p.5 Rather than seeking accuracy-dependence of a predictive forecast as in conventional competitive analysis,
backcasts indicate the relative feasibility and implications of different end states a firm may have set for itself. In this
sense, the futures become the cause, rather than the effect, of present planning and actions.
p.5 The major distinguishing characteristic of backcasting over forecasting is a
concern, not with what future is likely to happen, but with how desirable futures can be attained.
p.7 By concentrating on a number of prospective futures, managerial thinking would not be constrained by
past paradigms and present assumptions. As a result, strategic thinking can be simulated to assess the potential consequences
and implications of these multiple targets which have been envisaged and constructed for a particular firm.
p.7-8 the necessary steps to reach feasible scenarios (goals and paths) in the future will depend predominantly
on the interaction of environmental driving forces and the firm's strategy in developing certain competencies. Their mutual
effect may influence the speed and direction of the range of potential paths.
p.8 To obtain a clearer picture of the interaction between environmental factors and organizational
competence-building, a firm needs to develop its absorptive capacity in scanning data for competitive intelligence. From both
electronic databases and manual searches, data sources can be combed for signals or cues that could provide clues
in ascertaining the competitive strengths of firms... the more important question of 'what to look for' and
'how to recognize a useful signal when you encounter one' must be answered by those with particular skill set.
p.15 We echo Porter's contention that "gathering data is a waste of time unless they are used in formulating
strategy" [18, p.74] [JLJ - Porter, Competitive Strategy, 1980]
p.19 The paths leading toward the desirable futures need to be constructed in a flexible manner, taking
into account the possibility of unforeseenable drivers. [JLJ - unforeseenable? Is that allowedable?]
