Strategy & Leadership

Purpose – The authors illustrate how the Dynamic Scenario Learning Process works in practice.

Design/methodology/approach – A case showing how “Forward Bank” used the DSLP to discover crucial inter-relationships that were not intuitively obvious.

Findings – Forward's scenarios provided a year's head start on understanding how to manage the dotcom collapse and the 9/11 attacks. Because managers had considered how to implement the robust strategies and apply contingent strategies as unfolding events merited, they were better prepared.

Research limitations/implications – The DSLP is not just a strategic planning tool; it is also an instrument of leadership.

Practical implications – The DSLP process creates bonds within the organization as everyone from senior leaders to front line employees across business lines and functions share a common language to communicate their insights into future possibilities. Narratives based on a DSG are easy to grasp and can be widely disseminated throughout the organization.

Originality/value – The case demonstrates how to use a scenario tool to achieve widespread learning so that an organization is well prepared to rapidly adapt to discontinuity.