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When and how to use scenario planning: A heuristic approach with illustration

When and how to use scenario planning: A heuristic approach with illustration This paper offers a step‐by‐step analysis of a heuristic approach to scenario planning, taking a managerial perspective. The scenario method is contrasted in general with more traditional planning techniques, which tend to perform less well when faced with high uncertainty and complexity. An actual case involving a manufacturing company is used to illustrate the main steps of the proposed heuristic. Its essence is to identify relevant trends and uncertainties, and blend them into scenarios that are internally consistent. In addition, the scenarios should bound the range of plausible uncertainties and challenge managerial thinking. Links to decision making are examined next, including administrative policies as well as integrative techniques. At the strategic level, a key‐success‐factor matrix is proposed for integrating scenarios, competitor analysis and strategic vision. At the operational level, Monte Carlo simulation is suggested and illustrated as one useful technique for combining scenario thinking with formal project evaluation (after appropriate translations). The paper concludes with a general discussion of scenario planning, to place it in a broader perspective. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Forecasting Wiley

When and how to use scenario planning: A heuristic approach with illustration

Journal of Forecasting , Volume 10 (6) – Nov 1, 1991

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References (24)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN
0277-6693
eISSN
1099-131X
DOI
10.1002/for.3980100602
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This paper offers a step‐by‐step analysis of a heuristic approach to scenario planning, taking a managerial perspective. The scenario method is contrasted in general with more traditional planning techniques, which tend to perform less well when faced with high uncertainty and complexity. An actual case involving a manufacturing company is used to illustrate the main steps of the proposed heuristic. Its essence is to identify relevant trends and uncertainties, and blend them into scenarios that are internally consistent. In addition, the scenarios should bound the range of plausible uncertainties and challenge managerial thinking. Links to decision making are examined next, including administrative policies as well as integrative techniques. At the strategic level, a key‐success‐factor matrix is proposed for integrating scenarios, competitor analysis and strategic vision. At the operational level, Monte Carlo simulation is suggested and illustrated as one useful technique for combining scenario thinking with formal project evaluation (after appropriate translations). The paper concludes with a general discussion of scenario planning, to place it in a broader perspective.

Journal

Journal of ForecastingWiley

Published: Nov 1, 1991

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