
- Discussion, Exploration, Guide, HorizonScanning, Scenarios, Template
Futures Wheel
A visualisation of direct and indirect future consequences of drivers and events. A structured brainstorming on chains of “if, then” statements, from isolated signals to complex forecasts about possible futures.

- Discussion, Exploration, Guide, HorizonScanning, Scenarios, Template
Futures Wheel
A tool to explore possible implications
What is it?
This tool is a graphic visualisation of direct and indirect future consequences of a particular driver, event or issue. It is a structured brainstorming on chains of “if, then” statements. It helps move from isolated signals and possibilities to more complex forecasts about possible futures.
Use it to
- Transform specific observations into robust chains of statements
- Organise thinking and questioning about the future
- Visualise complex relationships between events
- Deepen your understanding of a driver after the horizon scanning process
Acknowledgments
Adaptation from Jerome C. Glenn (1994) from The Millennium Project