Strategic Foresight - a robust method for dealing with adaptive problems.
Most organisations struggle when it comes to adapting to change. Whether it's a new market, technology, or regulation, adapting can be difficult. However, there is a way to address these adaptive problems head-on. Strategic foresight offers a robust and systematic way of dealing with change that can help your organisation succeed. By using strategic foresight, you can anticipate changes before they happen and plan accordingly. This will allow your organisation to be more agile and responsive to the ever-changing world around you.
Why are adaptive problems occurring?
Adaptive problems occur when organisations are faced with situations that require individuals throughout the organisation to alter their traditional ways of thinking to effectively address them. These types of issues are often challenging to solve, as typical problem-solving approaches and existing knowledge may not be sufficient for addressing them.
Adaptive problems can occur when an organisation's business model fails to change sufficiently as the world around it changes. By remaining static and not adapting over time the business model loses its ability to deliver impact and future growth. In this type of situation, adaptive change is required to adapt the business model and its leadership and bring them more in line with current and future operating contexts.
Often, a common source of adaptive problems is when an organisation fails to sufficiently support innovation. This is commonly due to a lack of resources or support for innovation, which prevents new ideas and methods from being created, assessed and implemented. In this case, adaptive change is necessary to create an environment that is more conducive to innovation and allows new ideas and new ways of thinking to thrive.
What's the difference between technical and adaptive problems?
Technical problems can often be solved by applying existing knowledge and methods, whereas adaptive problems require new ways of thinking. Technical problems are often more straightforward to understand, whereas adaptive problems tend to be more complex. Technical problems can often be solved by a single individual or team, whereas adaptive problems usually require input from multiple individuals and teams.
Solving adaptive problems delivers greater levels of impact and future growth over the longer term by creating an environment that is conducive to innovation and change. On the other hand, technical solutions often only offer short-term fixes and do not address the underlying cause of the problem.
What are some ways to make progress with adaptive problems?
There are a few key things that need to be done to make progress with adaptive problems. First, it's important to recognise that these types of issues are often much more complex than traditional technical problems. As such, they require a different approach and mindset when it comes to solving them.
Second, rather than trying to apply existing knowledge and methods, it's important to focus on creating a holistic and collaborative approach that involves a diverse range of key stakeholders. This will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the problem and the different ways it can be addressed.
Third, using strategic foresight can be a useful tool for addressing adaptive problems. Strategic foresight is based on an understanding of a range of future operating contexts and helps for-purpose organisations to identify the types of changes that are likely to occur. By understanding how futures might unfold, it becomes possible to plan and make more effective decisions around adaptive change.
Overall, making progress with adaptive problems often requires a proactive approach and a willingness to step outside of traditional methods and approaches. By engaging with all stakeholders, using strategic foresight, and being open to new ways of thinking, it's possible to make progress and drive real change.
What are the challenges in fixing adaptive problems?
One of the main challenges organisations face when trying to address adaptive problems is resistance from individuals who are reluctant to change their ways. This can be due to several factors, such as fear of failure, negative attitudes towards change, and lack of support from leadership.
Another challenge is that adaptive problems are often complex and multi-faceted, making them difficult to understand and address in isolation. This means that it is important to take a comprehensive and collaborative approach when trying to solve them, by gathering perspectives from different individuals throughout the organisation and developing a well-thought-out plan of action.
Finally, organisations need to be aware that adaptive problems often take time to fix, and there is no quick or easy solution. This means that patience and perseverance are important when trying to make progress with these types of issues.
How can strategic foresight play a role?
Strategic foresight is a systematic process for anticipating and planning for change. It helps organisations to see the bigger picture, identify patterns and trends, and make better decisions about futures. By using strategic foresight, organisations can anticipate changes before they happen and plan accordingly.
There are a few key ways in which strategic foresight can support leaders in managing adaptive problems effectively;
Strategic foresight can help leaders to anticipate and prepare for what might happen next. By understanding the potential future operating environments that businesses might face, it becomes possible to anticipate various challenges and develop plans to deal with them effectively.
Strategic foresight can help leaders to encourage open collaboration and communication between different stakeholders. When addressing adaptive problems, it's essential to have an open and collaborative approach that allows all stakeholders to share their perspectives and work together to develop effective solutions. By fostering these kinds of collaborative relationships, it becomes possible to resolve adaptive problems more effectively and successfully.
Strategic foresight can help leaders to encourage experimentation and innovation. To come up with new and effective solutions for adaptive problems, it's important to encourage diverse perspectives and new ways of thinking. By using strategic foresight techniques such as scenario planning and horizon scanning, businesses can identify emerging trends or changes in their operating environment that may trigger adaptive problems, and develop appropriate strategies to address them.
Overall, strategic foresight can play a key role in helping businesses to make progress with adaptive problems by supporting leaders in anticipating future challenges and developing innovative solutions.
Adaptive problems are complex and often difficult to address. However, by taking a proactive approach and using tools like strategic foresight, for-purpose organisations can make progress in solving these types of issues. By anticipating changes, fostering collaboration and experimentation, and encouraging new ways of thinking, it's possible to drive real change and overcome the challenges that arise when working on delivering impact and future growth.
insight & foresight supports CEOs and Boards to use foresight to deliver adaptive change. Contact us to get started today.
