
COURSE OVERVIEW
Build in-depth knowledge of scenario planning, from theory to practical application. Learn to identify weak signals, design and facilitate scenario planning workshops, and apply scenarios to real-world challenges.
Facilitator

Modafar Shaker Akhoirshieda
Future Foresight Expert
Emkan Futures
Modafar Akhoirshieda is a futures thinker, foresight coach, and business development consultant with over 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping organizations and individuals to think strategically about the future and to make informed decisions that will help them to achieve their goals.
Modafar is a board member of different future foresight organizations globally and regionally such as APF, GSFC, and RIT-Dubai, he has a wealth of experience in the field of futures thinking, and he is skilled in helping people to identify and understand emerging trends, to think about the future in a more holistic way, and to develop strategies for capitalizing on these trends.
Modafar is the founder of Emkan Futures, a futures studies organization that aims at spreading futures thinking in the MENA region and increasing Arabic resources in the field. He is also the host of the Emkan Futures podcast, where he interviews world-renowned futurists and experts to discuss topics ranging from futures thinking importance to the future of humanity and stellar exploration.
Modafar is a board member of different future foresight organizations globally and regionally such as APF, GSFC, and RIT-Dubai, he has a wealth of experience in the field of futures thinking, and he is skilled in helping people to identify and understand emerging trends, to think about the future in a more holistic way, and to develop strategies for capitalizing on these trends.
Modafar is the founder of Emkan Futures, a futures studies organization that aims at spreading futures thinking in the MENA region and increasing Arabic resources in the field. He is also the host of the Emkan Futures podcast, where he interviews world-renowned futurists and experts to discuss topics ranging from futures thinking importance to the future of humanity and stellar exploration.
Date
- 14 - 16 April 2025
Time
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location
- Emirates Towers, 3D Office
Target audience
- Open to everyone
Language
- Arabic
FEES
- AED 3,500
- Per Participant
COURSE OUTLINE
Day 1
- Review core future foresight concepts and their connection to scenario planning.
- Deep dive into the principles and different types of scenarios
- Step-by-step process of scenario development
- Interactive exercises to practice identifying weak signals and their potential impact on scenarios.
Day 2
- Hands-on workshop experience simulating a scenario planning exercise for a real-world challenge.
- Apply scenario planning methodologies to case studies from different domains
- Analyze and interpret scenario outcomes for informed decision-making.
- Group discussions and presentations to share insights and learnings.
Day 3
- Creating a shared, aspirational image of the desired future to guide strategic decision-making and actions.
- Understand how to move from foresight to shaping the future.
- Work from the future back to the present (Start at the end)
- Explore foresight best practices in action through different real-life use cases.
- Group projects presentations
- Discuss how you could use foresight through scenarios in your context.
Learning Objectives
- Sharpen critical thinking skills for future-oriented problem-solving.
- Outline scenario planning methodologies within future foresight frameworks.
- Identify and assess weak signals relevant to scenario development.
- Apply scenario planning to address real-world challenges in various domains (e.g., business strategy, public policy, social innovation).
Learning outcomes
- Define scenario planning methodologies and their application within future foresight.
- Identify weak signals and integrate them into scenario development processes.
- Apply scenarios to real-world challenges and derive actionable insights.
- Practice collaboration and communication skills to effectively present and discuss scenario outcomes.
AGENDA
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 1
Time | Sessions |
---|---|
9:00 – 9:15 | Welcome and introduction |
9:30 – 10:30 | Intuition and imagination Future orientation – Future backwards Foresight fundamentals #1: Foresight as a practice |
10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee break |
10:45 – 11:30 | Foresight fundamentals #2: Develop a foresight mindset Introduction to the project Horizon scanning exercise Ways the future could be different for me/us |
12:15 – 13:00 | Lunch break |
13:00 – 14:00 | Foresight expert(s) panel Foresight Fundamentals #3: Terminologies, what does it mean: signals, drivers/trends |
14:30 – 14:45 | Coffee break |
14:45 – 15:45 | Linking drivers and signals |
15:45 – 16:00 | Recap and close |
DAY 2
Time | Sessions |
---|---|
9:00 – 9:15 | Day 1 recap |
9:30 – 10:30 | Drivers mapping Identifying and ranking uncertainties Foresight fundamentals #4: the future is here! |
10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee break |
10:45 – 11:30 | Signals revisit and draw out consequences Alternative futures and scenarios |
12:15 – 13:00 | Lunch break |
13:00 – 14:00 | Scenario planning exercise (cont’d) |
14:30 – 14:45 | Coffee break |
14:45 – 15:45 | Scenario presentation and discussion |
15:45 – 16:00 | Recap and close |
DAY 3
Time | Sessions |
---|---|
9:00 – 9:15 | Day 2 recap |
9:30 – 10:30 | Visioning exercise Foresight fundamentals #5: From foresight to shaping the future |
10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee break |
10:45 – 11:30 | Backcasting exercise Start at the end |
12:15 – 13:00 | Lunch break |
13:00 – 14:00 | Foresight in Action: Use cases and best practices Preparing presentations (cont’d) |
14:30 – 14:45 | Coffee break |
14:45 – 15:45 | Group projects presentations Your turn: How could you use it in your context? |
15:45 – 16:00 | Recap and close |