Seeing the future through technological foresight

Abstract

This paper appreciates the fundamental changes that are being experienced in the world, and that make some methods obsolete or incapable of adapting to how we perceive the reality around us, and of which Venezuela is not indifferent. In this sense, policy makers are engaged in the tasks of identifying emerging issues, negotiating uncertainties, articulating scenarios, developing a common vision of the desired future, introducing innovation and designing sound policies and strategies. This is despite limited resources and a complex environment. It is because of the above that this paper focuses on detailing one way in which policy makers can efficiently map the future to better direct their efforts through strategic thinking about the future and the tools provided by technology foresight. This paper demonstrates the importance of technology foresight exercises, exemplifies some of the most commonly used methods and illustrates how to select some methodologies, with the purpose of dismantling some myths of complexity that have been erected around this useful tool that persists in seeing the future and recommending the strategic route to reach it.