Horizon Scanning: See What’s Coming Before It Arrives

 

Anticipate Disruptions. Identify Opportunities. Make Informed Decisions.

In today’s volatile landscape, uncertainty isn’t a risk—it’s a reality. Traditional forecasting methods fail to capture weak signals and emerging trends before they become full-scale disruptions. That’s where horizon scanning comes in.

 

Done For You Horizon Scan

Underpin strategic choices with insight into the system of developments that will impact your organization's trajectory in the coming years.

Horizon scanning is a systematic approach to detecting early signals of change—technological, regulatory, social, and economic—allowing you to anticipate shifts before they impact your organization.

My approach combines future-oriented information from academic and free public sources to deliver actionable foresight. 

✅ Develop a set of factors that determine the success of your strategy directly and indirectly
✅ Find the drivers and barriers governing each factor's future behaviors. 
âś… Assign likelihoods and weights to drivers and barriers.
✅ Map the information to visually inspect the factors and let meaningful patterns emerge holistically.

The Cause-Effect Factor Chart (deliberately blurred in the picture on the left) is a visual of the blocking and driving forces for direct and indirect influences on the future trajectory of quantum technologies.

Such an overview at-a-glance will help you see new patterns, opportunities, and strategies you otherwise will miss.

Who Benefits from Horizon Scanning?

  • Business Leaders & Executives → Stay ahead of industry disruptions.

  • Government & Policy Makers → Prepare for regulatory and geopolitical shifts.

  • Tech & Innovation Teams → Identify game-changing technologies early or discover what your emerging technology will likely face during its development and diffusion.

Why Horizon Scanning Matters

Organizations that integrate horizon scanning into their strategic planning consistently outperform competitors.

Organizations that don't do this or do too much or too little of it consistently underperform compared to their industry average.

🔹 Your competitors may already be doing this—are you?

Strategic foresight done right can have your firm outperform up to 33% compared to industry averages

Case Study

In 2023, I researched the complex future of quantum encryption in the event of a quantum hack for Delft University of Technology.

I investigated 14 factors influencing the development of encryption and how these factors were likely to play out in different scenarios. I combined this information with a scan of current use cases of possible solutions to a quantum hack.

The result led to strategic trajectories that are shaping the European quantum ecosystem as we speak.

Hear it From the Expert

I know where to look and what to look for. I am one of the few futurists worldwide who has earned a Ph.D. on managerial blind spots and has 20+ years of entrepreneurial experience in the real world.

Fast, In-Depth, and Goal Oriented

Clients consistently praise me for my fast, in-depth, and goal-oriented analysis. I always deliver on time and exceed expectations, providing insights that are not only relevant but also highly actionable.

Trustworthy, Free Sources

I will find the latest insights from sources like academic journals and papers, reports of financial, governmental, and research institutions, and the latest news clippings.

Links to all sources are included.

Key Horizon Scan Steps

1. Scope

You brief me on the scope of the horizon scan, including the timeframe you're looking ahead to (e.g., 5 years, 10 years) and the specifics of your organization, purpose or technology you want me to focus on.

2. Search

I collect relevant information from news articles, reports, research papers, expert opinions, social media trends, and industry publications for 14 influencing factors.

3. Map

I map the information in a visual called the "Cause-Effect Factor Chart," and write up tentative patterns and strategic questions. I also list the references.

4. Inform

We will go through the map and the pattern and question overlays together. You'll use the insights to inform your strategies and innovations.

What's Included in the Final Report?

  1. A comprehensive, easy-to-read report of findings with strategic implications

  2. A complete reference list so you can dive into source materials if you want

  3. Clear visual aids such as the cause-effect factor chart and its overlays.

 

Ready to Start Your Horizon Scan?

Empower your organization with the foresight it needs to succeed in an ever-evolving world. Take the first step by finding a moment to discuss your horizon scan wishes. Stay ahead and book your organization's future on my agenda.

Find a moment to discuss your scan

Frequently Asked Questions