|
Examples
of 5 What-Next (5WN) Questions for
Foreseeing the Future
Predictive
Intelligence (PI) is an empowering know-how that enables people and
organizations to forecast future trends, behaviors, and outcomes with high
accuracy, anticipate issues, make better strategic decisions, and manage risks
proactively.
Three Examples of the 5WN Method ("What Next?" × 5)
Below are three situations – developmental, innovation, and geopolitical – each
followed by a chain of five "What next?" answers.
Example 1: Developmental Scenario – A company adopts AI-driven automation
Starting point: A mid-size company introduces AI automation to streamline
operations.
What next?
Productivity increases and routine tasks become faster and cheaper.
What next?
Employees shift toward higher-value creative and analytical work.
What next?
The company discovers new service lines enabled by freed-up talent.
What next?
Competitors respond by accelerating their own automation programs.
What next?
The entire industry transitions to a hybrid human-AI operating model, raising
the bar for innovation and strategic foresight.
Example 2: Innovation Scenario – A breakthrough in battery technology
Starting point: A research team announces a battery that charges in 5 minutes.
What next?
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates dramatically.
What next?
Charging infrastructure becomes the new competitive battlefield.
What next?
Oil-dependent regions face economic pressure and begin diversifying.
What next?
Nations invest heavily in mineral independence and recycling technologies.
What next?
Global energy geopolitics shifts toward countries that control battery
innovation, supply chains, and intellectual property.
Example 3: Geopolitical Scenario – A major country restricts semiconductor
exports
Starting point: A leading semiconductor nation imposes strict export controls.
What next?
Affected countries accelerate domestic chip manufacturing programs.
What next?
Global supply chains fragment into competing technological blocs.
What next?
Innovation races intensify as nations seek self-sufficiency.
What next?
Alliances shift based on access to advanced computing technologies.
What next?
A new global technological order emerges, defined by digital sovereignty and
strategic interdependence.
|
