Methods

At the core of our methodology is the Foresight Framework, a proven and proprietary methodology to find future innovation opportunities and to create forward-looking organizations. The methodology began at Stanford University and has been tested with various teams and companies since 2004. Comprised of 15 core methods for problem scoping and problem solving, the Foresight Framework is designed to address complex problems and future planning as systematically, creatively, and efficiently as possible.

By using this framework, participants prepare successfully for the future by answering three fundamental questions:

1. How do I begin looking for future opportunities?
2. How can I create a path to these opportunities that anticipates the inevitable changes along the way?
3. What can I start doing today that will help me get there first?

Phase I: Perspective

Methods in the Perspective phase give you a broad frame of reference, holding up a mirror to the past so you may better anticipate the future.

METHOD	GOAL	OUTCOME
Context Maps	Retain complexity of topic, while beginning to converge on priority areas	A visual map of the top 8 dimensions in a problem
Progression Curves	Connect multiple related events and highlights precedents	A set of related timelines showing past developments and their timing
Janus Cones	Uncover indirect influences and events within an era	A large-scale pattern map of past major decisions affecting current planning

Phase II: Opportunity

By understanding future customer changes, methods in the Opportunity phase help you develop an ability to see growth opportunities that exist today and extend into the future.

METHOD	GOAL	OUTCOME
Generational Arcs	Identify relevant population group and shared values	A diagram of the target user population(s) with size and attributes
Future User	Describe future user needs without extrapolating biases from today’s users	A comparison of two customer/user profiles, including anticipated needs
Futuretelling	Convey nonverbal and contextual details about a future use case	A short performance of user needs, either captured as a live skit or via video

Phase III: Solution

Methods in the Solution phase seek to define the questions that exist along different paths to innovation, which are specific to your industry, customers, organization, and team skills.

METHOD	GOAL	OUTCOME
White Spots	Determine future focus of opportunity through iterative filters	A visual map of the competitive landscape and emerging market areas
Paper Mockups	Produce system models that show interactions and related components	A 3D prototype of a potential innovation solution
Change Paths	Prioritize top decisions based on direct path to desired future	A visual high-level roadmap for future action

Phase IV: Team

Methods in the Team phase focus on finding the talent and leadership your team needs to take an idea forward as a new opportunity or innovation.

METHOD	GOAL	OUTCOME
Buddy Checks	Let you quickly filter promising innovation partners and teammates	Team rehearsal for communicating and receiving new ideas for target reactions
VOICE Stars	Identify your team’s aptitude for radical innovation	A team score on five dimensions of innovation culture with a related set of supporting activities
Crowd Clovers	Map your personal or team's innovation network	A stakeholder map of the innovation players to bring an idea to life

Phase V: Vision

Methods in the Vision phase sharpen your team’s vision so that it may take on a life of its own and guide everyone’s actions forward.​

METHOD	GOAL	OUTCOME
Vision Statement	Provide a simple formula to tell a future vision	A short inspirational description about an idea’s future value
DARPA Hard Test	Evaluate future vision in terms of its breakthrough potential	A quick scoring about an idea’s visionary potential
Pathfinders	Chart the most efficient success path for an innovation idea through an organization	A visual planning map revealing what to do (or not do) for optimal internal alignment and success

General Non-Commercial Use​

• Under the creative commons license (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), the Playbook for Strategic Foresight and Innovation is available for free download to individuals, companies, and organizations for non-commercial purposes only. 
• Parties interested in applying the foresight methods from the Foresight Framework for internal development, university teaching or educational reasons, or other purposes may do so with attribution and with no intention to profit.
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Commercial Use

• Commercial usage of the Foresight Framework and all related methods are restricted and full copyright are retained by the book's authors. You may not use trademarks, methods, or other intellectual property assets in connection with web sites, products, packaging, manuals, promotional/advertising materials, or for any other purpose except pursuant to an express written licensing agreement from the publisher. Contact the Innovation Leadership Group LLC's licensing team licensing@innovation.io for more information.​