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Curious about how professionals really “see” what’s coming next? At the UH Foresight Program, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with more than 100 organizations—governments, corporations, non-profits—helping their teams expand their thinking and systematically prepare for the future. If there’s one foundational skill that sets effective futurists apart, it’s scanning: the discipline of spotting signals of change before they hit the mainstream.
Over years of practice and teaching, I’ve noticed some recurring pitfalls, even among seasoned scanners. That’s why I pulled together my favorite tips (the ones people wish they learned earlier!) into a quick, actionable video: “7 Tips for Better Scanning.” Whether you’re new to scanning, have a certificate in the field, or simply love exploring what’s next, it’s less than 5 minutes and could transform your approach. Give it a look and see if you recognize any habits you’d like to break! — Andy Hines
without doubt scanning is mandatory. however, in the competitive-intelligence/strategy space that is entry level work. what’s important is the ability to decode the potential impact the weak signals communicate about the future marketplace. more important is being able to glean what the various entities (consumers, competitors, suppliers, regulators) are likely to do in the expected conditions, and how you can be ahead of the impact.