Vision Workshop

1. Purpose

The Vision Workshop is probably one of the most important workshops for shaping the company's future for a given fiscal year. We discuss and answer strategic questions that help build a Picture of the Future (with the help of a designer) together with the management of a company or business division. This picture becomes the "north star" for all strategic management decisions and many operational decisions made by employees. The workshop discussion draws on the results of a Step 2: Inspire that usually takes place ahead of the Vision Workshop.

To structure the discussion in the workshop, a Picture of the Future template helps you bring the right questions into the workshop in the right order, and document the results for the next step.

2. Duration

2 full days + preparation and documentation

3. Participants

• Project Sponsor

• C-Level Managers as Team Members

• Team Coach

• Designer

4. Preparation

As a Team Member

Until now, others have done the heavy lifting and gathered inspiring insights for you. Be open-minded about these insights. Not everything will be relevant — some ideas may be too far-fetched, others may not be technically feasible. Never mind! The purpose here is to help you stretch your mind to think about the future, not the present. Consider even "unrealistic" ideas and ask yourself: "What can we do to make this happen?"

The Vision Workshop can easily turn into two stressful days packed with content and a real shift in perspective. At the end, though, getting clarity about the company's vision — and maybe your own role in it — is valuable for all participants, and for the employees, customers, and partners of the company.

As a Team Coach

As a Team Coach, make sure you prepare the results of the previous inspirational research phase properly. Document all results well, on large-scale posters, favouring stories over too many facts and figures — it's about stories and inspiration! Participants of the Vision Workshop need to understand and digest the content in a short timeframe. A designer can be a great help in visualising the content. Schedule your designer of choice for the second day accordingly (see agenda below), and brief them properly — they should know the idea behind the workshop and what to expect from the briefing.

Since the Vision Workshop stretches over at least two days, schedule 2-3 full days for execution, plus the same amount of time for preparation and documentation.

5. Signs of Success

We consider the Vision Workshop as a success...

• ...if the research team from the previous phase manages to inspire the management team and get them thinking and reflecting

• ...if the management team picks up the insights and ideas of the research team

• ...if the management team is able to think about the future — not the present — for 90% of the workshop time

• ...if the management team gets into tough discussions and uncovers surprising similarities as well as differences in perception

• ...if the management team can't wait to tell the future "story" to the designer

• ...if the participants already discuss scenarios for when and how to use the final "Picture of the Future"

• ...if the management team can't wait to see the first version of the "Picture of the Future"

6. Tools & Materials

• 1x "Moderation Wall" with purpose and agenda

• 1x "Sponsor's view" carpet

• 2x Pin boards or large foam boards & moderation kit

• 1x Flip chart with paper

• 1x Picture of the Future template

• 1x Time Timer

• Optional: "You are now leaving your comfort zone" carpet

• Optional: 1x Anti-Bullsh*t Spray

• Optional: Customer's Glasses

7. Room & Infrastructure

• 1x Empty wall: > 2020 x 200cm

• 1x Empty wall: > 220 x 90 cm

• Chairs or cube seats

• 1x Low-distance projector or large screen

• 1x Table for catering

• Hot & cold drinks, snacks or finger food

8. Example Agenda

Physical Workshop:

Day 1

Day 2

* P = Presentation | D = Discussion | B = Break | T = Teamwork

Virtual Workshop:

Day 1

Day 2

* P = Presentation | D = Discussion | B = Break | T = Teamwork