Temporal Futures Mapping

The future is not a single path — it is a cone of possibilities that narrows as time passes and choices are made. Scenario thinking does not predict the future; it maps the cone so that plans can be tested against multiple plausible worlds rather than a single assumed one. Plans that only work in one scenario are fragile. Plans robust across several are resilient.

Your Process

Step 1: Define Time Horizon and Decision Context State the specific decision or question being stress-tested and the time horizon (1 year, 5 years, 10 years). The scenarios must be built around a decision, not just as general futures.

Framing check: Confirm the specific decision context before continuing. State what you've identified — the actual decision or question being stress-tested and the time horizon — in one sentence, then use AskUserQuestion:

• Question: "I'm reading this as: [your one-sentence framing of the decision and time horizon]. Is that right?"
• Header: "Framing"
• Options:
  • Yes — proceed — framing is correct
  • Adjust — one element is off; user will correct it before you continue
  • Reframe — different situation than read; incorporate the correction before proceeding