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In this short video, I walk through how futurists and strategists use the Three Horizons to:
- Make sense of near-term continuity (Horizon 1) while the current system slowly declines
- Spot and shape disruptive ideas in the transition zone (Horizon 2)
- Scan for weak signals of transformative change in the long-term (Horizon 3)
You’ll see how all three horizons exist at the same time, and why change is often slower than it looks—right up until it isn’t.
If you work in strategy, innovation, policy, or foresight, this video will help you:
- Organize complex futures conversations into clear time frames
- Communicate long-term change to clients and stakeholders
- Track signals, transitions, and potential “systems of the future” more systematically
For fans of After Capitalism, I show how I used Three Horizons to frame the path to the three guiding images of the future.
Watch to the end to learn how to use the Three Horizons in your own futures work—and why it has become one of my all-time favorite tools for organizing and communicating about the future. — Andy Hines
This framework aligns with how I approach my own thinking about the long-term.
The way near-term continuity breaks down while keeping an eye on disruptive indicators sure does help cut through the noise when making decisions.
I would love to hear more about how you have applied this in your own work, especially when it comes to balancing stakeholders with long-term vision.
I use it throughout my work; it’s hard to pick a specific application. Maybe the use with archetype scenarios is a “favorite/” https://www.andyhinesight.com/mapping-archetype-scenarios-across-the-three-horizons/
I have some posts that show some different application areas. https://www.andyhinesight.com/blog/?_search=three%20horizons