Insights from the ICVA Board of Directors Meeting: Foresighting Exercise
The January ICVA Board of Directors meeting focused on foresight, emphasizing a forward-thinking mindset among board members and staff. The two days of exercises conducted during the meeting encouraged active engagement from all participants, with a core focus on identifying future opportunities and assessing their alignment with ongoing strategic planning initiatives.
The activities were led by Drs. Karen Rosenthal and Donna Harris, both of whom hold a Master’s degree in Strategic Foresight from the University of Houston. Building upon a previous foresighting workshop conducted by ICVA in 2020, this meeting served as an opportunity for the current board to deepen their understanding of future-oriented thinking and its implications for strategic planning, assessing both current events and potential future scenarios.
Unlike previous board meetings where presentations and updates were delivered in person, this year's meeting covered most presentations during the virtual October meeting, with additional information provided in writing ahead of the January meeting. This adjustment allowed ample time during the in-person sessions for the exercises, ensuring that every participant had the ability to contribute their expertise, diverse perspectives, and observations.
While the beginning of the meeting’s first day focused on routine business matters, the information distributed prior to the January event enabled the second day to be dedicated entirely to foresighting work.
To prepare for the group activities, participants read Amy Webb’s "The Signals are Talking", a book aimed at identifying subtle indicators of change. Drs. Rosenthal and Harris challenged participants to observe "whispers of change" in their respective worlds, leading to broad-ranging discussions about their potential impact on ICVA's future.
Foresighting, as emphasized throughout the meeting, involves looking beyond immediate concerns to anticipate developments that may unfold over the course of decades. Topics explored included the potential impact of emerging technologies, such as virtual reality, on assessment practices, prompting considerations about how ICVA can adapt to evolving circumstances in the future.
“The goal was different this time around—more geared towards not coming up with a distinct plan going forward but to familiarize our board with how to think about the future." — Dr. Karen Rosenthal
Dr. Rosenthal, reviewing the process, underscored its significance as a vital preparatory step for the forthcoming ICVA strategic planning process. Through the collaboration with Dr. Harris, who also serves on the ICVA board, and with the support of Board Chair Dr. Fernando Marqués and ICVA CEO Dr. Heather Case, the meeting facilitated valuable exchanges of ideas among stakeholders.
"The board is highly attuned to current and potential changes. Our commitment is to continuously serve our customers—both boards and test takers—and uphold our position as trusted leaders in ensuring fairness in assessments and responsiveness to changes." — Dr. Donna Harris
The workshop fostered an environment of open and inclusive dialogue, allowing for the exchange of a wide range of perspectives and insights among participants. Through these proactive initiatives in foresight and future thinking, ICVA positions itself as an organization equipped to navigate forthcoming challenges and act on emerging opportunities with a clear vision.
“The world is evolving so fast, and sometimes there are unpredictable twists and turns. This exercise lets us be more prepared for the future, including emerging technologies and ideas.” — Dr. Fernando Marqués, Board Chair
The foresighting process was deemed successful, especially in encouraging a culture of future thinking and collaboration among board members and staff. This shared focus on excellence and innovation is anticipated to play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of ICVA initiatives.