Short answer

Incorporate long-term strategic foresight and stakeholder engagement into the design process to ensure relevance and impact in evolving sectors like the bioeconomy.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (2020)
Method: Foresight exercise involving multi-stakeholder Delphi-like surveys, global value network analysis, visioning workshops, and action roadmapping.
Evidence: Strong effect

Developing comprehensive action roadmaps, informed by foresight analysis and stakeholder input, is crucial for strategically positioning forest-based bioeconomy sectors for future growth. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Research Explorer (The University of Manchester). Using Foresight exercise involving multi-stakeholder delphi-like surveys, global value network analysis, visioning workshops, and action roadmapping., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate long-term strategic foresight and stakeholder engagement into the design process to ensure relevance and impact in evolving sectors like the bioeconomy.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Strategic Roadmaps for Forest-Based Bioeconomy Development by 2050

Developing comprehensive action roadmaps, informed by foresight analysis and stakeholder input, is crucial for strategically positioning forest-based bioeconomy sectors for future growth.

Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) · 2020

Key Findings

01Identification of key global forest-based bioeconomy areas by 2050.
02Development of five consolidated Action Roadmaps with 511 concrete actions.
03Recommendations for research, education, innovation, and institutional needs across opportunity pathways.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate long-term strategic foresight and stakeholder engagement into the design process to ensure relevance and impact in evolving sectors like the bioeconomy.

How to apply

When undertaking design projects in sectors with long development cycles or significant future uncertainty, conduct a foresight analysis to identify potential future scenarios and develop adaptable strategies.

Project actions

01When researching a future-focused design project, consider using foresight techniques to anticipate trends.
02Involve diverse stakeholders in your design process to gather a broad range of perspectives.

Method & Evidence

AimTo identify strategic openings and develop action roadmaps for forest-based bioeconomy areas globally and within Uruguay by 2050.

MethodForesight exercise involving multi-stakeholder Delphi-like surveys, global value network analysis, visioning workshops, and action roadmapping.

ProcedureConducted a foresight exercise to identify key global forest-based bioeconomy areas, assess needs and gaps in Uruguay, develop a shared vision, and create strategic action roadmaps with concrete actions across five key areas (forest management, wood processing, fiber-based biomaterials, biorefining, bioenergy).

ContextForest-based bioeconomy sector development, national strategy development.

Variables

IV["Foresight analysis methodologies (Delphi, value network analysis, visioning workshops, roadmapping)"]

DV["Strategic openings and action roadmaps for forest-based bioeconomy areas"]

CV["Time horizon (by 2050)","Focus area (forest-based bioeconomy)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary approach.
+Development of concrete, actionable roadmaps.

Limitations

The future is uncertain, so any long-term plan is based on educated guesses and could be wrong.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the quality of the Delphi survey responses and the consensus reached in workshops. Validity is enhanced by the multi-disciplinary approach and global value network analysis.

Think critically

How might the identified strategic openings and action roadmaps be adapted for different geographical or economic contexts?

Design Principles

"Strategic foresight and multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential for navigating complex, future-oriented design challenges."

This research highlights the importance of long-term strategic planning in emerging industries like the bioeconomy. By identifying key opportunities, challenges, and actionable steps, designers and strategists can create more robust and future-proof product and system designs.

What This Means for Your Design

To plan for the future of industries like those using forest products, it's important to look ahead, involve many people, and create clear steps to get there.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of strategic planning and foresight in your design project's development process.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The strategic foresight employed in this research, which involved multi-stakeholder Delphi-like surveys and action roadmapping, provides a valuable model for developing comprehensive plans in evolving design fields. By anticipating future needs and challenges, designers can create more robust and impactful solutions.

Source

Research Explorer (The University of Manchester)

The Future of Forest-based Bioeconomy Areas:Strategic openings in Uruguay and the World by 2050

journal · 2020

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about strategic roadmaps for forest-based bioeconomy development by 2050?: Incorporate long-term strategic foresight and stakeholder engagement into the design process to ensure relevance and impact in evolving sectors like the bioeconomy. Evidence: Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (2020).
Why does "Strategic Roadmaps for Forest-Based Bioeconomy Development by 2050" matter for design?: This research highlights the importance of long-term strategic planning in emerging industries like the bioeconomy. By identifying key opportunities, challenges, and actionable steps, designers and strategists can create more robust and future-proof product and system designs.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate long-term strategic foresight and stakeholder engagement into the design process to ensure relevance and impact in evolving sectors like the bioeconomy.
What were the main findings?: Identification of key global forest-based bioeconomy areas by 2050.. Development of five consolidated Action Roadmaps with 511 concrete actions.. Recommendations for research, education, innovation, and institutional needs across opportunity pathways.
What research method was used?: Foresight exercise involving multi-stakeholder Delphi-like surveys, global value network analysis, visioning workshops, and action roadmapping..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Research Explorer (The University of Manchester).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When undertaking design projects in sectors with long development cycles or significant future uncertainty, conduct a foresight analysis to identify potential future scenarios and develop adaptable strategies.
What are the limitations?: The foresight exercise is based on projections and assumptions about future trends, which may not materialize as predicted.