Roadmapping: facilitation worksheet
Published 29 August 2024
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This worksheet is for the user to adapt and fill in as needed – timings and wording are suggestions only and will need to be tailored to the user’s context. Read other Futures Toolkit resources.
Scoping question:
Participants:
| Time | Activity | Content | Notes | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| -00:30 | Set up | Display the scoping question prominently. In person: notepads, pens, post-its, flip chart paper to line the wall to create a timeline. Virtual: prepare your virtual whiteboard with roadmapping templates. You will need to be able to use breakout rooms. | If you are working virtually, you may need an introduction to the online whiteboard before you start or send a short “how- to guide”. You should ensure that all attendants have short descriptions of the scenarios/visions | |
| 00:00 (5 mins) | Introduction and agenda | Introduce the aims of the project/recap as needed. Explain how this workshop fits in with any wider futures process. Then, introduce the workshop, what people will do and what the outcomes will be. Share the agenda | Slide 1: Introduction to Roadmapping. Outline of workshop/agenda | |
| Introduction to Roadmapping | ||||
| 00:05 (5 mins) | Roadmaps | Roadmaps are structured visual representations that support the development and communication of strategy. They help you to identify the objectives, strategies and policies you will need to achieve your preferred future. They help you to take a longer-term perspective | Slide 2: Example roadmap | |
| Agree the scope | ||||
| 00:10 (10 mins) | The preferred future | The preferred future may be one of a set of scenarios or it may be a single vision developed in a visioning workshop. Give a short presentation that explains: 1. How the future was developed. 2. Its key characteristics and outcomes | Slide 3: the preferred future. It may be useful to give participants a handout that describes the key characteristics of the preferred future or if working virtually, send in advance. | |
| 00:20 (40 mins) | Build a shared understanding of the future | Use experiential techniques, such as “Day in the Life”, to help people understand the complexity of the future. Agree an overarching strategic objective for the vision. Identify the key differences between the present and the preferred future. | Split into groups. Share in plenary for the last 10 mins | |
| Create a draft roadmap | ||||
| 01:00 (40 mins) | Rapid prototyping a roadmap | Look at the strategic objective/main focus for your scenario/vision as the end point. Your starting point is where you are today. Identify the key differences between the present and the preferred future. Think of 3–6 actions/events/decisions that will need to happen in order to reach your end point – plot these on your timeline to create a roadmap. Add in any relevant external events and drivers. Share in plenary. Choose which roadmaps to develop further, or combine them. | In groups for 30 mins. Add in any relevant external events and drivers that might shape the policy area under consideration. 10 mins in plenary | |
| 01:40 (10 mins) | Break | |||
| Develop timelines | ||||
| 01:50 (60 mins) | Refine and develop the timelines | Debate and challenge the milestones on the roadmap. Identify dependencies between milestones – do other things need to happen first? Nominate key actors for each milestone. Decide if you need to take some elements away for further research or to get input from people with particular expertise. | In groups. Plenary discussion in the last 10 minutes | |
| 02:50 | Close | Questions? Thank you. |
| Time | Activity | Content | Notes | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| Presentation | |||||
| Produce an attractive visual representation. Share to generate engagement. | Outside the workshop |