Horizon scanning guide: how to spot change before it happens

The three horizons model is a practical foresight framework that helps structure how organizations think about the future. It provides a simple yet powerful way to connect today’s operations,...

Signals of change are small clues that reveal how the world might shift. They can be new behaviors, technologies, policies, or attitudes that point toward emerging trends. Identifying them early...

Horizon scanning helps organizations spot early signals of change, track emerging trends, and prepare for shifts that may reshape their industry. Yet many foresight teams still rely on spreadsheets,...

Every major trend begins as something small. At first, it may look like noise: a new behavior in a niche community, an unfamiliar technology in a research lab, or a policy shift on the other side of...

Weak signal scanning is one of the most important practices in foresight. By spotting the earliest hints of change, organizations can anticipate disruptions, identify opportunities, and prepare...

A single weak signal rarely changes a strategy. One new startup, one experimental policy, or one shift in consumer behavior may be interesting, but on its own it is not enough to guide decisions. The...

In foresight work, few concepts are as fundamental as weak signals and trends. Both are essential for building futures intelligence, yet they serve very different roles. Understanding the difference...

Horizon scanning rarely serves just one purpose. In most organizations, it supports strategy, innovation, and risk management all at once. The challenge is ensuring that one scanning process meets...

Involving more people in horizon scanning turns isolated observation into collective intelligence. The most successful foresight managers build participation into everyday work – making signal...

Choosing the right horizon scanning tool can make the difference between scattered insights and a powerful foresight capability. The ideal platform enables teams to spot emerging trends early, turn...

When you are scanning hundreds of sources, from news sites and academic papers to patents and blogs, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Some findings appear promising but later prove irrelevant, while...

Weak signals are the early hints of change that may later evolve into major trends or disruptions. Tracking them over time ensures that signals are not forgotten, overlooked, or dismissed before...