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I’ve made several posts about how scenario planning (SP), which involves envisioning and planning for multiple futures an organization might face, is a critical tool for workforce and talent planning. One of my cheat sheets helps HR and business leaders align workforce plans with potential business scenarios. That said, SP can be hard to execute in practice, often requiring significant time, coordination, and expertise. A new MIT Sloan Management Review article shares ideas on how organizations can apply accelerated SP, including using AI as a brainstorming partner. One useful insight is how two companies, Fazer and Unum Ltd., have put these concepts into action. Fazer, a Nordic fast-moving consumer goods company, used this approach to identify a small set of critical assumptions related to climate change and the availability of key raw materials across its portfolio, including confectionery, bakery and breakfast products, plant-based drinks, and other food innovations. It then used AI to deepen research on environmental trends and turn workshop insights into scenarios that helped leaders rethink strategy, operations, and talent needs across different futures. While AI can speed up scenario creation and analysis, effective SP still depends on leaders’ judgment to assess plausibility and apply insights to talent and workforce decisions. Blending both approaches can provide a strategic advantage.
