Forecasting is about understanding change—its nature and effects. How can we notice change as it creeps up or springs upon us? We can actively look for information that give hints of the future. In future-speak, this is called scanning. Scanning identifies and monitors change, anticipates disruptions and helps us imagine the implications of what we observe. Our goal in scanning is to find what is not already known, to go beyond established wisdom and seek the new. We look for early signs, teases and hints of trends that are just beginning or changes in speed or direction of existing trends.
The best way to start scanning is just read more broadly and challenge yourself by learning about things that might not seem immediately connected to your day-to-day work. For example:
The best way to start scanning is just read more broadly and challenge yourself by learning about things that might not seem immediately connected to your day-to-day work. For example:
- Subscribe to “Dispatches from the Future of Museums,” a weekly email compilation of annotated news items.
- Review this PowerPoint presentation “Guide to Scanning for Change” by futurist Garry Golden, and follow its step by step instructions to set up your own personalized scanning feed.
- Review our list of “blogs of interest” and consider which you might want to follow and read regularly.
- Check out our basic reading list to introduce yourself to futurist thought.