Int. J. Technology Intelligence and Planning, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2012 233
Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Exploring the arts of crafting and delivering scenarios
Thomas J. Chermack* and Laura Coons
Colorado State University,
Colorado Technical University,
1865 West 121st Avenue,
Building C, Suite 100,
Westminster, CO 80234, USA
E-mail: tjcher@aol.com
E-mail: lcoons@coloradotech.edu
*Corresponding author
Abstract: This article explores the arts of crafting and delivering scenarios.
Scenario literature is quite clear about the general scenario development
process, but little guidance is offered when it comes to actually sitting down
and writing scenario narratives. In addition, even less guidance is available for
those learning how to deliver scenarios to an audience. In other words, writing
and delivering scenarios are two key practical activities, for which there is little
assistance to the novice. The goal of this article was to review any available
published literature on these two topics, and add to it our expertise in hopes of
providing the novice scenario facilitator with some detailed information about
how to accomplish these two critical pieces of scenario planning. Implications
for human resource development research, theory, and practice are described
and outlined, as well as implications for much needed additional research.
Keywords: writing scenarios; facilitating scenario planning; delivering
scenarios.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Chermack, T.J. and
Coons, L. (2012) ‘Exploring the arts of crafting and delivering scenarios’,
Int. J. Technology Intelligence and Planning, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp.233–253.
Biographical notes: Thomas J. Chermack is an Associate Professor of
Organisational Performance and Change at Colorado State University where
he also directs the Scenario Planning Institute. His research focuses on the
theories and outcomes of scenario planning.
Laura Coons is the Director of Faculty Development Colorado Technical
University and her research interests focus on the facilitation of scenario
planning and narrative development in strategic contexts.
1 Exploring the arts of crafting and delivering scenarios
Scenario planning literature is clear on the scenario development process (Chermack
2011; Georgantzas and Acar, 1995; Ringland, 1998, 2005; Schwartz, 1991; van der
Heijden, 1997, 2005). In fact, the scenario development process is the most thoroughly
documented aspect of scenario planning (Schwartz, 1991; van der Heijden, 1997, 2005).