Sarah Verwei collaborates with the European Space Agency (ESA) as a futurist, utilizing a set of specialized tools to enhance ESA's strategic planning and innovation processes. Her work with ESA involves leveraging her expertise in systems thinking and future studies to help the organization navigate the complexities of space exploration and technology development. Here are some of the key tools she uses in this context:
1. **Horizon Scanning**: Identifying emerging trends, technologies, and potential disruptions in the space industry. This tool helps ESA stay ahead of new developments and prepare for future challenges and opportunities.
2. **Roadmapping**: Creating detailed, time-based plans that outline the steps needed to achieve long-term goals in space exploration and technology. This helps ESA in setting priorities and aligning resources with strategic objectives.
3. **Cross-Impact Analysis**: Assessing how different future events, trends, and technological advancements might interact and impact ESA's missions and projects. This tool aids in understanding potential synergies and conflicts.
4. **Scenario Planning**: Developing multiple, plausible future scenarios to explore potential paths for space exploration and technology development. This allows ESA to test strategies against various possible futures.
5. **Systems Mapping**: Visualizing the complex systems within ESA's operations, including technological, organizational, and environmental factors. This helps in identifying key interdependencies and leverage points.
6. **Delphi Method**: Engaging a panel of space industry experts in iterative rounds of questioning to gather insights and reach a consensus on future trends and scenarios. This method leverages collective intelligence to inform strategic decisions.
7. **Futures Wheel**: A brainstorming tool that maps out the direct and indirect consequences of a particular change or event in the space industry. This helps ESA anticipate ripple effects and secondary impacts.
8. **Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)**: Evaluating the maturity of technologies and their readiness for deployment in space missions. This tool helps in prioritizing research and development efforts.
9. **Environmental Scanning**: Systematically collecting and analyzing information about external factors, such as political, economic, social, and technological changes, that could impact ESA's future missions and strategies.
10. **Stakeholder Analysis**: Identifying and understanding the needs, interests, and influence of various stakeholders involved in or affected by ESA's activities. This helps in building strong collaborations and managing stakeholder expectations.
By integrating these tools, Sarah Verwei and Josef helping in and through ESA anticipate future challenges, explore innovative solutions, and develop robust strategies to advance space exploration and technology development. Acting in Flow -
The Lagoon Nebula ✨
The whole nebula, about 4000 light-years away, is an incredible 55 light-years wide and 20 light-years tall. This image shows only a small part of this turbulent star-formation region, about four light-years across.👉https://lnkd.in/eNSGVqQD
Credits: NASA, ESA, STScI
ESA Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes Space Telescope Science Institute NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Strategic Growth Leader, Board Member
5moThat’s out of this world!