Title: Exploratory roadmapping for foresight

Authors: David A. Beeton, Robert Phaal, David R. Probert

Addresses: Centre for Technology Management, Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX, UK. ' Centre for Technology Management, Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX, UK. ' Centre for Technology Management, Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX, UK

Abstract: The importance of the exploratory front-end of strategy is well established in fields such as foresight and knowledge management. However, it has received little consideration by roadmapping practitioners and researchers. This is partly explained by the fact that roadmaps are traditionally a convergent, goal-oriented outline of a sequence of activities and actions. It can also be attributed to the fact that knowledge exploitation tends to dominate over knowledge exploration, as the former delivers clearer and more tangible returns. This paper investigates how roadmapping may be applied for knowledge exploration, considering the conceptual underpinnings and a practical example in which an exploratory roadmap was developed for foresight in the packaging sector.

Keywords: roadmap; technology roadmapping; strategic planning; knowledge exploration; strategy front-end; innovation management; consumer packaging; competitive intelligence; foresight; knowledge management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2008.020871

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2008 Vol.4 No.4, pp.398 - 412

Published online: 21 Oct 2008 *

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