Vison Cone

Collaborate to connect current innovative developments with the past and an ideal future. It's the perfect exercise for imagining something new or a more desired outcome.

Vision Cone

Step 1. Define the problem, challenge, or topic.

Step 2. Start with now, which is where you currently are, your current status quo.

Step 3. State the facts or findings (your current knowledge) from your recent research or observations related to the problem in the Vision Cone.

Step 4. Now imagine a desired future. Then write down related findings and facts to support this new future.

Step 5. Design a scenario for the future from the findings. Tell a story of this new reality.

Step 6. Work backward or reverse engineer the required steps to create that future outcome.

Step 7. Document all necessary steps that need to happen to create the ideal future.

Vision Cone

A vision cone connects current innovative developments with the past and an ideal future. It's the perfect exercise for imagining something new or a more desired outcome it works by breaking down the possible future, in actionable steps. Work individually, and then convene as a team in 2-5 member groups to develop the vision cone. Spend 30 mins defining the status quo and 30 mins for depicting the past and 30 mins developing a possible future. Finally spend the rest of the time reverse engineering the required steps. 

Group Size: 2-5

Materials Needed: Vision Cone, Pens, Video Camera, Sketches or Photos, Markers and Post-its 

Duration: 30-120 mins

Vision Cone

A vision cone connects innovative developments with the past and an ideal future. It's the perfect exercise for imagining something new or a more desired outcome; it works by breaking down the possible future into actionable steps.

  • Brainstorm a new possible future.

    Review past product history and understanding.

    Connect current innovations with the past.

    Explore what needs to be done to obtain a new future.

  • Work individually and then convene as a team in 2-5 member groups to develop the vision cone. Spend 30 mins defining the status quo and 30 mins for depicting the past, and 30 mins creating a possible future. Finally, spend the rest of the time reverse-engineering the required steps.

  • Step 1. Define the problem, challenge, or topic.

    Step 2. Start with now, which is where you currently are, your current status quo.

    Step 3. State the facts or findings (your current knowledge) from your recent research or observations related to the problem in the Vision Cone.

    Step 4. Now imagine a desired future. Then write down related findings and facts to support this new future.

    Step 5. Design a scenario for the future from the findings. Tell a story of this new reality.

    Step 6. Work backward or reverse engineer the required steps to create that future outcome.

    Step 7. Document all necessary steps that need to happen to create the ideal future.

  • Vision Cone can reinterpret the problem and discover current or even future market opportunities.

    It allows a team to think in segments because the vision cone maps out actionable steps over time to get to a desired future.

    Document relevant findings and insights into how your user's context will inform your solution.

    Place context findings around your "Customer Journey Map" for a complete picture of your customer journey.