Survey of Long-Term Technology Forecasting Methodologies

Abstract : Technology forecasting can be used in two important ways: to assess the military (or other) applicability of recognized emerging technologies and to seek new or breakthrough approaches for solving existing problems. This document reviews some methodologies that have been used in attempts to forecast future technologies. These methodologies include formal approaches E.G., BRAINSTORMING, THE Delphi Technique, the Horizon Mission Methodology (HMM), Service studies, and the Institute for Defense Analyses involvement in the Military Critical Technologies (MCT) process and informal approaches (e.g., science fiction).The primary focus is on the longer term (perhaps 50 years in the future) and on potentially applicable military technologies.