Forecasting for planning: Qualitative techniques

In our first two articles, we described the new environment in which we are living, its impact on forecasting and decision‐making, and the importance of being able to identify turning points in a dynamic environment. Because the influence of new factors on system dynamics may preclude the use of quantitative methods for establishing historical relationships, the need for qualitative techniques has increased due to deviations from historical trends and relations, changes in consumer attitudes and preferences, energy and ecology considerations, emphasis on the individual's ability to shape community and social strategies, and other such factors.