MN5502 Scenario Thinking and Strategy

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Option module available to students enrolled on the MLItt/MSc Programmes in International Business, Marketing and Management, Entrepreneurship and Finance and Management. (not available to the MSc Finance, the MSc Banking and Finance, the MSc Economics and Finance and the MSc Economics.)

Planned timetable

Three hour weekly seminars to include both lecture and tutorial content (11 weeks)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A M Brown

Dr A M Brown
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Anna Brown

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The aim of the module is to use the scenario process to understand how individuals can engage with uncertainty in operating environments in order to develop creative and robust strategies. The module makes use of the scenario process to integrate a number of important organisational development concepts that help to provide organisations with future vision and adaptability: organisational learning; storytelling, dynamic capabilities; and reflexive practices. The module content is centred around participative learning, through which small groups work together to develop a scenario planning project.

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Lecture, seminar (3 hrs x 10 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the benefits and limitations of scenario planning as a strategic tool
  • Evaluate the strategic implications of scenario narratives in the context of a specific organisation
  • Demonstrate the ability to construct scenario narratives
  • Collect, interpret, and synthesise qualitative and quantitative data sets
  • Communicate complex information in a captivating and engaging way through written and verbal presentation
  • Engage in critical reflexive thinking