The 'one perfect solution' does not exist. The world is too uncertain for that. But a solution that will work for you is out there, waiting to be discovered.

For many years now, certainly since Scenarios was first published, the only constants in the business environment have been turbulence and change. Today things are no different.

Scenario planning enables managers to face up to this uncertainty by evolving from the idea of finding the 'best strategy' to one of mobilising the 'best strategizing process'. In this long-awaited new edition of his bestselling classic, Kees van der Heijden shows you how to move your organization to meet the future by turning its ongoing 'strategic conversation' to its own advantage. Linking your organization's unique (but often tacit) business idea with scenario thinking, and building on the principles of organizational learning, he describes practical ways to develop those skills that will enhance the continuous scenario-based strategy process.

""Kees van der Heijden has written the most comprehensive, detailed and insightful guide to understanding the business enviornment in a way most useful to business. No one has mastered the art of bringing that insight to bear in the real world of business with greater depth than Kees." Peter Schwartz, Chairman, Global Business Network; author of 'The Art of the Long View'."

""The span of this book is unusually wide: it goes from the philosophy of scenario thinking to the minute practicalities of how to do it. This book is, in my view, the best field guide in a field where it is easy to go astray and where guidance is precious." Pierre Wack, Former Head of Scenario Planning, Royal Dutch / Shell"

This book is about organizational survival: the reasons why organizations do not always survive, and what can be done about it.

Survival means creating value for stakeholders, and the survival problem starts with uncertainty, change and the need for organizations to adapt to shifting needs and market conditions. The key question is 'Why are organizations slow to change and adapt?' Unsuccessful organizations are distinguished by their failure to overcome thinking and behavioural flaws at personal, organizational and community levels. In this book, we explain what these flaws are and how the scenario approach helps senior managers and organizations to overcome them. Our approach is based on reasoning, research, real world observations - and a long track record developing scenario-based thinking, combining the most effective elements of the many scenario approaches that have been tried over time.

"Organizational learning and scenario planning are seen by many business people as two separate disciplines, with different programmes and communities of practice. This book builds a bridge between the two. I believe this is important. It will invite the organizational learners to develop a deeper perspective on the longer-term business environment, and it will invite the scenario planners to consider their work in the context of organizational survival and development. Both will be better off, to the benefit of their organizations." —Arie de Geus, author of The Living Company

"Helping organizations learn their way into the future in a world of complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity is what The Sixth Sense is all about. The book is a deep, insightful and practical guide to the tools an organization needs to break through the limits of its own thinking. Scenario thinkers and planners working to make their organizations adaptive learners will find invaluable tools and examples to guide their own development." —Peter Schwartz, co-founder and chair of Global Business Network and author of The Art of the Long View.