Foresight and its importance in analyzing the future

It is a valuable tool to help organizations adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment, by providing a more complete and anticipated vision of the future, through the use of simple mathematical techniques and methods but with excellent results.

A discipline that looks to the future

Foresight does not enjoy much knowledge by people, this is due to semantic issues that place it in its French origin (Gaston Berger) which did not have much echo in the Anglo-Saxon world in which they preferred the term “foresight” which It is more similar to prediction and applies the Delphi method (consultation with experts); The important thing is not to choose one or the other, but to apply both, depending on the case.

Anticipate and understand possible changes, trends or future events that may affect a specific organization, industry or situation. This type of analysis seeks to go beyond mere prediction, trying to understand the possible implications and prepare to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that may arise.

Methods that include the inclusion of key factors within the analysis such as the level of citizen participation in decision-making, political climate, and considering the relevant actors, the action of an NGO, an interest group such as communities. All of this allows the change from being spectators to actors in their context when it comes to understanding reality.

Prospective these days takes on relevance especially in the Information Age, in which the uncertainty, volatility and complexity of situations are multifactorial and tremendously dynamic, like Human Beings have never experienced.

Foresight Objectives

Some of the specific objectives of the prospective analysis are the following

Anticipate Trends

Identify and understand emerging trends in areas relevant to the organization, such as technology, market, society, environment, among others.

Identify Opportunities and Threats

Evaluate potential opportunities that may arise in the future (positive regulatory change, opening of markets), as well as threats that could negatively affect (the case of an internal civil conflict). This allows the organization to prepare to mitigate risks.

Improve Decision Making

Provide better quality information for strategic decision making. Decisions can be more informed and aligned with long-term objectives.

Innovation

This can inspire new ideas and creative solutions to adapt to a changing environment, which feeds into the possible future scenarios analyzed.

Strategic planning

A well-done prospective analysis provides a solid basis for strategic planning, allowing the organization to proactively prepare for the future, including its customers, suppliers, proposing improvements in processes and energizing markets.

Communication and Change Management

Facilitate effective communication and change management within the organization, since possible transformations (for example digital) are better understood and appropriate communication strategies can be prepared (in current times or emergency situations, for example).