NextStorm™

The next disruption won’t wait

Rapid shifts in public policy, economic conditions, and global systems are already reshaping how organizations operate. From changing land use regulations to evolving environmental mandates, today’s decisions are being made in an increasingly volatile context. Add to that climate-driven extremes—wildfires, floods, and heatwaves—and intensifying demographic and market pressures, and the picture becomes clear: complexity is the new normal. NextStorm applies scenario planning and systems thinking to help organizations see what’s coming, explore plausible futures, and prepare for disruption before it hits.

What is NextStorm?

NextStorm is an intensive, two-day scenario planning experience designed for mission-driven organizations.

Using high-stakes, real-world “extinction-level” scenarios, your leadership team will:

• Stress-test operational resilience

• Clarify roles and decision-making

• Create actionable, time-bound response plans

This isn’t a hypothetical exercise—it’s a full-scale simulation that equips your organization to act decisively in the face of disruption.

How It Works

Step 1 – Pre-Workshop Alignment
Pre-workshop in-person or online meetings to confirm scenarios, define success criteria, and identify participants.

Step 2 – Scenario Briefing
Facilitator-led presentation outlining scenario triggers, likely impacts, and constraints.

Step 3 – Working Group Breakouts
Functional teams tackle the scenario from different perspectives, considering

• Legal – legal risks, compliance, and required actions

• Finance – budget impacts, funding continuity, and donor engagement

• Operations – operational shifts, staff stability, and infrastructure continuity

• Communications – media strategy, partner messaging, and stakeholder engagement

Each team uses structured, pre-built templates tailored to the scenario.

Step 4 – Report-Back & Feedback
Teams present draft plans, receive cross-functional input, and refine their strategies.

Step 5 – Strategic Implications Discussion
Leadership identifies shared priorities, potential synergies, and long-term resilience goals.

Step 6 – Leadership Debrief
Finalize decisions, assign follow-ups, and outline next steps.

What You Get

At the close of the workshop, you’ll leave with:

• Detailed Response Plans for each scenario, including:

  • Legal Impact Assessments

  • Legal Response Trees

  • Contingency Funding Plans

  • Budget Reallocation Matrices

  • Crisis Fundraising Plans

  • Communications Playbooks

  • Stakeholder Outreach Maps

• Immediate Response Timeline Tables for 48 hours, 5 days, 10 days, 20 days, and 30 days—clear “what, who, notes” for rapid execution.

• Scenario-Specific Decision Frameworks ready to adapt for future crises.

Who It’s For

• Executive and leadership teams

• Parks and public lands conservancies, friend’s groups, nonprofits and foundations

• Public land and protected area agencies

• Boards and senior staff of mission-driven organizations

Format

• Two-day facilitated in-person session

• Day 1: Scenario Simulation + Working Group Response

• Day 2: Scenario Simulation + Working Group Response + Strategic Response + Leadership Team Debrief

• Includes pre-session planning consultation, scenario development, and optional follow-up/response plan update depending on changing circumstances

Why It Works

NextStorm combines adaptive leadership principles, scenario simulation, and cross-functional problem solving.
Your team will experience the pressure, complexity, and urgency of a real crisis—without the actual risk—so they can practice making high-quality decisions when it matters most.

Is your organization ready for its NextStorm?

Let’s design a scenario planning workshop that pressure-tests your leadership team and leaves you ready to act with confidence—no matter what comes next.

How NextStorm Works for Leadership Teams

Ready to explore your organization's NextStorm?

Contact us at info@newlineconsulting.com to learn more.