A Tool That Integrates Strategies and Practical Actions
The work of researchers in the LifeFactFuture project is beginning to produce intriguing scientific publications. One of these was recently published in the European Journal of Futures Research. This article deserves attention for its ambitious and practical approach. The Futures Map Framework (FMF), introduced in the piece, integrates alternative futures images, roadmaps, and visions into a coherent framework that helps organizations navigate uncertainty. The FMF tool is currently being tested within two major companies participating in the LifeFactFuture project.
The Futures Map Framework (FMF) offers companies a systematic and integrated approach to foresight and strategic decision-making. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to combine alternative futures images, roadmaps, and visions into a unified framework that aids organizations in making more sustainable decisions in uncertain environments.
Traditionally, many organizations face the challenge of disconnecting long-term visions and strategies from concrete short-term actions. FMF bridges this gap by combining creativity and flexibility (scenarios and visioning) with practical implementation plans and operational actions (roadmaps and decision-making) FMF fuses three-time horizons; past horizon, decisions made in the past holds their validity as path-dependencies in the present time towards action horizon, and mapping horizon encompassing alternative future scenarios within the boundaries of feasibility and acceptability.
Companies can benefit from FMF in several ways. First, it helps them to identify and visualize broad future opportunities and risks, supporting decision-making particularly during uncertain times. This enhances an organization’s ability to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances. Second, FMF enables businesses to balance short- and long-term goals by integrating strategies with practical actions.
Third, the framework provides tools for developing visions and strategic roadmaps that inspire and motivate employees to commit to organizational goals, simultaneously creating a shared sense of direction and purpose. Fourth, FMF enables organizations to make more informed decisions by synthesizing lessons from the past, analysis of the present, and insights into future possibilities.
In summary, FMF provides organizations with a practical tool to build sustainable competitive advantage, enhance strategic agility, and improve their ability to navigate the rapidly changing business environment. By aligning strategic vision with concrete implementation, FMF helps companies achieve both long-term and short-term success more effectively.
We are eagerly anticipating the results that will emerge from the ongoing FMF pilots. Testing the tool described in the scientific article in a company reflects exactly the spirit of co-innovation that the LifeFactFuture project represents.
Research article:
Villman, Tero & Kuusi, Osmo (2025) Developing the Futures Map Framework–an integrative hybrid foresight approach. European Journal of Futures Research, 13(1), p. 14.
Cover figure:
“Baseline Futures Map Framework”. Source: Villman, Tero & Kuusi, Osmo (2025) Developing the Futures Map Framework–an integrative hybrid foresight approach. European Journal of Futures Research, 13(1), p. 14.