Phase 2 of 4
Envisioning
Unlocking imagination and conversations around desired futures
The envisioning phase helps to unlock imagination and start conversations around desired futures of ecosystems we care for.
Key Tips
Suggested Tools
PURPOSE & OUTCOMES
Future thinking encourages us to challenge the status quo of ecosystems by rethinking their purpose and outcomes towards a more equitable, inclusive, and just world.
Starting Questions
- What future state of the ecosystem are you passionate about working towards?
- What would the purpose of the ecosystem be?
- What new qualities would it bring?
- What outcomes would the ecosystem produce over time?
Tips
- - Identify the desired purpose together with other key actors
- - Take time to consider unintended consequences
- - A "fuzzy" purpose can be a good starting point
Tools
VALUES & CORE BELIEFS
Our values and core beliefs regarding ourselves, others, and the world around us, are deeply ingrained within our ecosystems. Reimagining these core beliefs and values can help catalyze transformative change processes towards the highest potential of our ecosystems.
Starting Questions
- What values and core beliefs would underpin the ecosystem you are envisioning?
- What kind of narratives would be needed to support a shift in core beliefs?
- What narratives already exist? What narratives would need to be crafted?
- How can we ground ourselves and connect with our collective wisdom?
Tips
- - Be aware that shifts on this level require time and care
- - Hold space
- - Bring in arts, artists, and artistic expression
Tools
ACTORS & ROLES
Actors, whether organizations or individuals, and their interactions are at the heart of all human ecosystems. However, more important than the actors are the specific roles that those actors take on within an ecosystem.
Starting Questions
- What roles would be vital to ensure ecosystem resilience?
- What new actors and roles would emerge?
- Who would ideally step into these roles?
- Are there any actors who should step out of a role?
- What might your role be?
Tips
- - Check whose voice is missing
- - Iterate
Tools
CONNECTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS
Social ecosystems are made up of people. Connections and relationships are the essence and fabric of every human ecosystem. They occur between actors playing particular roles and can be characterized along several dimensions.
Starting Questions
- What new qualities would existing connections and relationships get in the envisioned ecosystem?
- What connections would need to be made and what relationships would need to be modeled and nurtured between actors?
Tips
- - Take the values and core beliefs of the envisioned ecosystem as a starting point
Tools
RESOURCES
Resources refer to the various elements that ecosystems require to function and thrive within their social environments. These resources can be tangible or intangible, and play a crucial role in shaping the connections, relationships, and overall well-being of the ecosystem.
Starting Questions
- What resources are essential for creating and sustaining a desirable future?
- How could we democratize access to resources within the ecosystem?
- How could a regenerative approach to resource management look?
- What would flow through relationships and connections in the desired ecosystem?
Tips
- - De-individualize resources (think in roles not people!)
Tools
RULES & NORMS
Rules, norms, and principles refer to the formal laws, regulations, and statutes as well as less formal norms, incentives, and common expectations that influence the structure of the ecosystem and the way it functions.
Starting Questions
- What rules (formal), norms, and principles (informal) will be needed to enable the ecosystem to thrive?
- What is needed to ensure these rules are enforced effectively and equitably?
- How flexible should rules, norms, and principles be?
- Who would determine and who would enforce these rules?
Tips
- - Take the values and core beliefs of the envisioned ecosystem as a starting point
Tools
PULSE
The "pulse" of an ecosystem refers to collective intentions, as well as rhythmic patterns and energy dynamics that occur over time and give insights into the overall health, challenges, and resilience of the ecosystem.
Starting Questions
- What feelings and emotions would ideally arise for you when you interact with people in the ecosystem?
- How would people in the ecosystem be doing?
- What would the pace of life be like within the ecosystem?
Tips
- - Take the values and core beliefs of the desired ecosystem as a starting point
Tools
SENSEMAKING
Envisioning
Sensemaking is the process of deepening our awareness and understanding of complex environments. As a practice, it enables us to formulate better questions, even if we don't always arrive at a concrete answer.
Starting Questions
- What do you notice when you look at the envisioned ecosystem?
- What do you think about what you are noticing?
- How does it make you feel?
- What patterns do you spot across the envisioned ecosystem?
- What does it feel like to host other people's dreams?
- What questions do you have now?
Tips
- - Tell the story about the envisioned future to other actors in the ecosystem
- - Document feedback