about FUTURE SEARCH

"A future search is a large group planning meeting that brings a 'whole system' into the room to work on a task-focused agenda.... In a future search, people have a chance to take ownership of their past, present, and future, confirm their mutual values, and commit to action plans grounded in reality." (Marvin Weisbord, co-developer w. Sandra Janoff of Future Search)

How a FUTURE SEARCH conference differs from other models for conference-based strategic, organizational learning and vision-building


The whole system participates – a cross section of as many interested stakeholders as is practical.
That means more diversity and less hierarchy than is usual in a working meeting, and a chance for each person to be heard and to learn other ways of looking at the Task at hand.

Future scenarios – for an organization, community or issue – are put into historical and global perspective. That means thinking globally together before acting
locally. This feature enhances shared understanding and greater commitment to act. It also increases range of potential actions.

People self-manage their work, and use dialogue -- not “problem-solving” as their main tool. That means helping each other do the tasks and taking responsibility for our perceptions and actions.

Common ground rather than “conflict management” is the frame of reference. That means honoring our differences rather than having to reconcile them.

A Future Search conference is by design: experiential, collaborative, constructive, and focused on building a foundation for positive, practical change.

Future Search Interview Marvin Weisbord & Sandra Janoff from KaapZ - Vorm, Inhoud en Proces on Vimeo.

Catalyst Consulting Group has done and does Future Search for companies, schools and universities, cities, and, non-profit organizations.
For more information on Future Search, sample agendas, and, to review our entire repertoire of strength-based, whole system, tools, 216-791-7802