Bob Johansen, past president of the Institute for the Future and author of Leaders Make the Future recently gave some criteria for a forecasted future (i.e. vision, strategy, forecast, etc.) during a American Management Association presentation. “It is not whether or not a forecasted future occurs, it’s whether or not that forecast provokes insight that leads to a wise future decision. Forecasts, at times, are to be avoided.”

Peter Drucker said that, “Planning is not masterminding the future. Any attempt to do so is foolish; the future is unpredictable.  In the face of uncertainties, planning defines the particular place you want to be and how you intend to get there. But it will not substitute for judgment or leadership.”