Decision support based on weak signals-overcoming the implementation gap of strategic early warning systems

Strategic early warning systems are the company's eyes and ears to the surrounding world. The sensitivity and the perception of weak signals announcing changes in the rules of the game are vital elements of strategic management competencies. It is not only to have eyes and ears, it is also to understand the language of the weak signals. How demanding the development of this competence is, was underestimated by many companies. That lead to an implementation gap. The Fraunhofer IFF developed a concept to overcome this gap with a dualistic approach: increasing the participation on the one hand and the efficiency of the early warning process with adequate methods on the other hand.