Strengths-

• challenges and changes participant's assumptions
• contradicts the common paradigm of "if it's not credible, we can't (or won't) talk about it."
• changes the game, giving a new context or framework to discussion.
• puts participants in a frame of mind to explore various "what if's..." and consider "not-yet-credible" information.

Weaknesses-

• provides too broad a Scan for some purposes.

Specifications for Success

• tailor the length of the timeline to the scale of the participant's mission: it might be 5 years or it might be 200.
• tell participants to stretch; this isn't about playing it safe. Ask them to name their prediction and turn it over the next person, without adding explanation or justification for their prediction.
• start the exercise by giving a prediction of your own. If the predictions get too predictable, consider adding a few other wild examples of your own.
• consider limiting each round to a specific defined category (or track on your WorkWall), if for example, you anticipate participants concentrating to much in one area (like their own organization or industry).