This CDGA training course includes various techniques to maximise understanding, retention and ability to apply the learning, including a training course manual, suggested reading, presentations, individual and group exercises, video and group discussion.

The training course will be interactive and will challenge delegates to “think differently” about “sustainability” and about their part in delivering the strategic direction of their organisation. The tutor will guide delegates to apply the learning, and their understanding of their own organisations.

Organisational Impact

Organisations will be better prepared to prosper in a changing future, based on: 

• Better tools to understand how the organisation works within the wider operating environment 
• The ability to see the future with clarity where there is obscurity
• The ability to support decisions with good data to replace a vague trust in “business as usual”
• The ability to implement a robust DIRECTION of future business strategy
• The ability to improve the existing capacity for designing and implementing change
• The ability to support long term business planning with stability and confidence

Personal Impact

Participants will gain a new way of thinking and greater satisfaction in their work on “sustainability”.

• Learn how to think differently – this on its own can be an eye-opening experience
• Gain a new engineering discipline - Transition Engineering
• Gain the ability to create more useful management systems and data
• Learn from the co-founder of the Global Association for Transition Engineering
• Become part of a global network of professionals tackling “unsustainability” challenges
• Become the person in your team with the clearest future vision

At the end of this CDGA training course, you will be able to:

• Collect and interpret data on system dynamics to support strategic decision makers
• Ask the right questions, challenge unstated assumptions, define better metrics
• Understand the operational aspects of the Transition Engineering discipline
• Advise and support strategic decision makers on the implementation of change programmes
•  Contribute to corporate change towards sustainability by “thinking differently”

This CDGA training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

Staff in organisations that are dependent on engineered systems including manufacturing, transport, buildings and food, that are facing any “wicked problem” like climate change, energy supply or other environmental or resource challenges.

• Staff in operational roles responsible for energy, environmental and quality systems that support strategic decision makers
• Staff responsible for implementing programmes of change into day to day management systems

This CDGA training course includes various techniques to maximise understanding, retention and ability to apply the learning, including a training course manual, suggested reading, presentations, individual and group exercises, video and group discussion.

The training course will be interactive and will challenge delegates to “think differently” about “sustainability” and about their part in delivering the strategic direction of their organisation. The tutor will guide delegates to apply the learning, and their understanding of their own organisations.

Day One: Introduction - The importance of System Dynamics 

• What is “Sustainability”?
• Overview of global problems of unsustainability
• Systems Thinking and the Operating Environment
• The importance of energy in society, industry and engineered systems
• Historical background to current global challenges
• Introduction to Transition Engineering methodology

Day Two: Identification of Risks of “Un-sustainability”, ISO management tools 

• Understanding an organisation in its operating environment; past, present and future changes
• Energy, Climate, Population; why the future will not look like the past
• Examples and use of future scenarios
• The unsustainability challenges facing my organisation under “business as usual”
• Potential usefulness of Environmental and Energy Management tools
• Collecting data about the past, present and future of an organisation

Day Three: Designing Metrics, Collecting Data, Describing Future Scenarios 

• Using data to describe systems and challenge unstated assumptions
• Using data to describe the forward operating environment.
• Using data to describe future system constraints
• Un-sustainable and Sustainable models for economic activity and capital
• Achieving resilience to external change

 Day Four: Overview of Strategic Planning, Starting a Change Programme 

• Transition Innovation and Creating Path Break Solutions
• Designing a Path Break Solution for my Organisation – worked example
• Back-casting, Designing a Programme of Change
• Safe Operating Spaces for Organisational Change Programmes
• Re-Defining Competitive Advantage
• How to start the process of change in an organisation; trigger activities

 Day Five: Implementation and Management Tools. Course Assessment 

• How the Essentials of Management Systems Help to Implement Change
• Back-casting and Translating a Change Programme into day to day Management
• Examples of Management Tools for New Product Development and Construction
• Building and Managing Teams to Support Change
• Using Communications to Maintain Momentum
• Assessment; multiple choice test

CDGA attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing minimum of 75% of the total course duration.