Tool

Trend 360

This worksheet is designed to support the exploration of trend cards. It helps participants get an overall idea of how a trend manifests today, and what kinds of impacts it may have in the future.

Tool

Type

operating environment analysis, trends

Trend 360

Time:  30 minutes – 1 hour

Participants:  Individual work or small groups of 2–4 people

Level of facilitation: Easy / Medium / Challenging

Materials: Trend 360 worksheet, trend cards

Trend 360 is a tool for exploring trends in more depth and for identifying the various impacts and possible future changes associated with a specific trend, while building an overall picture of the trend. The questions in the worksheet are based on the PESTE framework. They guide participants to reflect on how the trend is already visible today, and how it may affect different areas in the future. The worksheet works both as a conversation starter and as a step towards deeper trend analysis.

The worksheet has two sides, which can be used separately or together. The “Present” side helps identify how the trend is currently manifested, and what impacts it already has. The “Future” side explores possible future impacts based on the observations made in the present-day analysis. The Future side also encourages bold and imaginative thinking about the future.

What users say about the tool

“The tool is excellent for mapping out all the dimensions related to the current state of a trend. At first, I had only a few clear impacts in mind, but as I started filling in the worksheet, new dimensions emerged that I would not have initially connected to the trend.”

Preparation

Decide whether you will use both sides of the worksheet (Present and Future) or only one.

Find and prepare Sitra’s megatrend cards or another trend list that you find interesting.

Working process

  1. Choose one trend card that interests you and read it carefully. Alternatively, you can identify a trend that is particularly relevant to you.
  2. Write the trend in the centre of the worksheet and analyse it using the guiding questions. You can go through the sections in any order you like. Not all questions are relevant for every trend, so feel free to skip questions or add your own.
  3. Write your observations directly onto the worksheet or use sticky notes.
  4. Finally, reflect on what your observations mean for your activities: what challenges or opportunities do you identify? Write the key points on the worksheet and discuss them together.

Materials

See also