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Hybrid working: planning for the future
Hybrid working: planning for the future

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Stage 5: Review the opportunities and challenges

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Figure 27 The gradual development of islands sketch scenarios over time
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The figure illustrates stages two, three and four of the islands in the sky methodology. It aims to show the gradual development of island sketch scenarios over a period of time. The figure contains five digitally created pictures, each is slightly different but all have at least one island floating in the sky with clouds, sun and birds around the island.

The first picture is of a blank island floating in the sky, this is the starting position in Stage two. The second picture of Stage two shows people located on the island.

The second picture of Stage two illustrates a transactional environment based on communications and relationships between people you interact with. The image contains a digitally created picture of an island floating in the sky with clouds, sun and birds in the sky around the island. On the island, several people are standing (with one being in a wheelchair) apart from each other, around a person located in the middle of the island. On the ground, below the island in the sky, is a cityscape on the left, with three people and a tree on the right.

The stage three picture illustrates the value of relationships between people you interact with. This figure contains a digitally created picture of an island floating in the sky with clouds, sun and birds in the sky around the island. On the island, several people are standing (with one being in a wheelchair) around a person located in the middle of the island. Lines have been drawn to connect the person in the middle of the island with the other people. Each line is labelled with the word ‘value’. On the ground, below the island in the sky, is a cityscape on the left, with three people and a tree on the right.

The stage four part A picture illustrates the uncertainties that shape and drive decisions made by entities on the island. The figure contains a digitally created picture of an island floating in the sky with clouds, suns, rain, storms and snow in the sky around the island. Several labels containing the word 'factor' also surround the island in the sky. On the island, several people are standing (with one being in a wheelchair) around a person located in the middle of the island. Lines have been drawn to connect the person in the middle of the island with the other people. Each line is labelled with the word ‘value’.

The stage four part b picture illustrates how multiple islands can be drawn as sketch scenarios, to explore how different combinations of factors might “wash ashore” and redraw the map of relationships in the future. The figure contains three digitally created pictures, each with an island floating in the sky with clouds, sun and birds around the island. Three labels containing the word 'factor' also surround each island in the sky; these labels have an arrow pointing to the island’s coast. The factor labels are in slightly different positions in each of the three pictures. On each of the three islands, several people are standing (with one being in a wheelchair) around a person located in the middle of the island. Lines have been drawn to connect the person in the middle of the island with the other people. Each line is labelled with the word ‘value’.

Figure 27 The gradual development of islands sketch scenarios over time

In the final part of the workshop, take time to review your island(s) and consider the implications, opportunities, and challenges. If this future came to pass, what would be the wisest choices for us to make today? How would our current decisions, policies, and values be judged by the inhabitants of that future island? Are there choices we can make which are resilient across a number of possible futures?

Discuss the experience with those who attended. It is useful to arrange a follow up session, because after the workshop participants will often reflect on what they have learned and consolidate their thinking. A follow up session provides a space for participants to share their reconsidered inputs, perhaps redraw their sketches and they may have additional views to talk about.

Review the opportunities and challenges further and then develop your options for the purposes required. The approach for developing options and presenting these to others will depend on the purpose of your workshop and your organisational needs.