Strategic foresight
See what is coming, and how it could play out.
Horizon scanning, forecasting and impact modelling that give your leadership team an early, evidence-led view of the changes that matter most.
Strategic foresight is the discipline of exploring plausible futures so you can make better decisions today. The 311 Institute scans thousands of conventional and unconventional sources, maps how changes could unfold and models what they would mean for your organisation, then helps your leaders act on it, following its Anticipate, Assess, Act framework.
What it includes
What strategic foresight includes
Horizon scanning
We scan across sectors, technologies and regions so you see the signals your competitors overlook.
ExploreFutures forecasting
From the probable to the possible and the unexpected, across broad scopes and long time horizons.
ExploreScenario planning
Several plausible futures, and your strategy tested against each one.
ExploreImpact modelling
See disruption in slow motion: how a change ripples through your markets, operations and business model.
ExploreTrend analysis for boards
Which technologies and trends matter to you, and when.
ExploreForesight workshops
Your leadership team turns foresight into decisions.
ExploreOutputs
What you receive
- A clear view of the signals that matter to you, and why
- Plausible futures described in plain language, with timings
- The implications for strategy, investment and risk
- A shared picture your leadership team can act on
How 311 does it
Anticipate, Assess, Act
Every 311 Institute foresight engagement follows the same three steps, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Anticipate
What is coming? We scan for the signals, technologies and trends that matter to you, and when each is likely to arrive.
Assess
Why should we care? We work out what each change means for your organisation, your sector, your markets and your people.
Act
What do we do about it? We turn the insight into decisions, signposts to watch and clear next steps your leaders own.
Who it is for
Built for the people who decide
Boards and executive teams
Who need an early, evidence-led view of what is coming.
Strategy and risk leaders
Who want plans that still hold as conditions change.
Innovation and R&D teams
Who need to know which technologies will matter, and when.
Governments and policy bodies
Who plan for the long term.
How it works
What happens
- ScopeWe agree the question, the time horizon and who will use the answer.
- ScanThe 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit scans sources across sectors, technologies and regions.
- ModelWe map how the changes could unfold and what they would mean for you.
- ActMatthew briefs your leaders and you agree the next steps.
Formats
In person first, virtual when you need it
In person (recommended)
In your boardroom, offices or offsite, anywhere in the world.
Virtual
A video session when travel is not possible.
Single question
A focused piece of foresight ahead of a big decision.
Ongoing
A continuous foresight programme for your leadership team. Or foresight as a service: Lite, Plus or Professional, inside Vantage.
Fees depend on the format, location and scope. Send a brief and we reply within one working day with a proposal.
Proof
Foresight work and research
- Strategic Foresight for LeadersCodex, fourth edition, March 2024, 137 pages
- Future of Work: One Person, 10,000 HandsForesight study, October 2026, 181 pages
- The Global AI Power Index 202693 countries ranked
- The 311 Prediction BenchmarkEvery prediction published and scored in public
- SamsungShaped their 50-year Centennial vision of the future.
- WPPKey role in their global restructuring for the AI era.
“Led a 4-day think tank… far exceeded our expectations… incredible breadth of knowledge”
Robert Dessert, Qualcomm
“Truly enjoyed your session… already spoken with my leadership team about it”
Tim Arel, COO, FAA
Foresight tools
The 311 tools behind the work
The 311 Starburst
More than 1,000 emerging technologies and more than 1,000 trends, mapped by when each is expected to reach the mainstream.
ExploreThe 311 Foresight Atlas
The world's foresight and futures organisations, listed A to Z and never ranked.
ExploreThe daily foresight brief
Every day the 311 Foresight Tower reads the world's news on 15 global categories and writes a short brief.
ExploreThe 311 Prediction Benchmark
We publish every prediction before it happens, then mark it against a public source, hits and misses together.
ExploreStrategic Foresight for Leaders
A 137-page codex by Matthew Griffin on how to run your own strategic foresight programmes. Free to download.
ExploreTrusted by leadership teams at
and more than 500 organisations in 102 countries
- Accenture
- Adidas
- Coca-Cola
- IATA
- KPMG
- Microsoft
- PepsiCo
- Qualcomm
- Samsung
- Siemens Energy
- Workday
Answers
Common questions
What is strategic foresight?
It is a structured way of exploring how the future could unfold, so leaders can spot opportunities and risks early and make better decisions now.
How is foresight different from forecasting?
Forecasting estimates what is likely. Foresight explores the full range of plausible futures, including the unlikely ones that would matter most.
How far ahead do you look?
As far as the question needs, from the next few years to the deep future.
Who does the research?
The 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, the team behind the 311 Starburst and the 311 Institute's reports and codexes.
How much does strategic foresight cost?
Fees depend on the format, location and scope. Send a brief and we reply within one working day with a proposal.
Briefing for your board or leadership team
A private, closed-door briefing on what is coming and what to do about it, in person first, anywhere in the world.
Enquire
Tell us what you need.
Matthew works in person first, so tell us where and when. We reply within one working day.
Related
Other ways to work with Matthew
Keynotes
Matthew Griffin brings the future to your stage, in language your audience can act on.
ExploreExecutive briefings
Private briefings for boards and leadership teams.
ExploreLeadership workshops
Hands-on sessions that turn the future into decisions.
ExploreCommission a report
Research on the question your organisation needs answered.
Explore