Governance & Compliance

Emerging Risks and Horizon Scanning

New risks from technology, climate, geopolitics and society can emerge quickly and catch organisations unprepared. This course teaches horizon scanning and emerging risk management: sources and methods for scanning, assessing velocity and impact, scenario thinking, early warning indicators and integrating emerging risks into strategy.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Organisations that see change early have more options. You will learn practical methods to spot and prepare for emerging risks.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Horizon scanning exercises, scenario workshops, case studies and indicator design.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain emerging risks and their characteristics
Run horizon scanning processes
Assess impact, likelihood and velocity
Use scenarios to explore uncertain futures
Design early warning indicators
Integrate emerging risks into strategy and ERM

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Risk managers
Strategy and planning professionals
Senior leaders
Board risk committee members
Innovation managers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Horizon scanning
Risk assessment
Scenario thinking
Indicator design
Strategic integration

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Emerging Risks

09:00–10:08Characteristics
10:08–11:00Recent examples
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Recent examples (continued)
11:45–12:53Blind spots
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Scanning

09:00–10:08Sources and methods
10:08–11:00Weak signals
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Weak signals (continued)
11:45–12:53Organising scanning
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Assessment

09:00–10:08Impact and velocity
10:08–11:00Interconnected risks
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Interconnected risks (continued)
11:45–12:53Prioritisation
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Scenarios

09:00–10:08Scenario building
10:08–11:00Implications
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Implications (continued)
11:45–12:53Options
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 5Integration

09:00–10:08Early warning indicators
10:08–11:00Strategy and ERM
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Strategy and ERM (continued)
11:45–12:53Reporting
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.