How to introduce Foresight in big companies

Illustration by Gulsah Keles

Foresight is the process of anticipating and preparing for future events, trends, and opportunities. It is a strategic approach that helps organizations make better decisions, be more resilient, and create positive change.

In big companies, foresight can be introduced and applied in several ways:

1. Establish a dedicated foresight team: A team of experts with diverse backgrounds and skills can be responsible for conducting research, analyzing data, and identifying emerging trends and opportunities. This team can work closely with other departments and stakeholders to understand their needs and challenges, and to develop strategies that align with the company’s vision and goals. Usually the design team does this while conducting research for a specific project and information is not shared with other teams.
2. Use a variety of foresight methods: There are many different methods and tools that can be used to practice foresight, such as scenario planning, horizon scanning, trend analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Each method has its own strengths and limitations, and can be applied in different contexts and for different purposes. It is important to choose the right method for the task at hand and to use a combination of methods to get a more holistic and accurate view of the future.