2002 Ten-Year Forecast
2002 Ten-Year Forecast
Welcome to the Institute for the Future’s 24th annual Ten-Year Forecast! For more than two decades, our members have used the Ten-Year Forecastas a series of strategic windows into the future, allowing them to glimpse likely changes in the business landscape and anticipate the threats or opportunities that might result from them. Each year, the Ten- Year Forecast focuses on a fresh set of trends relevant for the coming decade. Even more valuable than these yearly snapshots, however, is the accumulation of the Forecasts over the years. When our members look over several editions of the Ten-Year Forecast all at once, they can see the broader business landscape unfolding over time. In this way, our members are better able to make informed business decisions about the future.
After two years of special themes,we have returned to our traditional format with three sections: Key Forecasts of the Business Landscape, Issues, and Strategic Directions. While we have returned to the traditional structure, however, this edition is unique in its own way. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, unfolded while we were writing this year’s Forecast. The occurrence of such a wild card forced us to step back and rethink our forecasts and shift our focus in a good number of cases. And while it is still far too early to know what the long-term impacts of September 11 will be, all of our forecasts take into account the terrorist attacks and subsequent events.