About Future Search!

Future Search, developed by Marv Weisbord and Sandra Janoff, is a response to a world of non-stop change, increasing diversity, political turbulence, and social and economic complexity. It enables large, diverse groups to (1) confirm a common-ground vision, (2) take responsibility for action, and (3) commit to ongoing steps. 

Building on six decades of social science research, Weisbord and Janoff integrated insights from the fields of systems development, organizational change, social psychology and human behavior. Future Search, a living, learning laboratory is a unique way for systems to tackle their big issues and drive sustainable change. It is the planning method that most leaders choose and it’s often for one of two reasons: 1) I’ve tried everything else or 2) These principles fit my way of leading and I’m grateful there’s a way to bring them to life.

Future Search Principles

1. “Getting the whole system in the room” – People with Authority, Resources, Expertise, Information and Need.  (acronym ARE IN – right people ARE IN the room) 

2. Putting the focal issue in a global perspective, helping each person to see a bigger picture than usual. 

3. Seeking common ground and desirable futures, while treating problems and conflicts as information, not action items. 

4. People managing their own participation and taking responsibility for acting on what they learn.

Future Search is:

A set of principles for systems change, 

A meeting methodology based on principles for vision and strategy, 

A theory, philosophy and practice of facilitation,

A way to make the world a more sane, just, equitable and sustainable place, one meeting at a time.

Future Search Outcomes!

Many stories confirm our belief in the effectiveness of these principles. Here are the outcomes you can count on. 

A Shared Vision: Future Search aligns diverse stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands the strategic agenda and the direction of the system.

Teamwork: By involving a broad range of participants, it fosters inclusivity and value, leading to improved teamwork and commitment.

Dismantled Silos: It unites people from different parts of the system, helping to promote cross-boundary collaboration.

Solutions to Complex Issues: Future Search is ideal for tackling intricate problems that no single person or group can solve alone, encouraging a collective approach to finding solutions.

Trust: The process strengthens relationships and builds trust among participants, which is essential for effective collaboration.

Creativity: By incorporating diverse perspectives, Future Search sparks creative and innovative solutions.

Sustainable Change: Strategies developed collaboratively are more likely to be sustainable and achieve long-term success.

Empowered Participants: It gives everyone a voice in the decision-making process, leading to greater ownership and responsibility for the outcomes.

Assumptions Challenged: Many Future Search participants come with justifiable skepticism based on past experiences in unproductive meetings. In Future Search they set aside stereotypes and untested assumptions as they discover what can be accomplished in this new setting. Most participants, given this opportunity to learn and act together, will create a future no one thought was possible.

Our Journey So Far!

Since Future Search was developed in the 1990’s, over 6000 people have been trained in the process and many thousands of Future Searches have been run all over the world in every sector. In 1993, Marv and Sandra founded Future Search Network (FSN), a community of practitioners committed to learning, service and colleagueship. Future Search Network continues to be led by Sandra Janoff with Michael Donnelly, Co-director. (Meet the Team).

Over the years, large group meetings have become more mainstream but Future Search remains unique. It is called the Queen of Large Scale Interventions because many have said it is the most ingenious, inspiring, creative, and effective way to develop a shared vision, ambitions, and actions with the whole system in the room.