Trend & Technology Radar
Radar for visualizing and evaluating trends and technologies by relevance and time horizon.
PURPOSE
Organizations must recognize and evaluate trends and technologies early to remain strategically capable and avoid being caught off guard by developments. The Trend & Technology Radar provides a structured method to identify relevant developments, classify them by relevance and time horizon, and derive strategic implications. It supports forward-looking decision-making.
HOW TO USE
First, relevant trends and technologies are collected through research, expert interviews, or workshops. These are then positioned on the radar, with the distance from the center representing the time horizon and the segments representing thematic categories. The radar is regularly updated (e.g., quarterly) and the positioning of elements is reviewed and adjusted.
WHAT IT IS
The Trend & Technology Radar is a visual canvas tool that arranges trends and technologies on a circular display by relevance and time horizon. It is typically divided into rings (e.g., Adopt, Trial, Assess, Hold) and segments (e.g., Technologies, Methods, Platforms, Languages). The format was popularized by the ThoughtWorks Technology Radar and is widely adapted.
EXAMPLE
Example: You are Head of Strategy at a machinery manufacturer and need to evaluate the technological trends of the next five years. Using the Trend & Technology Radar, you categorize technologies like Digital Twins, Predictive Maintenance, and Edge Computing into the rings 'Adopt', 'Trial', 'Assess', and 'Hold' to provide the board with clear recommendations.