Futures Thinking _ 2026 Course Brochure

DesignThinkers

Global Portfolio 2026 “Our experts will guide you through a structured approach and establish a new way of working to sustain innovation.”

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Futures Thinking for Strategy Development

© DesignThinkers

Global Portfolio 2026

We're ready to help you build the skills for what's ahead.

Hi, we're DesignThinkers.

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What makes organizations thrive in times of change? At DesignThinkers, we believe it starts with people. Founded over 20 years ago in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, our mission has always been to help organizations design services that put people at the center. As innovation increasingly relies on both human ingenuity and technological progress, DesignThinkers empowers organizations to stay ahead. We help teams develop the critical skills needed to navigate complexity, combining human-centered design and AI-powered innovation to turn change into opportunity.

This Global Portfolio showcases our 2026 course offerings & innovation programs, alongside client success stories and ways to collaborate, preparing you to lead in a changing world.

Our work is further enriched by long-standing collaborations with leading academic institutions such as Oxford University, Harvard University, the University of Amsterdam, as well as innovation hubs such as DGA and DIFC. We’re committed to making innovation real by building capabilities, designing for impact, and shaping services that improve lives.

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The Future of Work: Top 10 Core Skills You'll Need by 2030

About This Training, What you will Learn, and Key Takeaways

A Profile for Every Level: Creating Your own Innovation Path

Reach out: We love to guide you to take the next steps

Global Portfolio 2026

The Future of Work is rapidly shifting. These are the Top 10 Core Skills you’ll need by 2030.

The world of work is transforming at an unprecedented pace, driven by advancements in AI, technology, and global interconnectedness. By 2030, core skills across industries will undergo significant evolution. To navigate this shift, the future will require a unique blend of creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and a deep understanding of complex systems. As the landscape of work evolves, so too must the way we think, collaborate, and innovate.

At DesignThinkers, we are dedicated to helping you build the skills necessary to lead in this new era. Our curriculum empowers teams with the tools to innovate, collaborate, and harness technology with purpose. These are the essential skills that will drive your success in the future:

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Technology skills

AI and big data Technological literacy Cognitive skills

Creative thinking Analytical thinking Self-efficacy

Resilience, flexibility and agility Curiosity and lifelong learning Working with others

Leadership and social influence Management skills

Talent management Ethics

Environmental stewardship

Source: World Economic Forum (2025), The Future of Jobs Report

Global Portfolio 2026

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Preparing your team for tomorrow's challenges.

By 2030, the core skills needed to succeed will have evolved beyond recognition. Luckily, we provide the core programs your team needs to stay ahead. We’ve carefully selected these key competencies: Employee Experience , Customer Experience, Co-creation in Sales, AI-powered impact, and Capability Building to ensure your team is fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities of 2030.

Experience it for yourself. Our approach combines tailored solutions with hands-on training, enabling your team to apply these skills directly for measurable results. Build the future today and stay ahead of the curve.

"I am always impressed by DesignThinkers' ability to design and deliver sessions that are both highly tailored and impactful, and their approach is deeply rooted in collaboration and adaptability."

Sterre van der Laken, Salesforce Executive Program Manager Design-Led Data & AI Programs, EMEA

IMPACT WITH AI CAPABILITY BUILDING EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CO-CREATION IN SALES

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We ignite change Culture

Content

We shape AI-aware innovation cultures

We solve tomorrow's challenges

Our experts will guide you through a structured approach that integrates emerging technologies like AI and establishes a future-proof way of working to sustain innovation.

We provide the means to bring real and viable solutions to your challenge, using AI-driven insights and validating those with real customers and key stakeholders through masterful presentation.

Culture

Capability

Capability

We train innovationready teams Through hands-on training and coaching, we empower your team to adopt a solutionoriented mindset and build confidence in applying emerging AI learning technologies to drive innovation.

Content

Now, let's get started!

Global Portfolio 2026

Futures Thinking for "Refreshing and Strategy providing more Development Language

English or Dutch

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Futures Thinking uses the exploration of emerging changes and trends to transform them in far and near future scenarios. This training will take a specific topic as a starting point and use a set of Futures Thinking tools like Horizon Scanning, Future Wheels and Future Scenarios to explore different possible futures. Design Thinking will be introduced as an integral element throughout the training to translate future trends into reality and tangible, actionable strategic initiatives

Location

DT Amsterdam Studio

Involvement

2 days of 8 hours

perspective to any design process that you work on."

Romesh Kumar, ABN AMRO Bank

Capabilities: Strategic Foresight

Dates

See full calendar This course will help you to feel and understand how to turn trends into actionable strategies for innovation.

You will gain hands-on practice using tools and approaches to come to future scenarios. Based upon these scenarios you will learn to develop strategies to deal with these different futures. As Design Thinking is at the core of everything we do it will be part of this Course as well however in a light touch way

Confident Navigate Stakeholder decision making future business Alignment

Global Portfolio 2026

Futures Thinking for Strategy Development Sign up

Day one

Day two

09:00 Kick-off

09:00 Kick-off

Framing and Scanning

Forecasting and Visioning

Introduction to Futures Thinking

Team dynamics mindsetter

Methodology & cases

Framing

Present team-specific challenge​

Team Poster

Programme

Exploring Trends

Model introduction

3 Horizons Map

Vision Narrative ​

Now-Next-Future

Personal Project Futures Narrative

Deepen Values Piramid

STEEPLE Mindmap

Wrap-up day 1 & Reflection round ​

Futures Wheel

18:00 End

Findings sharing

12:30 Lunch break

12:30 Lunch break

Sense making & Reframing

Reflection & Discussion

The Action driven Mindset ​ 17:30 Certification & Drinks 18:00 End

Three Horizons, Future Narrative Personal Project Actions Plans

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Global Portfolio 2026

Why choose us? We're best in class for innovation.

Extensive Tools

Expert Masterclasses

Real-Life Challenges

We provide an extensive set of innovation tools that you can immediately put into practice (e.g., Stakeholder map & CJM) . After completing the course, you'll gain exclusive access to our L&D library, packed with resources to continue your learning journey.

During each day, you'll gain insights from expert-led masterclasses, where seasoned innovators share real-world strategies and lessons from the field. These sessions give you the tools and perspectives to navigate complex challenges with confidence.

You won’t be working on hypothetical case studies - you’ll tackle real-life challenges. By solving tangible problems, you'll gain practical experience, refine your problem-solving skills, and leave with actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

Official Certification

AI Prompting

Global Community

DesignThinkers is accredited by the Dutch Council for Training and Education. After completing any of our courses, you’ll receive a recognized official certification, validating your expertise and equipping you with a valuable credential to advance your career.

We'll Support your process by using the latest AI applications. Prompt AI to generate ideas on your problem statement, present your persona to AI and ask your research questions, or make a prompt to enrich your CJM by simulating different situations.

We’re proud to welcome a diverse, global community of participants, bringing together professionals from different industries and cultures. That means plenty of opportunities for networking, fresh perspectives, and connections that can shape your future.

Global Portfolio 2026

Enough about us, who are you?

An Innovation Professional

A Strategic Thinker and Doer

seeking how to explore different futures to enrich their innovation process

needing guidance to further develop their Futures Thinking muscle as part of a Strategy building effort

An Executive or Decision maker wanting to understand how Futures Thinking can help them in enriching the Strategy building process

Global Portfolio 2026

Our tools for growth Preview

Building your Digital Toolkit Full access to all our DesignThinkers tools in the Online Learn & Development Library will be granted upon completion of the course.

Trend Radar Research ​STEEPLE Mindmap Futures Wheel Values Piramid World Quote Action Plan

Persona Card 20-45 minutes Individual or in groups Sticky notes, sharpies

Idea Brainwriting Tool 10-30 minutes +4 people Sticky notes, sharpies

Service Scenario Map 20-60 minutes Core team Sticky notes, sharpies

Personas are used to define who are the customers you are trying to help with their specific problems.

They can provide a range of different perspectives on a service, allowing your team to define and engage the different interest groups that may exist within your target segment.

The Idea Brainwriting Tool is a simple and direct tool to start co-creating new ideas in a team. It pushes everyone to contribute in enriching and making ideas more detailed. Everyone in the group works on each other's ideas by adding, eliminating, replacing and finetuning each idea.

The Service Scenario Map is a tool which will help you visualize the steps and actions your persona takes when using the service or product of your company. It is a visualization of the user experience, using the service designed based on the ideated ideas.

Customer Journey Map

AI Prompting

Mindsetters | Hands-free

45-60 minutes Core team Sticky notes, sharpies

5-15 minutes Core team Laptop or phone

10 minutes +4 people

Creating a Customer Journey Map builds empathy by focusing on the present journey of the customer.

At its best, this is a continuous activity to plot information about why your customers do what they do and how they experience interacting with organizations and/or services through different touch points.

Support your process by using AI for the different stages of the Double Diamond. Prompt AI to generate 5 ideas on your problem statement, present your persona to AI and ask your research questions pretending they embody the persona, or make a prompt to enrich your Customer Journey Map by simulating different situations.

Make pairs. There is going to be a competition making paper airplanes. Let everyone put their dominant hand in their pocket. Give the participants 5 minutes to make a paper airplane; Let everyone throw their plane from behind a common line. For throwing they can use their dominant hand.

A4 paper

Mindsetter | Hands-free

Mindsetter | Step Clap Tap

10 minutes +4 people

5-10 minutes 2-20 people

A4 paper

No material needed

Mindsetter | Sheep Shed 10-15 minutes +20 people No material needed

Make pairs. There is going to be a competition making paper airplanes. Let everyone put their dominant hand in their pocket. Give the participants 5 minutes to make a paper airplane; Let everyone throw their plane from behind a common line. For throwing they can use their dominant hand.

Make groups of 2 Let the two group members facing each other and take turns counting to 3 together. As soon as the group gets the hang of counting, switch one number for a gesture, such as a step, a clap or a tap. This mind setter engages the brain and often results in a relaxed atmosphere and loads of laughs.

Make groups of 3. One person is the ‘sheep’ and stands in the middle. The other two are the shed and cover the sheep with their hands making a roof. There is one person tells the sheep to try to find another shed and the shepherd becomes a sheep too. The person standing alone is the new shepherd.

Mindsetter | Not a Banana

Mindsetter | Dolphin Show

Mindsetter | 5 Changes

10 minutes 3+ people No material needed

10-15 minutes +6 people No material needed

Start having the whole group walk around in the room. Whenever you see an object, point at it and give it a name that has nothing to do with it. (When you see a table, you call it a cat). When everyone understands, speed up the space. Stop for a while and share finding. Do people use association to connect words and objects?

Make a circle and send one person out of the room.

Decide who in the circle is the leader. The person who left the room at the beginning of the exercise may now come back and stand in the middle of the circle. The leader will start with gestures and everyone follows the leader. The person in the middle has to guess who the leader is.

10-15 minutes +4 people No material needed Make pairs. Observe each other for 30 seconds. Turn around with your backs toward each other. Change 1 thing about your appearance. Turn around and identify the change. The second time, change 2 things about your appearance. Turn around again. Repeat a third time.

Global Portfolio 2026

Outcomes, Objectives & Certificate Main Goal

Learning Sources

Core Skills & Tools & Applications Mindsetters

What to expect

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Outcome

Certification & L&D Resources

Learning Outcomes

High-energy Training Learning-by-Doing DT Toolkit & Certificate Learning from internationally recognized facilitators Multiple expert masterclasses

Human-Centred Mindset Experience with practical tools & frameworks Ideation & Prototyping (*AI) Collaborate across disciplines Apply analytical thinking in practice

Did you know?

All our alumni gain unlimited access to our exclusive online L&D Library.

What's Included?

Your ticket includes a daily healthy lunch, snacks, beverages, course materials for personal use, and an official DTA certificate upon completion.

We value quality! We are accredited by the Dutch Council for Training and Education, ensuring high-quality learning experiences. Participants receive an Official Certificate upon course completion, with exclusive access to our Learn & Develop Library. KHDA Educational Services Permit: 633078

Global Portfolio 2026

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Stepping stones for innovation

We open paths for innovation by helping teams rethink how they create value.

Guiding organizations and individuals to see change as an opportunity, we translate challenges into clear directions for growth, building the mindset and capabilities needed to be future-ready.

We solve challenges,

& we shape capabilities.

Process Design

Process Design

EX or CX Assessment

EX or CX Design Sprint

AI Masterclass

Future Leadership

Futures Thinking

DT & Agile

AI Agent Development

EX or CX Digital Toolkit

Stakeholder Management

Innovation Framework

Facilitation Skills Module

Employee Experience

Facilitation Skills

Sales & Co-creation

Storytelling Masterclass

Innovation Strategies

Design Sprint

EX or CX Design Project

Design Thinking

Systems Thinking

Effective Storytelling

Advanced Facilitation

CoursePortfolio Brochure2026 '25 Global

A profile for every level One portfolio, infinite pathways. Whether you're just starting out or leading at the top, we offer tailored programs at every level. Discover the right path for you.

Foundational level Begin with the Basics. Advance with a Custom Training.

Applied level From Aspiring to Accomplished. Leadership Training for What’s Next.

Executive level Elevate Your Leadership. Drive Strategic Success.

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© DesignThinkers

Course Brochure '25

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Foundational level

Are you an eager explorer?

Do you recognise this?

Lack structured creativity methods.

Feel uncertain about where to start with innovation. Struggle to translate ideas into action. Limited confidence in using design tools or AI effectively.

What's in it for you?

Improved creative confidence and practical problem-solving skills; Ability to use and apply design & AI tools with purpose; Turn ideas into tangible results.

Explorer's innovation path

AI & DT Training

Design Research

Innovation Playbook

Storytelling for Impact

Stakeholder management

Creative Facilitation

DT Toolkit for Government

Coachingon-the-Job

Systems Thinking

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Global Portfolio 2026

Applied level

Are you a proactive practitioner?

Practitioner's innovation path Do you recognise this?

Struggles with balancing day-to-day operations and long-term goals.

Difficulty making confident, wellinformed decisions. Teams lack alignment and efficiency.

What's in it for you?

Improved team management and collaboration; Stronger decision-making skills; Increased operational efficiency.

Futures Thinking

Storytelling Workshop

Innovation Playbook

Creative Facilitation

AI Mastery Workshop

Stakeholder management

DT Toolkit for Government

Future Scenarios

Systems Thinking

© DesignThinkers

Course Brochure '25

Executive level

Are you a limitless leader?

Leader's innovation path Do you recognise this?

Struggles to align teams. Faces resistance to change across departments. Limited time to explore new technologies. Finds it challenging to translate strategy into action.

What's in it for you?

Enhanced strategic alignment across teams and initiatives; Strengthened leadership presence in driving transformation; Increased capacity to make future-focused decisions.

Program Design

Research Interviews

Leadership Toolkit

Creative Facilitation

Service Design Sprints

AI Agent Development

Strategy Alignment

Employee Strategy

Systems Thinking

Global Portfolio 2026

Meet some of our Facilitators

Elmo Diederiks

Ilana v/d Boel

Our coaches and facilitators are all subject matter experts in the field of Human-Centred Design, and have extensive experience in providing project assistance and trainings in Design Thinking. You can find all of our coaches and facilitators on our website.

Jeroen v/d Weide

About what we do

Expertise

We focus on creating value for people as the most effective way to drive project success and inspire.

Our worldwide team combines global reach with invaluable local expertise.

We approach every challenge from the user’s perspective. We focus on creating value for people as the most effective way to drive project success and inspire growth for our clients’ businesses and organisations. inspire growth for our clients’ businesses and organisations. inspire growth for our clients.

"A refreshing and engaging experience that went beyond my expectations."

Tupo Muocha, UNICEF

Christina Lennartz

Marjo Staring

Joey Piliero

Dimitra Tsertou

Adela Cristea

Tim Schuurman

Global Portfolio 2026

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Price list* Open-registration ticket fee

YAD-1

Storytelling for Impact *AI included AI & Design Thinking NEW Customer Journey Mapping Leading with Design Thinking *AI included Employee Experience Masterclass *AI included

YAD-2

DT Fundamentals *AI included DT Creative Facilitation *AI included Employee Experience Design NEW Systems thinking for Positive Transformation NEW Future Leadership Skills Futures Thinking for Strategy Development NEW

Incompany group pricing* Early Bird

Regular

€495

€595

€695

€796

€495

€595

€495

€595

€495

€595

Online €495

€495

€1495

€1595

€1095

€1495

€1595

€1095

€1495

€1595

€1095

€1495

€1595

€1695

€1795

€1495

€1595

YAD-5

Immersive DesignThinkers Bootcamp for Professional Innovators *AI included

€2950

€3250

Executive School #TiSDD

€3250

€3250

Storytelling Suite AI & Design Thinking Agile Team Coaching & AI Improving Leadership with AI Projectmanagement with AI Customer Journey Mapping DT Awareness Session Storytelling for Impact

Upon request

DT Fundamentals DT Creative Facilitation Employee Experience Design Systems Thinking Future Leadership Futures Thinking DT Awareness Session

Upon request

Immersive DT Bootcamp

Upon request

Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request

Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request Upon request

*We offer special prices for groups and alumni of our courses.

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Other courses that may interest you

* includes latest AI techniques

Immersive DT Bootcamp for Professional Innovators* (AI)

Creative Facilitation Course*(AI)

Storytelling for Impact Course

Systems Thinking for Positive Transformation

Future Leadership Skills Course

Learn from highly experienced Service Design & Design Thinking practitioners by Masterclasses and experiencing DT with a real case.

Master Facilitation by enhancing your skills with advanced techniques and refine your style to effectively guide groups, focusing on People, Structure, and Outcome.

Build confidence and master storytelling techniques to gain buyin and foster engagement with stakeholders through effective presentations and data utilization.

Join our Systems Thinking Course to understand the influence of your environment and learn how to influence factors to stimulate innovation and change.

Gain essential skills to being an effective leader of the future while learning to confidently guide your organization through disruptive and dynamic environments.

Global Portfolio 2026

Get in touch via Whatsapp for questions big or small.

Hey, DesignThinkers here, how can we help you today?

I have a question about the 4-Day Innovation Strategy Program.

Of course!

just drop our team a message and we'll get you what you need.

Send a Whatsapp now

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Some companies we're proud to team up with! Prof.Douglas Tschopp, Director

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“I have been to a lot of trainings and conferences, but nothing measures up to the 5 interactive days at DesignThinkers ”

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