains this methodology and how to use it.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2012
50 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Adam Kahane
20 books88 followersAdam Kahane is a Director of Reos Partners, an international social enterprise that helps people move forward together on their most important and intractable issues.
Adam is a leading organizer, designer and facilitator of processes through which business, government, and civil society leaders can work together to address such challenges. He has worked in more than fifty countries, in every part of the world, with executives and politicians, generals and guerrillas, civil servants and trade unionists, community activists and United Nations officials, clergy and artists.
Adam is a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2022 he was named a Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Thought Leader of the Year at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Adam is a leading organizer, designer and facilitator of processes through which business, government, and civil society leaders can work together to address such challenges. He has worked in more than fifty countries, in every part of the world, with executives and politicians, generals and guerrillas, civil servants and trade unionists, community activists and United Nations officials, clergy and artists.
Adam is a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2022 he was named a Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Thought Leader of the Year at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2020
Me asombró. No lo esperaba tan profundo, esperanzador, honesto, y además fácil de leer. Es una poderosa apuesta por el diálogo aún en las situaciones más complejas. Lectura obligada para todos los que estén interesados en transformaciones sociales.
Leí una edición de la CNDH México, aplaudo su esfuerzo aunque el prólogo casi logra hacerme no leer el resto.
Leí una edición de la CNDH México, aplaudo su esfuerzo aunque el prólogo casi logra hacerme no leer el resto.
June 8, 2021
Transformative Scenario Planning takes a narrative approach. Kahane tells the story of the Mont Fleur Scenario exercise, and how it helped a diverse group of South African leaders from across the many divisions of that society to talk through what was happening, what could happen and what needed to happen in their country – and then to act on what they had learned, so contributing to some peaceful forward progress in a situation that had seemed violently stuck.
Drawing on another 20 years of subsequent practice with scenarios, Kahane goes on to outline his conclusions on when and how such planning works best – namely, in situations seen to be unacceptable or unsustainable, that cannot be transformed directly or by people working only with those close to them, and by means of a five stage process detailed in subsequent chapters.
Drawing on another 20 years of subsequent practice with scenarios, Kahane goes on to outline his conclusions on when and how such planning works best – namely, in situations seen to be unacceptable or unsustainable, that cannot be transformed directly or by people working only with those close to them, and by means of a five stage process detailed in subsequent chapters.
March 13, 2022
An inspiring story of how it’s possible to change societies
Adam retells the successful and less successful stories of trying to change society using scenario planning. By bringing a diverse group of leaders together to plan the future, Adam has helped some countries move forward probably in a bit better direction a bit faster.
Inspiring if you didn’t believe change is possible at that scale.
Adam retells the successful and less successful stories of trying to change society using scenario planning. By bringing a diverse group of leaders together to plan the future, Adam has helped some countries move forward probably in a bit better direction a bit faster.
Inspiring if you didn’t believe change is possible at that scale.
January 3, 2025
Adam made it easy to understand what Transformative Scenario Planning is all about.
This book makes it possible for anyone to understand what scenarios are and what steps need to be taken in order for anyone to start getting to them.
I really enjoyed reading the examples of previous scenarios writing experiences and I love how Adam even showed us how this process can also be unsuccessful.
This book makes it possible for anyone to understand what scenarios are and what steps need to be taken in order for anyone to start getting to them.
I really enjoyed reading the examples of previous scenarios writing experiences and I love how Adam even showed us how this process can also be unsuccessful.
November 16, 2018
It is a very well written book , crisp clear and the author has written alot of his experience and his effort to see problem from various perspectives and solve it step by step is really worth a praise.
November 10, 2017
Read for school.
February 10, 2019
I have been looking for a book on Scenario Planning. This book does not end the search.
This is the nth book mentioning South Africa, Shell, and Latin America. The book is more an account of authors own work. It is not bad and in some ways, it is engrossing as well. However, it is not a book on scenario planning and how to use it in your organization.
This is the nth book mentioning South Africa, Shell, and Latin America. The book is more an account of authors own work. It is not bad and in some ways, it is engrossing as well. However, it is not a book on scenario planning and how to use it in your organization.
July 12, 2014
Certainly, Adam Kahane has been involved in some remarkable working groups. The basic idea of transformative scenario planning can get disparate, even opposing, groups working together towards a common goal.
Unfortunately, the "basic idea" is about what there is in this particular book. For example, it's amazing that you can get people who have been in violent conflicts with each other, even (as is mentioned in the book), specifically trying to kill each other as individuals, and have them share ideas. How you get them to do that, though, is not covered...just the fact that it happened.
Another element which makes it not work as a practical "how to" guide (and it may not be intended as that) is that the author honestly says that the conditions have to be right for it to succeed...and mentions times when it didn't. It's a bit like saying, "So, you want to eat pizza tonight? First, you need to have a pizza..." Well, yes...if you don't have a pizza, and you aren't told how to get one (either making it yourself or perhaps having it delivered), that doesn't do you much good.
Kahane is clearly a person to be admired, but I can't recommend the book for people who are hoping to learn how to get their own communities "unstuck".
Unfortunately, the "basic idea" is about what there is in this particular book. For example, it's amazing that you can get people who have been in violent conflicts with each other, even (as is mentioned in the book), specifically trying to kill each other as individuals, and have them share ideas. How you get them to do that, though, is not covered...just the fact that it happened.
Another element which makes it not work as a practical "how to" guide (and it may not be intended as that) is that the author honestly says that the conditions have to be right for it to succeed...and mentions times when it didn't. It's a bit like saying, "So, you want to eat pizza tonight? First, you need to have a pizza..." Well, yes...if you don't have a pizza, and you aren't told how to get one (either making it yourself or perhaps having it delivered), that doesn't do you much good.
Kahane is clearly a person to be admired, but I can't recommend the book for people who are hoping to learn how to get their own communities "unstuck".
May 28, 2013
The best part of this book is the method of referring to various scenarios as stories. When you have stories about what could happen, then they are just that, stories.
The author points out that many of the scenario planning activities that happened didn't work out. This shows how scenario planning by itself can't foster huge change. There has to be an inner commitment that goes along with planning change. If both don't happen, there is little chance any of the positive stories will take root.
In some cases the negative scenarios had to play out before countries got around to working on positive scenarios where they changed belief systems as well as actions.
The book is worth a read in that there are some good ideas in it.
The author points out that many of the scenario planning activities that happened didn't work out. This shows how scenario planning by itself can't foster huge change. There has to be an inner commitment that goes along with planning change. If both don't happen, there is little chance any of the positive stories will take root.
In some cases the negative scenarios had to play out before countries got around to working on positive scenarios where they changed belief systems as well as actions.
The book is worth a read in that there are some good ideas in it.
Read
February 29, 2016The book was an easy-to-read and useful introduction to the world of scenario planning. Kahane's examples, which draw on his experiences, such as the South African Mont Fleur project, were pertinent in portraying the processes of scenario planning. These case studies of national-level scenario planning initiatives were also engaging. A good book for beginners looking to understand what is scenario planning and how it is conducted.
April 19, 2016
Very well written, but I was definitely not sold on the idea of transformative scenario planning. I felt the author was not critical enough of this approach and focused mostly on the advantages. I would have preferred a more honest account of the merits and pitfalls of this (supposedly wonderful) methodological approach.
August 15, 2016
A refreshingly different perspective on Scenarios here.
The obvious learning point here is that transformative scenarios are the products of stories knitted -weft and warp - with brutal the truth(s). And for such stories to emerge, everyone that is a part of the problem(s) must be part of crafting the solution.
The obvious learning point here is that transformative scenarios are the products of stories knitted -weft and warp - with brutal the truth(s). And for such stories to emerge, everyone that is a part of the problem(s) must be part of crafting the solution.
April 25, 2013
Comme dans ses autres livres Kahane documente les concepts avec pleins d'exemples titrés de sa pratique... en prime c'est synthèse et pertinent! J'aime
June 10, 2013
Oh my goodness! A new facilitation technique! Love this technique. So easy to read and apply to my work right now. I really recommend this one to my Process Facilitating friends.
June 9, 2016
A concise and measured book, that describes the possibilities and impossibilities of changing things that matter.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews