DOCTORATE  IN FORESIGHT MANAGEMENT

MGUniversity > DOCTORATE  IN FORESIGHT MANAGEMENT

Doctorate in Foresight Management (DFM)

This program is a professional, practice-based doctorate designed for experienced managers, executives, and consultants who seek to become thought leaders and experts in navigating complex futures. The DFM goes beyond traditional academic degrees by focusing on the application of advanced foresight methodologies to solve real-world, high-stakes organizational and societal challenges. The program is anchored in the principles of methodological governance, ensuring that candidates not only envision the future but also establish the ethical and strategic frameworks to govern it responsibly.

Program Structure

Total Duration: 150 Hours

Phase 1: Advanced Workshops & Masterclasses (50 Hours)

  • Duration: 10 weeks (5 hours/week)
  • Format: Intensive, interactive masterclasses led by faculty and industry experts, delivered through a blend of live online sessions and case-based analysis.

Modules:

  1. Module 1: Systems Thinking and Causal Layered Analysis (15 hours)
    • This module moves beyond basic foresight tools to explore the deep-seated causes of change. Candidates will learn to map complex systems, identify underlying myths and metaphors, and understand how they shape organizational reality.
    • Key Topics: Systems mapping, the futures cone, multi-causal analysis, and integrating systems dynamics into strategic planning.
  2. Module 2: Governance, Ethics, and Responsible Futures (10 hours)
    • Focusing on the Methodologica Governance University’s core mission, this module explores the ethical dimensions of foresight. Candidates will examine the role of governance in anticipating and mitigating unintended consequences from new technologies and societal shifts.
    • Key Topics: Ethical foresight frameworks, anticipatory governance, and foresight in public policy and corporate social responsibility.
  3. Module 3: Leading Organizational Resilience and Transformation (15 hours)
    • This masterclass is dedicated to the human element of foresight. Candidates will develop the leadership competencies required to foster an agile culture, manage organizational resistance to change, and translate foresight insights into actionable strategy across a diverse workforce.
    • Key Topics: Change leadership, sense-making in complex environments, and building organizational resilience.
  4. Module 4: Doctoral Research and Dissemination (10 hours)
    • A professional doctorate requires a unique research approach. This module prepares candidates to frame a research problem, conduct a robust literature review on a professional-level topic, and design their capstone project. It also covers methods for publishing and presenting work in professional and academic forums.

Phase 2: Applied Doctoral Capstone Project (100 Hours)

  • Duration: 16 weeks
  • Format: Independent, original research or applied project with one-on-one mentorship from a faculty advisor.

This is the cornerstone of the doctorate. The capstone must be an original, impactful piece of work that contributes new knowledge or a novel solution to a significant professional problem. The project is not a theoretical exercise but a practical intervention.

Examples of Capstone Projects:

  • Developing a Strategic Foresight Framework for a specific industry (e.g., the future of healthcare supply chains).
  • Designing and implementing a Foresight-Driven Governance Model for a non-profit organization.
  • Creating a Methodology for Anticipating Geopolitical Risks for a multinational corporation.
  • Conducting a deep-dive research project on the Societal Implications of AI in a Specific Sector.

Project Milestones:

  1. Project Proposal & Literature Review (20 hours): The candidate submits a detailed proposal outlining the problem, research questions, and proposed methodology.
  2. Original Research & Data Collection (40 hours): The candidate conducts primary research (e.g., interviews with experts, surveys, case studies) and synthesizes their findings with existing knowledge.
  3. Project Development & Final Report (30 hours): The candidate produces a comprehensive written report, including their analysis, findings, and a detailed plan for implementation.
  4. Final Defense & Presentation (10 hours): The candidate presents and defends their project to a panel of academic and industry leaders. The defense will focus on the originality of the contribution, the rigor of the methodology, and the potential for real-world impact.

Evaluation & Credentialing

Evaluation will be based on:

  • Workshops & Assignments (20%): Active participation, engagement with case studies, and performance on module assignments.
  • Doctoral Capstone Project (80%): The final report will be heavily weighted, assessing its originality, relevance, rigor, and potential for practical application.

Certification: Upon successful completion and defense of the doctoral capstone, the candidate will be awarded the Doctorate in Foresight Management (DFM) from Methodologica Governance University.