The Future of Hardware Retailing: A Scenario Caselet
Print
Email
This “caselet” shows how scenarios—plausible stories about how one’s industry might be shaped in the future—can be used to generate and prioritize strategic options in the face of increasing uncertainty in that industry. Although not a “how to” manual for conducting a scenario project, it does highlight the key outcomes generated at selected, key points in a particular scenario planning process and demonstrates how to take broader contextual forces and translate them into practical, relevant choices for the organization.
It is important to note that much of the value in the scenario planning process, and much of the associated learning, comes from the conversations held between the key stakeholders themselves during the process, as well as from the injection of “scenaric thinking” into the ongoing strategic mindset of the organization. For obvious reasons, these aspects of the process can not be fully captured in a document of this nature.
Finally, this example was developed entirely by GBN/Monitor consultants and did not involve an actual client.
It is important to note that much of the value in the scenario planning process, and much of the associated learning, comes from the conversations held between the key stakeholders themselves during the process, as well as from the injection of “scenaric thinking” into the ongoing strategic mindset of the organization. For obvious reasons, these aspects of the process can not be fully captured in a document of this nature.
Finally, this example was developed entirely by GBN/Monitor consultants and did not involve an actual client.
Download this article [PDF 520K]
