Framing creates a structure that focuses attention and enables the organization to build pictures of possible futures.

Framing is establishing the boundaries and scope of the endeavor. Within an organization there are five possible levels of maturity for framing:

  • Ad hoc: Foresight projects are accepted at face value and built on the stated problem; goals and processes do not change through the duration of the project.
  • Aware: Foresight project sponsors provide their priorities and expectations and projects are irregularly monitored for progress and impacts.
  • Capable: Foresight project participants agree to goals, assumptions, processes, and objectives. Periodic reviews are held to adjust plans and reframe goals based on new information
  • Mature: Well-established processes are in place, using best practices, to create and deliver successful foresight projects that achieve meaningful and objective outcomes.
  • World-class: Insightful organizational processes ensure that that foresight projects are flexible and on target to address any course corrections and meet the real, often unarticulated needs of sponsors.

Does your organization have the focus and structure it needs to deliver successful foresight projects?

Next discipline: Scanning.