Identify changes
Monitor developments that are influencing people, organisations and societies.
Design thinking resource
Trend Analysis
A strategic method for identifying patterns and changes that may influence future opportunities.
Understand implications
Consider how trends may affect stakeholders and future opportunities.
Inform innovation
Use trend insights to guide decision-making and opportunity exploration.
Put the method to work
Put Trend Analysis into practice
Gather trend information.
Identify recurring patterns.
Assess implications.
Generate strategic responses.
Why it matters
What Trend Analysis makes possible
Supports foresight
Reveals emerging opportunities
Encourages long-term thinking
Improves innovation planning
Worked example
See it in action
An illustrative learning example, not a documented project case study. Observations, choices and outcomes show how the method could be applied; they are not research findings.
Challenge
Understand the future of sustainable tourism.
Signal
Increasing adoption of reef-safe sunscreen products.
Supporting observations
- Regulatory attention on harmful chemicals
- Growth in environmentally conscious travel
- Increased sustainability messaging from tourism providers
Emerging trend
Tourists increasingly seek environmentally responsible travel options.
Implications
- Resorts may offer reef-safe products.
- Tourism operators may strengthen sustainability education.
- Destinations may introduce environmental certification programs.
Strategic response
Develop visitor experiences that make sustainable choices easier and more visible.
Common mistake
Mistaking a short-term fad for a long-term trend. Trends require multiple supporting signals and evidence over time.
Continue exploring
Return to Explore Possibilities.
Place this method back within the broader 5E Design Thinking Framework and continue developing your understanding.