Futurology

‘Let us have the intention to move out of the present

and create the possibility for new futures’. J. Simuka
2020  
 Learning Objectives
• Define futurology

• Identify and explain methods used in futurology

• Discuss the benefits of futurology as a strategy to

drive technopreneurship
 Futurology
• The study or forecasting of trends or developments in
science, technology, political or social structure, etc.
• Future studies, futures research or futurology, is the
systematic, interdisciplinary and holistic study of social and
technological advancement, and other environmental
trends, often for the purpose of exploring how people will
live and work in the future.
• Predictive techniques, such as forecasting, can be applied,
but contemporary futures studies scholars emphasize the
importance of systematically exploring alternatives.
• In general, it can be considered as a branch of the 
social sciences and parallel to the field of history.
 Futurology….
• Futures studies seeks to understand what is likely to
continue and what could plausibly change.

• This discipline seeks a systematic and pattern-based

understanding of past and present, and to explore the
possibility of future events and trends.

• Around the world the field is variously referred to

as futures studies, futures research, strategic foresight
, futuristics, futures thinking, futuring, and futurology. 
 Futures techniques
• Futures techniques or methodologies may be viewed as
“frameworks for making sense of data generated by
structured processes to think about the future.

• Futurists use a diverse range of forecasting and

foresight methods including the following

• Environmental scanning (or horizon scanning),

Scenario method, Cross-impact analysis,
Futures workshops, Trend analysis,
Morphological analysis and Technology forecasting
 Importance of futurology
• The futures study brings about intellectual change
and a reorientation in thinking on the part of the
participants.
• Opportunity identification –as changing business
environments present new opportunities
• Inform business process reengineering
• Inform new product development and product
designs
• Inform design thinking
 Tutorial Questions
1. Define the term futurology
2. Briefly explain any three methods used in
futurology
3. As a scientist, outline the importance of
futurology in your area of specialisation. What are
the shortcomings of futurology as a business tool