Foresight Approaches

An overview of the different types of foresight approaches you can use.

Like research approaches in general, using foresight in practice is not context-free. Here approach is defined as the paradigm being used to frame the use of foresight in practice - that is, its application in a particular context. An approach shapes assumptions, the design of the process, the choice of methods for analysis and interpretation during the foresight process. And, every approach is shaped by the practitioner’s worldview and preferences.

Another term for approach is methodology - approach is a less academic word, but I use it mainly because it gets over the problem of confusing methodology and method. Methodology is an approach, derived from a paradigm, that governs the types of methods we use in a particular context.

Voros identifies five approaches used across foresight work - see the following table.