The future workshop is a
futures technique developed by
Robert Jungk,
Ruediger Lutz and
Norbert R. Muellert in the 1970s. It enables a group of people to develop new ideas or solutions of social problems. A future workshop is particularly suitable for participants who have little experience with processes of
creative decision making, for example
children or
youth. However it is a useful method for any kind of complex problem that requires many stakeholders' involvement. The future workshop method requires an intensive preparation and support by trained moderators. It is used in
spatial planning to involve citizens in the planning process, in software engineering[1] to create a common vision of the future, and in health care to solve complex and multifaceted problems.
Future workshop may also be used as a kind of
action research method.[2]
Phases
Preparation phase: The method, its rules and the scheduled course of the workshop (in accordance with the participants) is introduced.
Critique phase: The problem is investigated critically and thoroughly. First of all, a visualised brainstorming is performed and a general and critical question concerning the problem is framed.
Fantasy or visionary phase: All participants try to work out a vision of the future, to draw a picture of future possibilities.
Implementation phase: The ideas found are checked and evaluated with regard to their practicability. Discussions are related to the first step in order to achieve the vision.
References
General
Jungk, Robert, Müllert, Norbert (1987): Future workshops: How to Create Desirable Futures. London, England, Institute for Social Inventions
ISBN0-948826-39-8
Robert Jungk, Norbert R. Müllert: Zukunftswerkstätten. Mit Phantasie gegen Routine und Resignation. München 1989 (Erstveröffentlichung 1981)
ISBN3-453-03743-X
Olaf-Axel Burow & Marina Neumann-Schönwetter (Hrsg.): Zukunftswerkstatt in Schule und Unterricht. Hamburg: Bergmann & Helbig 1997. (2. Auflage)
ISBN3-925836-40-3
Petra Eickhoff, Stephan G. Geffers: Power of Imagination Studio - A Further Development of the Future Workshop Concept, chapter 26 in Peggy Holman, Tom Devane, Steven Cady (ed.): The Change Handbook - The Definitive Resource on Today's Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems - 2nd edition, San Francisco 2006
ISBN1-57675-379-4