By Trish Lavery and Parika Verma, Policy Projects and Taskforce Office at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
One of the success stories from the Government’s Capability Reinvestment Fund is the new Australian Government Futures Primer. It is helping the Australian Public Service future-proof policy development and integrate futures methodologies into its work.
| The Futures Primer is part of the "Policy Fit for the Future" project, building APS capability to use futures techniques in policymaking through horizon scanning, visioning and scenario planning. These tools help anticipate and navigate future risks and opportunities. The tools and advice can be adapted to any policy challenge, and reflect the views of global experts in futures and strategic foresight, both within and outside the APS. |
Developed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in partnership with the Futures Hub at the National Security College, Australian National University and includes contributions from most major departments. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Forestry were a key project partner, delivering the Ag2050 Future Scenario project in collaboration with CSIRO.
The Futures Primer offers a range of flexible tools and advice that can be adapted to any policy challenge. It reflects the views of global experts in futures and strategic foresight, both within and outside the APS.
In addition to the Futures Primer, PM&C’s Policy Projects and Taskforce Office also led scenario planning and horizon scanning exercises with senior APS leaders. This identified key challenges for the next decade.
This initiative highlights the APS's commitment to becoming more future-literate and better equipped to provide creative, informed policy advice about future possibilities. The Futures Primer is an ideal starting point for policy teams interested in Futures, and those seeking to enhance their long-term planning and decision-making approaches.
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