Researching tomorrow's issues to inform today’s decisions
The complexity and uncertainty that characterizes the 21st century demands new approaches to strategic planning. Responsible leaders need to think about several possible futures, not just one.
Tech Futures uses foresight to look beyond normal planning horizons and anticipate different ways in which the future may unfold. Foresight is the systematic exploration of the long-term future (taking into account known facts, forces, trends and uncertainties) with the view to taking action. Tech Futures' aim is to glean forward-looking intelligence about the opportunities and challenges that will impact Albertans in coming decades and then use that information to strategically position the province for growth and prosperity.
Foresight enhances the ability of Tech Futures to move an idea from the conceptual stage on to the next step and potentially through researching, testing and implementation in a proactive manner. The Tech Futures Foresight team works with representatives of industry and government to understand how various future forces and factors that can be identified today will interact over coming decades. The insights and understandings about the future provided bring new perspectives that influence the decisions and actions taken by decision makers today.
While the focus is on Alberta and, in particular on the needs and opportunities of the province's businesses, the work of the Tech Futures Foresight team is also applicable to other regions of Canada and the world.
A sample of major Foresight Projects at Tech Futures include:
Recognizing the importance of seeking out new research prospects that are important to Alberta and the world, Tech Futures continues to explore opportunities for future long-term development.