How can I find out more about the terms and language used by futurists and strategic planners?
Because futures studies constitute a particular branch of knowledge, the field has its own terms. Refer to the Court Futures/Trends and Strategic Planning Glossary for information about specific words used in the field. On page 16 of the Court Futures Discussion, there are definitions for the “6 Phases of Strategic Foresight.” Framing: This important first step enables organizations to define the scope and focus of problems requiring strategic foresight. By taking time at the outset of the project, the team analyzing a problem can clarify the objective and determine how best to address it. Scanning: Once the team is clear about the boundaries and scope of an activity, it can scan the internal and external environments for relevant information and trends. Forecasting: Most organizations, if not challeneged, tend to believe the future is going to be pretty much like the past. When the team probes the organization’s view of the future, they usually find an array of unexamined assumptions
