horizonplanning

Horizonplanning is a planning approach used by organizations to structure decisions and actions across multiple future time horizons. It assigns different scopes and levels of certainty to near-term, mid-term, and long-term planning, coordinating day-to-day operations with longer-range strategy. By distinguishing horizons, planners aim to align resources, manage risk, and preserve flexibility as conditions evolve.

Key concepts include segmentation by horizon, anticipation of uncertainty that grows with time, and the use of staged commitments and real options. Planning processes may employ rolling or phased timelines, where plans are regularly updated to reflect new information. Contingency plans, modular design, and scalable investments are typical tools to keep options open across horizons.

Common methods associated with horizon planning include rolling horizon planning, scenario planning, horizon scanning, and contingency planning. Rolling horizon planning periodically revisits the plan while extending the projection window; scenario planning explores alternative futures to test robustness; horizon scanning gathers signals about future developments; contingency planning prepares predefined responses for adverse conditions.

Applications span business strategy and portfolio management, product roadmaps, infrastructure and urban development, environmental and public policy, disaster preparedness, and military strategy. Horizonplanning aims to improve long-term resilience while delivering near-term results, though it faces challenges from forecasting error, organizational silos, data gaps, and the need to balance competing horizons.