TRENDS MATRIX (tool)
Brief description
High-level summary of how trends and forces change and affect technology, business, people, culture, and policy. At-a-glance understanding of how trends impact your project.
Step
Empathize
Input
Research and Discovery Data
Output
Matrix with an organized set of trends. Trend patterns and possible directions
Time
1 – 2 hrs.
Difficulty
2/5
People
2 – 5 (participants)
Quick Guide
- Identify the topic of interest and make research.
- Set up the axis of the matrix, according to your interests.
- Vertical axis: technology, business, people, culture and policy.
- Horizontal axis (aspects of the projects that you are interested in tracking): types of users, topics and components.
- Fill the matrix with relevant trends (trend statements). Answer the question: What trends are relevant to this challenge?
- Discuss the matrix and compare how trends are related between them.
- Recognize patterns or similar trends that are developing together.
Benefits
- Creates an overview.
- Maps change over time.
- Defines direction and reveals opportunities.
- Encourages comprehensiveness.
Helpful Tips
- A trend statement is usually a short sentence that describe something significantly changing.
- Plan according your available resources and time.
- Speculate on future directions.
Application
