What’s beyond the horizon: navigating the unknown using horizon scanning

Organisations have long recognised the need for medium to long-term planning and with the accelerating pace of change, it has never been more important to explore what the future might look like. The purpose of these future-gazing initiatives is not just to prepare for any eventuality, but to allow the business to take best advantage of the emerging trends that will impact it.

Horizon scanning is a powerful technique used by some organisations to identify emerging opportunities, potential threats and risks. Most are balancing the opportunities of unprecedented scientific discovery and ground breaking innovation with the realities of a changing consumer, a harsher regulatory environment and emerging disruptive business models.

This report outlines the findings of a horizon scanning survey we carried out with professionals from a range of industry sectors. It provides a useful snapshot of how organisations are using horizon scanning to prepare for the future in an increasingly uncertain world characterised by significant, rapidly evolving technological, economic, political, environmental, social and regulatory changes.