Beyond the Horizon: Strategic Foresight Tools

Foresight and futures thinking enable individuals to consider the drivers of change that are shaping the future and the implications of these drivers on policy and decision-making. The learning seeks to broaden individuals’ perspectives, improve consultation and research skills, increase comfort when working with uncertainty, capitalise on opportunities, and optimise policy and programmes for the benefit of Australian communities and businesses.

This post-graduate microcredential is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to engage in forecasting, better understand complex systems and build scenarios as key approaches in the broader field of foresight.

The duration of learning is 50 hours over 8 weeks. 

This microcredential will be delivered online through a combination of vodcasts, webinars, interactive discussions, case studies, international best practice examples, exercises, group activities and online forums which will be moderated by the teaching team. Weekly vodcasts provide foundational knowledge, followed by webinars which include group discussions to facilitate peer learning. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with facilitators and fellow participants, drawing on real-life scenarios and applying foresight and futures techniques to policy and service delivery-related challenges. Practical exercises involve applying concepts to simulated and real-world scenarios. Digital assets such as videos and the use of a bespoke workbook will further enhance student learning.

This course has been co-designed by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the APS Academy, in conjunction with experienced APS practitioners.

Participant benefits

• Critically evaluate the evidence and assumptions that support a future view.
• Consider how biases and other confounding factors that may hinder effective futures thinking and develop ways to mitigate them.
• Identify the appropriate use of foresight techniques and their applications based upon their strengths and limitations for a given purpose.
• Generate scenarios for a problem or opportunity that Australia may encounter and apply relevant analysis to support decision-making process for strategic planning.
• Analyse current and potential future domestic or international developments related to the futures scenarios.
• Apply a range of foresight techniques to strategic planning, policy development or risk analysis.

Suitable for

All staff.

Considerations

• As this is a post-graduate microcredential, participants require:
  • Undergraduate or 3 years professional experience, and
  • Experience in policy design/implementation.
• Enrolments are direct through the  UNSW website. 

Category and User Level

This learning experience aligns with the Strategy, Policy and Evaluation Craft at the Foundation level.

Accreditation/Award

Upon successful completion of the microcredential, participants: 

• Will be awarded a digital badge from UNSW certifying their expertise. 
• Will be given 2 credits from UNSW opening the door to the possibility of applying for academic credit in accordance with UNSWs credit and exemptions policy.
• Gain the opportunity to pursue further academic pathways beyond the current program.

Price

$1650 per person. Payment made via UNSW.