How can we develop strategies, policies and choose which innovations to push forward with in an uncertain future?

How can we develop strategies, policies and choose which innovations to push forward with in an uncertain future? The question is simple, and many responses are possible. I would posit that one thing is sure. Using an Excel spreadsheet to think and a PowerPoint to decide is not the solution. What may help more is:

• Developing a foresight mindset: that allows you to “side cast” (not forecast), and hence see small signs of change that are already present today and could bloom tomorrow.
• Identifying the key decisions you need to take today – and the doors to decisions that you should not block in case you need to take those decisions tomorrow – is also vital.
• Working out where North is for your compass to work properly is important, as any mental map you have of the future is likely valueless in a matter of years (or even months).
• Providing yourself and your colleagues a few basic heuristics of how to behave when faced with uncertainty (e.g. Keep moving, stay in touch, take the more resilient option).
• Starting probes (safe to fail projects) that allow new ideas, business models or products to be tested out in real conditions. If successful, amplify them. If not, kill them.

Critically foresight methods can be used to help with all of this. And thanks to our collaboration with the excellent folks at Futuribles, we can now offer to help train you on these things too…

I hope to see some familiar faces – both starters in foresight, but also those who have already taken first steps but want to learn more – in September! Sign up here.