Forecasting Skills See the Future Before it Happens

For many people, the future comes as a surprise – or even a shock. But with strong forecasting skills, YOU can avoid future shock. You can adapt faster, and become better prepared to benefit from change.In this course, you’ll build your future forecasting skills. You’ll learn how to turn groups of “signals” (clues about the future) and “drivers” (global forces that influence the direction of change) into compelling future forecasts. Forecasts help you discover new possibilities and opportunities for yourself, your company, or any community you want to inspire to make a better future.

You’ll also learn how to write future scenarios. Scenarios take forecasts one step further. They spark imagination and tell a story about what might happen if a forecast comes true. Scenarios help you evaluate: Is this a future I’m ready for? Is this a future I want?

Leading futurists from the Institute for the Future will show you exactly how it’s done. They’ll share with you the forecasts and scenarios they’re most excited about right now, and walk you through the key steps they took to create them. Then, it’s your turn! You’ll create a forecast and a scenario on any future topic you choose.

How will you benefit from taking this course? With strong forecasting skills, you’ll get better at seeing the future before it happens. You’ll be ready to consider possibilities that others never see coming or refuse to accept. You’ll be able to help others prepare for and adapt to the future. You can decide which futures you want to make more likely, and which futures you want to prevent.

Many thanks to the Enlight Foundation and the Enlight Collaborative, which provided a grant to support the creation of this course.

• Collect and Analyze SIGNALS OF CHANGE

• Identify and Analyze GLOBAL DRIVERS OF CHANGE

• Combine Signals and Drivers into FUTURE FORECASTS

• Write SCENARIOS that tell a story about your FUTURE FORECAST

Syllabus

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Introduction to Future Forecasting
Week 2
How to Create a Future Forecast
Week 3
How to Write a Future Scenario
Week 4
How to Update Your Forecasts

FAQ

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.

The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Reviews

I liked the course a lot. Presented tools are quite useful for me and I can use them when trying to build the future scenarios.

Excellent course! Jane McGonigal facilitation is enthusiastic, clear and engaging. The videos and reading material are insightful and really useful. Thank you!

The course was very interesting . I have learned a lot of new skills and had more experience on the subject of the course. Thanks a lot

I am learning more and more which has shown me how little I knew before these courses. Take them if you want to see the world differently!