Institute for the Future
Forecasting Skills: See the Future Before it Happens
Institute for the Future

Forecasting Skills: See the Future Before it Happens

This course is part of Futures Thinking Specialization

Jane McGonigal

Instructor: Jane McGonigal

22,602 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(486 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 13 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(486 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 13 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Collect and Analyze SIGNALS OF CHANGE

  • Identify and Analyze GLOBAL DRIVERS OF CHANGE

  • Combine Signals and Drivers into FUTURE FORECASTS

  • Write SCENARIOS that tell a story about your FUTURE FORECAST

Details to know

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Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Futures Thinking Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 4 modules in this course

Welcome to our journey to the future! This week, you'll learn the basics: What's a future forecast? What makes a forecast good? What kind of data should I use to make my forecasts? By the end of the week, you'll be ready to analyze "drivers of change", and make your own first, tiny future forecast.

What's included

8 videos7 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

You've got the forecasting basics down. Now it's time to play and experiment with bigger ideas! This week, you'll take a look at some of the Institute for the Future's most interesting recent forecasts. Then, you'll practice combining signals and drivers of change to reveal your own surprising possibilities.

What's included

4 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

You've forecast the future! Now what? This week, you'll learn how to write scenarios. A scenario takes your forecast one step further. It tells a story about what might happen IF your forecast comes true. A scenario will help YOU evaluate: Am I ready for this future? Is this a future I want? Scenarios are fun. Let's go explore some!

What's included

5 videos4 readings1 assignment1 peer review3 discussion prompts

What happens if your forecast is wrong? What happens when a scenario you wrote actually comes true? This week, you'll learn how to update your forecasts and rethink your scenarios. With these techniques, you can make sure you're never "stuck" with old ways of thinking about possible futures.

What's included

3 videos5 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (154 ratings)
Jane McGonigal
Institute for the Future
6 Courses67,420 learners

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4.9

486 reviews

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