diverge · Strategy · 60–120 min · 2-40 people · medium energy
Future Trends
This method helps groups identify and prioritize key trends that will impact their industry in the next 3 years. By exploring the opportunities and challenges these trends present, teams can develop proactive strategies for the future.
When to use Future Trends
Use this method when you need to help a team anticipate future changes, identify potential business opportunities, and develop strategic responses to emerging trends.
What it solves
Lack of strategic foresight, reactive decision-making, failure to adapt to changing market conditions.
How to run Future Trends, step by step
- Introduce the workshop's purpose, emphasizing the focus on transformative trends and organizational responses. (5 minutes)
- Conduct a 'Stinky Fish' exercise to surface anxieties and uncertainties about the future. Frame the context around digital impacts. (20 minutes)
- Facilitate a brainstorming session across four categories: Business, User Behavior, Talent Demands, and Technology. Allocate 5 minutes per category. (20 minutes)
- Guide the group to prioritize the identified trends using dot voting. Each participant gets 8 votes. (5 minutes)
- Divide participants into smaller groups to explore the top three trends, focusing on opportunities, consequences, and potential risks. Provide a trend template for each group. (20 minutes)
- Have each group present their findings and ideas to the larger group. (10-20 minutes)
- Conduct a check-out, inviting each participant to share one positive insight about the future. (5 minutes)
Materials needed
- Sticky notes
- Markers
- Whiteboard or digital whiteboard (Miro, Mural)
- Dot stickers or digital dot voting tool
- Trend template (worksheet)
Facilitator tips
- Provide examples of trends to stimulate brainstorming, especially if the group is struggling to get started.
- Emphasize the difference between trends and fads to ensure the discussion focuses on lasting changes.
Common pitfalls
- Participants focusing on short-term fads instead of long-term trends. - Remind them to consider lasting impacts.
- Group bias influencing the dot voting process. - Encourage participants to make individual decisions before placing their votes.
Variations
- Use different categories for brainstorming, depending on the industry or focus of the workshop.
- Incorporate external research or expert opinions to inform the trend identification process.
Running it online or hybrid
Use digital whiteboards like Miro or Mural for brainstorming and dot voting. Utilize breakout rooms for smaller group discussions.
What it produces
A prioritized list of key trends and a set of strategic ideas for how the organization can respond to the top trends.
Origin
Adapted from Hyper Island — source
Build a session around Future Trends
METODIC places Future Trends inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.