Futures wheel


The futures wheel is a method for graphical visualisation of direct and indirect future consequences of a particular change or development. It was invented by Jerome C. Glenn in 1971, when he was a student at the Antioch Graduate School of Education.
The Futures Wheel is a way of organizing thinking and questioning about the future – a kind of structured brainstorming.

Description

To start a futures wheel the central term describing the change to evaluate is positioned in the center of the page. Then, events or consequences following directly from that development are positioned around it. Next, the consequences of the direct consequences are positioned around the first level consequences. The terms may be connected as nodes in a tree. The levels will often be marked by concentric circles.

Usage

The futures wheel is usually used to organize thoughts about a future development or trend. With it, possible impacts can be collected and put down in a structured way. The use of interconnecting lines makes it possible to visualize interrelationships of the causes and resulting changes. Thus, Futures wheels can assist in developing multi-concepts about possible future development by offering a futures-conscious perspective and aiding in group brainstorming.