Methodology

Developing methods for futures research is one of our core activities. We continuously strive to promote the advantages of futures research with scientific principles. Unfortunately, trend and futures research are still addressed too pragmatically. The basis for decision making, in other words scenarios and prognoses, is however only as good as the collected data and the ascertained assumptions. Futures research in companies and institutions has to follow the same quality criteria, which also apply for empirical social research – namely validity and reliability.

The Institute for Futures Studies and Knowledge Management (IFK) aspires to uphold the best possible quality standards according to established scientific criteria in its futures projects. In this context, we have developed an approach, which modularly and scientifically substantiates the scenario development process. It integrates innovative methods (i.e. an online real-time-Delphi), while ensuring their validity through standardisation and method testing.

Our methodology has been awarded several times already for its innovative character and the practical relevance of our research findings.