The world is changing fast, and it’s essential for association leaders to stay aware of the external factors that could impact their future success. Recognizing the key drivers of change–whether strong, weak, or emerging–is vital for effective leadership and management. ASAE offers valuable resources, supported by ASAE Research Foundation's forward-thinking studies, to help you, staff, and the board make better future-focused decisions for tomorrow, today! 

WHAT IS ASAE FORESIGHTWORKS? 

Our mission is to help you foster a culture of foresight within your association. We provide forecasts based on major trend analyses and equip you and your volunteer leaders with the necessary tools and processes for effective scanning. 

ASAE ForesightWorks is a research initiative designed to help associations with environmental scanning and planning for change. The program offers continuous strategic intelligence on drivers of change, practical tools, and engagement opportunities. Each driver is detailed in an action brief that explores its implications and suggests ways associations can respond. 

Each driver of change is categorized into a thematic area, listed below. Click on each area to explore the different drivers and their summaries: 

• Content, Learning, and Knowledge 
• Data and Technology 
• Demographics and Membership 
• Economic Conditions 
• Society and Politics 
• Workforce and Workplace 

ASAE FORESIGHTWORKS NEWS  

Introducing the 2024 New Drivers of Change  

Stay ahead of the curve with insights into these critical drivers of change. Explore the potential forecasts, key trends, and challenges that will impact our industry, and society, in the years to come.  

• AI and Intellectual Property: Understand how advances in AI are transforming intellectual property laws and practices.  
• AI and Learning: Discover the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and educational methods.  
• Emerging Gen Z: Explore the characteristics and expectations of the newest generation entering the workforce.  
• Preventing AI Risks and Harms: Learn strategies for mitigating potential risks and ethical concerns associated with AI technologies.  
• The Talent Drought: Address the growing challenge of talent shortages and strategies for attracting and retaining skilled professionals.  

ASAE FORESIGHTWORKS RESOURCES 

ASAE ForesightWorks Complete Collection (2024 edition) 

• ASAE ForesightWorks User’s Guide: Designing Your Association’s Journey into Foresight (PDF) offers guidance and resources for starting your foresight journey, prioritizing drivers of change, and templates to spark meaningful conversations.  

Also available for individual purchase in print or digital. 

• Summaries of 50 Key Disruptors Identified by ASAE ForesightWorks (PDF) highlight various issues affecting associations and their communities, with relevance across multiple industries and society. The summaries are presented in alpha order and by thematic area. 
• Drivers of Change are detailed in four-page action briefs (PDFs), designed for flexible use.  Each brief offers a quick introduction with key forecasts and uncertainties, highlights key trends and supporting data, provides broad insights, timing, and potential futures, and suggests actions for association leaders.
• Quick Start Guide (PDF) to help you easily navigate and begin using the tools and resources available for foresight practice.
• Archived Drivers of Change, accompanied by the Archived Drivers of Change Summaries (PDF), are detailed four-page action briefs (PDFs) removed from the main list due to outdated data but remain relevant for addressing current issues in association management.
• Special Feature: Purchasers of the ASAE ForesightWorks Complete Collection will receive free updates to the existing drivers of change, the summaries document, and the archived summaries document. 

This research brief explains the concept of foresight, offers tips on using the drivers of change, and demonstrates how to do your own future-focused scanning.

 

ASAE FORESIGHTWORKS COURSES

 

Foresight Application Course 1: Applying Foresight to Strategy and Operations

 

Foresight Application Course 2: Embedding Foresight into Your Association

 

Interested in learning more? Fill out this Interest Form to receive early notifications about our upcoming course registration.