Curriculum Material Library (CSP)
The Curriculum Library brings together a growing collection of resources for teaching and learning in foresight and exploratory scenario planning. Focused on curricular materials, it includes syllabi, reading lists, and classroom exercises that can be adapted across courses, institutions, and learning contexts. More than a repository of documents, the library is intended as an accessible space that helps democratize futures literacy by broadening access to tools for long-term thinking.
We deeply appreciate the contributions that have helped grow the Curriculum Library. If you would like to be part of this collective effort, we welcome submissions of syllabi, teaching materials, and other curricular resources that may benefit the broader scenario planning community. To collaborate and share your materials, please contact us.
Submit materialsLincoln Institute of Land Policy | Sample Syllabus
Adaptable template for instructors and training programs
Undergraduate, Graduate, Professional | Seminar or workshop-based course | 8 weeks (modular structure)
Methods
Scenario planning · Horizon scanning · Trend and signal analysis · Driving forces analysis · Exploratory Scenario Planning (XSP) · Stakeholder engagement · Scenario tools (ArcGIS Urban · UrbanFootprint · CommunityViz)
Themes
Urban and regional planning · Public policy · Community futures · Decision-making under uncertainty · Strategic foresight
Assignments
Scenario planning process design · Driving forces analysis · 2×2 scenario matrix · Scenario narratives · Stakeholder engagement workshop design · Monitoring indicators and policy response strategies
Land Use and Spatial Planning Methods
Cornell University | CRP 5530
Jenni Minner
Graduate | Lecture + lab | 4 credits
Methods
Scenario planning · GIS · Land-use inventories · Suitability analysis · Zoning reform
Themes
Urban planning · Sustainability · Climate adaptation · Equity in planning
Assignments
Memos · GIS lab exercises · Scenario planning analysis · Final exam
Scenario Planning: Tools to Navigate Uncertain Futures in Territorial Planning
University of the Andes | Colombia
Adriana Hurtado Tarazona | Giovanni Pérez
Graduate, Professional | Blended (online sessions + workshops) | 8 weeks
Methods
Exploratory Scenario Planning (XSP) · Horizon scanning · Megatrends and signals analysis · Driving forces mapping · Scenario construction · Strategy design
Themes
Territorial planning · Public policy · Climate change · Planning under uncertainty · Latin America
Assignments
Focal question development · Megatrend and signal mapping · Scenario construction and description · Strategy selection report · Final presentation
Scenario Planning
University of Michigan | URP 526
Robert Goodspeed
Graduate | Seminar + project-based studio | Semester
Methods
Scenario planning · Driving forces and uncertainty analysis · Qualitative scenario narratives · GIS-based planning support systems (UrbanFootprint) · Systems modeling · Scenario visualization
Themes
Urban planning · Climate resilience · Uncertainty in public decision-making · Regional futures · Planning methods
Assignments
Trends and stakeholder research · Scenario narrative development · Site scenario modeling · Scenario visualization and communication · Planning horizons memo · Final presentation and report
Place-Based Scenario Planning for the Climate Emergency
Harvard University Graduate School of Design | VIS 2466
Kira Clingen
Graduate | Seminar + design studio | Semester
Methods
Scenario planning · Climate visualization · Spatial storytelling · Climate data synthesis · Diagramming and mapping · Design speculation
Themes
Climate adaptation · Built environment · Landscape and urban design · Environmental communication · Climate justice
Assignments
Climate history dossier · Climate visualization exercises · Scenario development · Design proposals · Final presentation
Mastering Foresight: Scenario-Based Planning
LBL Strategies
Robin Champ
Professional, Executive training | Intensive workshop | 5-day course
Methods
Strategic foresight · Horizon scanning · PESTLE analysis · Futures Wheel · Scenario matrix (2×2) · Scenario narratives · Backcasting · Capability gap analysis
Themes
Strategic planning · Organizational futures · Decision-making under uncertainty · Foresight facilitation
Assignments
Futures Wheel exercise · Scenario narrative development · Scenario workshop design · Capability gap analysis · Final team scenario briefing
Futures Thinking and Strategy
University of Colorado Denver | PPOL 2701
Stefan Chavez-Norgaard
Undergraduate, Graduate | Seminar + project-based course | Semester
Methods
Futures thinking · Horizon scanning · Trend and signal analysis · Scenario planning · Systems thinking · Strategic foresight tools
Themes
Public policy · Governance · Social change · Strategic planning under uncertainty · Future of cities and communities
Assignments
Futures research briefs · Trend and signal analysis · Scenario development · Strategic implications analysis · Final team project and presentation