Strategic Foresight
Environmental Future Scans
Environmental Trends Monitoring
Scenario Development
Foresight & Innovation Projects
Future Strategy Development
Organisational Performance Management

 

 

The world today as we know it is changing at such a rapid rate that business boundaries are blurring, knowledge is abundant and the rules of engagement are no longer valid. As we now live in a multi-faceted world, linear thinking of the 20th century is no longer effective, business needs to think differently regarding the way it strategises. Strategic Foresight is one proven answer to future proofing your business.

So what is Strategic Foresight?
Strategic Foresight is a process that supports the development of strategies to future proof businesses and organisations. It helps you gain a better understanding of how current and future trends, discontinuities and uncertainties might impact upon the future of your organisation in both a positive and negative context.

There are two ways businesses base their strategic planning - projective (forecasting) or strategic foresight (Backcasting). The former approach is a traditional approach that, if followed, can lead to the rapid demise of a business today. We can think of it in terms of Mental Models.

Mental Model 1 is how we see the world around us today and tends to have a strong historical and now component. This type of model is used as the basis for making forecast projections - but is inherently flawed because it is always based upon dated information.

Mental Model 2 is a picture of how we may see the world in 5 - 10 years time. This model is not conceived by crystal-balling the future. Mental Model 2 is constructed upon the basis of some serious research into trends, technological developments, demographic change patterns and expert opinion. Scenarios are developed as a result of this research which is used to create a future view from which a position today can be backcast. The backcast pathway forms the basis for forward strategic planning - i.e. strategic foresight based planning. 

 

To learn more about how to use Strategic Foresight in your planning cycles Contact Us.