Thinking about the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight

by Andy Hines, Peter Bishop

Thinking about the Future, by Andy Hines and Peter Bishop, distills the expertise of three dozen senior foresight professionals into a set of essential guidelines for carrying out successful strategic foresight. Presented in a highly scannable yet personable style, each guideline includes an explanation and rationale, key steps, a case example, and resources for further study. The 115 guidelines are organized into six sequential categories that mirror the phases of a strategic foresight activity: Framing, Scanning, Forecasting, Visioning, Planning, and Acting.

This second edition provided an opportunity to update the examples for the guidelines where they seemed dated. Otherwise, the original guidelines are intact, in the same place and order. The more significant change is the addition of a new section that provides specific “how-to” process advice to supplement the guidelines. We have been working on our approach to doing and teaching how to do foresight projects for the University of Houston Foresight Program since the book was published in 2007. The resulting “framework foresight” process is described in Section 7.0 Applying the Framework.

Executives will find both the guidelines and the framework invaluable for understanding what it takes to successfully explore the future, while analysts who actively carry out strategic foresight projects will find the book an indispensable reference that they turn to again and again.

Genres: Business, Futurism, Nonfiction

449 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2015

Reviews

[Zehra Rizvi · Rating 1 out of 5]

FINALLY FREE FROM THE SHACKLES

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a straight-forward book about organizational culture. It offers strong insights into framing scenarios for the future. Also there is a desire to listen to outlier and 'difficult' members of a team, to offer alternative futures.

A solid book. It is a good intervention in planning for the future.

[Jesse Parvess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frameworks for futurism.

[Matt Mayevsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There has perhaps never been a time in human history where strategic foresight is more needed." This quote is also a great motto of the book. "Thinking about the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight" edited by Andy Hines and Peter Bishop is the essential handbook for every aspiring analyst and, students of strategic foresight. The book is written in understandable, accessible language. This book is very readable and well organized. The whole structure of the book is based on the full analysis process from the Framing by Scanning, Forecasting, Visioning, Planning to Acting. Each element of the process is described in detail and explained according to the scheme: Key steps - Benefits - Example. And at the end of each section, the authors recommend supplementary literature.

I am glad that I read this book. Why? Because Andy Hines and Peter Bishop systematize knowledge of strategic foresight from the point of view of the analyst. And although it is the beginning of the road to being an expert of strategic foresight, this is a good start.

[Nicci Obert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important reference book for foresight practitioners. Lays out a methodical, field-tested method for foresight work, with explanations and examples to illustrate the process. Important handbook for people working in the field, and good reference for people wondering what foresight/futures studies looks like in practice.

[Manoj Joshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good text but lengthy could have been compressed

[Amani]

THE BOOK

[Seymour Hersh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text on planning, executing and sustaining a foresight plan.