ForwardAnalysen

ForwardAnalysen is a research and consulting firm that specializes in forward-looking analyses and forecasting. Based in Europe, it serves corporate, government, and nonprofit clients with services such as strategic foresight, trend analysis, and scenario planning. The company emphasizes integrated approaches that combine quantitative models with qualitative futures methods to help organizations anticipate disruptions and build resilient strategies.

History: ForwardAnalysen was founded in 2010 in Berlin by a team of data scientists and futurists. It expanded to additional offices in Hamburg and Zurich and established collaborations with universities to advance forecasting methods. Through the 2010s, it developed a portfolio that includes climate risk, digital transformation, and energy-technology forecasting.

Services: Core offerings include horizon scanning, quantitative forecasting using time-series and causal models, scenario development and backcasting, Delphi-based expert surveys, risk assessment, and strategic roadmapping. The firm also delivers training, workshops, and client-specific dashboards.

Methodology: The firm employs a hybrid approach that blends data-driven analytics with scenario narratives. Typical methods include time-series forecasting, causal inference, Delphi surveys, scenario planning, and indicator dashboards, supplemented by stress tests and uncertainty communication.

Impact and reception: ForwardAnalysen is cited for methodological rigor and actionable insights. Critics note the inherent uncertainty of long-term forecasts and stress the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptation.

See also: Foresight studies, scenario planning