Strategic Foresight for Emerging Technology
Hosted by Ramy Nassar of 1000 Days Out
Dates: May 18th, 20th, May 25th, May 27th
Time: 9 am -11 am
The retail cost of this program is $1,500 +HST.
**Eligible DNS Members can access WIPSI funding through DNS to cover 50-100% of the cost of this program. Please check our programs page to read more about funding eligibility and how to apply.
Course Description:
It has been said that you shouldn’t drive a car while only looking in the rearview mirror – similarly strategic foresight is the practice of understanding how trends, technology advances, and other factors can shape future operating and innovation environments.
Designed as an interactive and challenging introduction to strategic foresight, this training program will introduce the practice as it relates to emerging technology. As organizations are increasingly investing in and adopting new ideas, a clear understanding of how market, technological and organizational forces can impact future needs is vitally important.
The practice of strategic foresight borrows from the fields of design thinking, market intelligence, competitive analysis, and customer experience design to uncover how these factors will impact Organizations. The sessions will introduce a range of disruptive technologies as well as helping participants better think about how these technologies might threaten or positively impact their organization: AI, machine learning, data analytics, and robotic process automation (RPA) Blockchain and distributed ledger systems Augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR)
The training will be delivered online in 4 sessions over 2 weeks, and challenge participants to apply their learnings directly to their own teams/organizations. Using a range of modern tools (virtual breakout group discussions, shared interactive whiteboards, and group polling/voting mechanics), these sessions will create engagement and offer participants valuable peer-to-peer network building opportunities.
At the end of the program, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the technologies listed above and how to think about the potential impacts (both threats and opportunities) that they can have on their organization.
This course is designed for:
C-suite level staff, directors and managers of small-medium businesses and enterprises that are looking at how technologies will impact future strategies, operations and development.
Online Course Schedule:
The program will be delivered over 2 weeks, with 2 workshops per week. The follow-up sessions and peer-to-peer groups will happen in subsequent weeks and be scheduled between the instructor and participants.
Week 1: May 18th & 20th, 9 am-11 am
- Workshop #1- 2 Hours, including group breakout sessions & exercises
- Workshop #2- 2 Hours, including group breakout sessions & exercises
After week 1, participants will be asked to complete a framing & scanning exercise based on a case study introduced during the workshop. While optional, going through this exercise independently will help reinforce the core topics and methods introduced in the workshop. The workshop facilitator will be available to support participants through this process, as required.
Week 2: May 25th & 27th, 9 am-11 am
- Workshop #3 – 2 Hours, including group breakout sessions & exercises
- Workshop #4 – 2 Hours, including group breakout sessions & exercises
Peer-to-peer Community of Practice Sessions #1, #2 – 90 minutes each (scheduled by students and instructor after weeks 1&2)
About the Instructor:
Ramy is a Canadian engineer, designer and author. As the former Managing Director of Design & Strategy for Architech and Head of Innovation for Mattel, he has led teams in the creation of new digital products, services & platforms. Ramy leads a digital studio called 1000 Days Out that helps organizations leverage emerging technology to transform customer experiences.
With a background in computer engineering and Design Thinking, Ramy has straddled technical, design, and business-oriented roles, for clients including Cadillac Fairview, Apple, Air Canada, Facebook, New Balance, Rogers and CIBC. He is also a regular speaker at international events including World Usability Congress, IxDA, FITC, AI Everything, Machine Learning Exchange, AI Business Summit and World Mobile Congress.
Ramy teaches Design Thinking at McMaster University and in the Master's of Engineering, Innovation & Entrepreneurship program at Ryerson University. Ramy is the author of the upcoming AI Product Design Handbook, set for release in late 2020.
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