Futures Thinking

Whether in risk identification, qualification, quantification, or response development, the exercise of risk management is largely one of clairvoyance. It is a function of being able to look into the future and identify the various possible states that may exist. Futures thinking is the art and science of identifying those future states of nature, selecting the most desirable state, and working toward that reality as a goal. The key risk components of futures thinking are those of identifying the impediments to that future state and how those impediments can be avoided. Futures thinking also takes into account the anticipated reaction to alternative (less desirable) future states and how that reaction will manifest itself.