Case Studies

Framing the Future Case Study - The University of Namibia (UNAM) Experience

Ken Hubbell and Associates (KHA) collaborated on a regional initiative in Namibia, Southern Africa by helping the University of Namibia create and implement a regional development plan built around expanded access to public education, micro-small business support, heritage and artisan market development and collaborative leadership. KHA guided the University of Namibia staff through a scenario-based strategic planning process for northern Namibia and the northern campus of the university.

UNAM Coaching Project - Sponsored by MDC, Inc. and funded by the Ford Foundation

Objectives

Carry out Strategic thinking and planning for the future-scenarios, mental models as tools
Determining skill sets of staff
Coaching teams to expand their individual learning

KHA Strategy

We used a 10-step scenario planning process:

Determining the "focal question" for imagining the future
Developing a sense of current trends and forces in the North in the last decade
Consolidating a list of the most powerful forces that may continue to shape the region's future: which ones are predetermined and uncertain?
Narrowing the list of forces to a list of 8-10 "key forces"
Developing each item on the list as a continuum with indicators for the Optimum and Limited states
Selecting the 2 Driving Forces that will be the most potent shapers of the region's possible futures: those that are simultaneously the most important and most uncertain.
Creating a grid from the 2 Driving Forces to build 4 possible futures
Creating the four possible futures
Examining the implications, opportunities and demands for the Northern Campus in each of these possible futures
Identify the "next steps" for the campus team to refine strategies that respond to the critical issues and "openings"

Step 1: What is the focus of the scenario?

Using scenarios as an "outside-in" process, we started with a big picture of the entire northern region, and then tightened the focus inward toward UNAM itself. To start, though the major focus for the scenario planning was around this question:

How will Northern Namibia develop in the next decade?

Step 2: Developing a Snapshot of the Recent and Current Forces in the North

We split the group into four small work groups, each one took one major area and tried to incorporate their "reading" of recent history and events as a quick "scan." Each group tried to incorporate technologic change and adoption into their field. The four groups were:

Social
Political
Education
Economy

How KHA Tools Were Used in this Process

Change Mapping: KHA produced dozens of drawings and graphics depicting the history and context of the Initiative. We also used change mapping to visually capture new processes and ideas as they emerged throughout our workshops and institutes.
Trend Tracking: This scenario planning process provided UNAM with a tool to help them plan their work through uncertain futures.

Results

The full staff actively participated in its third annual planning retreat where they were introduced to the process of scenario planning as an imaginative tool for anticipating the future and the group produced four solid scenarios along with some new objectives for the campus in gearing up for possible changes in the northern region.
At least six faculty members committed to participate in a coaching learning community and will study and practice the art and techniques of team and project coaching with assistance from Ken Hubbell through electronic channels and on site in Oshakati.
The country's president volunteered to participate in a series of fundraising events in the North alongside several key regional governors who have maintained serious supportive relationships with the Northern Campus.

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