During times of uncertainty and upheaval, scenario planning can help you develop a strategic response to a known risk that could impact your organization. Scenario planning is a strategic process for managing unknowns so you can prepare for a range of possibilities.
If you find yourself losing sleep over “what if” questions, it’s probably time for scenario planning. This template for scenario planning breaks the process down into five main steps:
- Name the big unknown
- Identify the most likely scenarios, the good, the bad, and the in between
- Think through impacts on your programming, your financial picture, and your staff, community, and stakeholders
- Brainstorm your strategy and possible action steps
- Get clear on the indicators and key decision points, so you know when to activate your contingency plan.
Use this tool to get started on your own or with your team.
If you’d like additional guidance and examples, check out Managing Uncertainty: A Guide to Scenario Planning. And if you’re looking for someone to facilitate a scenario planning workshop for your team, reach out to get connected with a skilled practitioner.
The Management Center is a 501c3 organization that helps leaders working for social change build equitable, sustainable, and results-driven organizations via trainings coaching, and online resources and tools.