The Search Conference In Active Adaptive Planning

Abstract

The search conference is an experiential learning setting designed to stimulate active adaptation to turbulent environments. It has been used in a wide variety of contexts. Two critical dimensions are the structuring of the search conference task and the social organization of the participants. The general strategy is to explore issues in the future of the organization or larger social system being planned for in the context of trends in the wider society, to generate shared images of desirable futures which can guide choices between strategies. Search conferences usually produce proposals which must be negotiated with larger stakeholder groups and participants often develop networks which support their own ongoing activity. Several factors external and internal to the search conference may influence the outcomes.