Trends intelligence systems provide a sophisticated external scan of trends and issues with potential for affecting an organization or industry.

This is the database for determining an organization's most pressing forces — those trends or trend components that, if they continue as projected, are likely to have the most impact on an organization's mission and vision for the future.

These systems help in "keeping your eyes on the things you cannot see," to borrow a line from futurist Michael Kami.

Tracking issues these days can be overwhelming. A good trends intelligence system cuts through the mounds of data, turning information into useful intelligence both for immediate decision-making and longer-term scenarios.