Some workforce planners leave the field (voluntarily or otherwise) because they cannot accurately predict future headcount needs. Sam Goldwyn once said, “it is difficult to make forecasts, especially about the future.” Both the American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) and the Conference Board confirm few have mastered this critical skill. In this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world, the premiums go to those who can anticipate the future. Scenario planning has helped many better illuminate the dark future surrounding people strategy. Dan Ward has successfully used scenario planning within the petroleum industry, the information services industry, and with national security agencies. As the Special Advisor for Talent Solutions at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Dan is now helping the world’s premier Space Exploration agency refine their vision for the future of work.

In this session, you will learn:

- Pros and cons of broad-based versus targeted workforce scenario planning

- Techniques for using scaled-down scenarios to refocus thinking

- How to reduce uncertainty using scenarios