Organizations and businesses that aim to maintain their relevance and thrive must prepare for the challenges of the future. The rapid pace of change in recent years has further highlighted the importance of such preparation. Identifying and analyzing the implications of trends forming in and beyond the business environment can allow the organization to leverage the developments into growth opportunities and competitive advantages. Conversely, ignoring future trends exposes the organization to uncertainties in its business and can turn the trends into strategic threats.

BDO services include analysis of current trends and developing overarching risks in the direct business environment and broader geo-strategic arena, such as disruptive technological innovations, changes in regulation, natural disasters, and more. This analysis forms the foundation for an assessment of the threats and opportunities relevant to the organization and the basis for preparation through resilience planning.

Horizon scans and Future-oriented risk analyses and management

Future risk heat map and mitigation: Mapping of existing and emerging trends in the business environment of the organization and in the geo-strategic environment; flagging causes of uncertainty; and analysis of threats and opportunities for the organization. The analysis may be conducted comprehensively, or in the form of stress tests focused on specific risk portfolios of interest to the client. Deliverables include a prioritized and analyzed list of Future major risks and mitigation strategies.
Risk scenarios: In-depth analysis of key overarching risks providing precise, detailed descriptions of the nature of the individual threats posed to the customer. Following risk analysis, we work with the customer to build a severe-to-reasonable risk scenario, a risk portfolio, and a mitigation plan for achieving readiness and resilience; we also provide guidance and assistance in embedding and carrying out the plan.
Horizon scans: As part of the process of integrating overarching risk scenarios into customers’ risk-management plans, we can assist with the development of capabilities for monitoring the external environment, continuously or periodically, to identify changes in the overarching risk map – shifts in mapped risks, such as faster or slower development, or new risks added to the map, using advanced and unique AI/ML capabilities.

Horizon scanning and future overarching risk analysis and management can be approached using several methodologies; we select the method in coordination with our customers, according to their preferences and the type of risk. Our services include scenario planning workshops, strategic stress testing (e.g. Devil's advocate, back-casting, and red teams), professional information surveys, expert queries, and the use of artificial-intelligence systems designed to analyze trends and generate future scenarios.