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Table 3 Additional interview responses for methods

From: What corporations do with foresight

Codes/subthemes

N

Example responses

Weak signals

5

Futures companies scan daily for “weak signals” in blogs, news groups, external research companies; created daily newsletter focusing on four signals (14,500+ subscribers).

Values

5

Customer Values - psychological perspective of beliefs, motivations, preferences; little change as adults; clusters of values (Persona); spend money to acquire valued item/view.

Forecast

5

Market analysis (how product portfolio affects landscape or vice versa); extrapolation of historic data: numbers, charts, trend lines; assumes [trends continue] unchanged/unchallenged.

Backcasting

4

Tests assumptions of future; Steps backwards to spot steps and signals to reach goal; create blueprint for reaching preferred future by monitoring indicators/milestones from prior data.

Games

4

Participatory futures test scenario; iterative scenarios based on consumer group personas and role playing - workshop tool.

White spots

3

Opportunity spaces for business, product, or service that company has no offering today.

Interview

2

Consultative: meet with head of project to discuss leading questions and bring back relevant trends via presentation, printed materials, or workshop for cross-functional audience.

Other methods

1

Futures Wheel, Delphi, Roadmapping, Futures Triangle, Causal Layered Analysis, War Room, Decision Trees, Expert Network, Spiral dynamics, Futures Audit, Implications Wheel