The Futures Project: an introduction
This was a specific programme of work that took place over the period 2005-2007 to help assess some of the key challenges and opportunities that Scotland might face over a period of 20 years or so. Its purpose was to stimulate debate and to help ensure that all aspects of government activity were working effectively together to best position Scotland for the future.
Scotland's devolved government was already undertaking forward-looking work - in health, transport, planning, education and other areas. The Futures Project differed from this work in that it examined systematic strengths and weaknesses - and likely future opportunities and challenges - across a wide range of key areas of Scottish life and society.
What Futures work has been done?
The findings of the Futures Project were published in a range of materials in spring 2006. These documents have not been updated since 2006.
- The Strategic Audit 2006 provided an international benchmark of how Scotland was performing on a range of different indicators when compared with other countries. It drew on previously published material from governments or international organisations like the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It provided a snapshot of Scotland's strengths and weaknesses, showing where we might build for the future and where challenges remained. For more current information on performance, see the Scotland Performs website.
- The Trend Analysis 2006 highlighted some of the main trends - or influences - then seen as likely to affect Scotland over the next 20 years or so. It used both quantitative and qualitative evidence to indicate which factors were likely to be significant in driving change over the medium and long-term. Using a model called GLIMPSES (Globalisation, Life course, Individualism, Media and technology, Politics and government, Shape of society, Employment and Sustainability) as a framework, the analysis considered which trends are likely to be significant for Scotland, any evidence about those trends, the factors likely to affect them and the expected implications for Scotland. The trend analysis papers were not statements of policy. They were instead initial working documents to help prompt discussion and debate about our possible futures.
The Futures Project was not about predicting Scotland's future. We cannot predict with certainty what will happen before it does. Instead, based on existing evidence, the Futures Project aimed to suggest some possibilities for the future. Everyone was invited to consider the evidence, assess the options for action and to contribute to the debate about how we could shape Scotland's future.