A LIFE-CENTRED DESIGN LAB TOOL
Holistic Futures Wheel
A life-centred Design Tool to map potential future impacts of an idea or activity on all life.
ABOUT THIS TOOL
The original Futures Wheel was invented by futurist Jerome C. Glenn in 1971 as a tool to explore the consequences of a change. The Futures Wheel is often used in the early stages of strategy to help shape a plan. However, it can be used at any time a decision is made that might impact multiple scenarios. Basically, you write your idea or change at the centre, then brainstorm potential impacts it has, and then brainstorm the consequences of combining those various impacts.
WHY THIS TOOL IS IMPORTANT
The Holistic Futures Wheel provides reminders to include consideration of impacts upon more than humanity’s interests.
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1
Write your Challenge (idea/decision/change) in the centre.
Step 2
Imagine this challenge actually occurs, and identify (brainstorm or research) possible direct consequences. These can be positive, negative, or neutral. Write them in the first ring around the Challenge in the centre.
Step 3
Identify indirect consequences generated by the direct consequences. Use the connecting lines to help you think of what indirect results the combined effects of two direct results might generate. These lines are just a guide, feel free to ignore/remove as needed.
Step 4
Extend into new rings of indirect results as many times as desired. Feel free to go into third or more levels of consequences.
Step 5
Analyze for next steps-consider how to improve or manage the negative impacts, enhance and leverage the positive, and remove or energise the neutral.
TOOL OPTIONS
Lead the way by redesigning your products and business to be:
- Values-driven
- Future-focused
- Life-centred
“Super helpful tools for designers… I’ll be sharing them with the students.”
“The ideas really resonated with me as I’ve felt this growing unease with human centred design’s echo chamber”
“An amazing book about the topic.”
