Removing the fear of uncertainty from the future: theory and practice

The most important results of our recent work, the culmination of a decade of global research involving several thousand managers and professionals from large organisations, are explored in terms of how long‐range planning may be undertaken more effectively by a wider range of organisations. Thus, it has proved possible to use (simpler) scenario techniques to explore their likely futures and then develop suitable robust strategies to address these – usually with only a minimal impact on the existing optimal corporate strategies. The paper also includes summaries of the wider evidence which validates the fundamental concepts underpinning the concepts involved, but – especially – it illustrates the developments by their use with Surrey County Council.