Fortsaaminen

Fortsaaminen is a term used in strategic planning and policy discourse to describe a proactive, persistent approach to progress under uncertainty. It denotes a process of advancing actions in small, reversible steps that build capabilities and resilience over time. The term is a neologism that has circulated primarily in Nordic planning and management literature since the early 2020s, though its usage has varied and the concept is not fixed to a single formal framework.

Etymology: Fortsaaminen is linked to Nordic languages; it stresses moving forward and the nominalization of an ongoing practice. It is sometimes discussed alongside concepts such as adaptive management, experimentation, and resilience.

Core principles: Fortsaaminen emphasizes forward-leaning investment while maintaining flexibility. It favors modular, test-and-learn projects, scenario planning, and staged commitments. Decision-making is iterative, with learning loops that inform scaling or pivots. It requires cross-sector collaboration, transparent governance, and the ability to reallocate resources as evidence accumulates.

Applications: In urban planning, fortsaaminen guides climate adaptation or infrastructure upgrades by gradually increasing exposure to risk in a controlled way. In regional development, it supports phased diversification of economies. In corporate strategy, it aligns with agile investment in uncertain markets.

Criticisms and debates: Critics argue that the term can be vague or used to normalize prudent but incrementalism that delays decisive action. Proponents counter that it offers a practical framework for learning and resilience.