At a time when external factors are changing rapidly and investments must be planned for the longer term, Nacka Water and Waste chose to take a step beyond the traditional three-year plan and set its sights on what the organization needs to look like in 2040. Together with RISE, they have carried out a foresight study to future-proof their operations and strengthen their ability to deliver social benefits.
Water and wastewater organizations face complex challenges linked to long-term trends such as climate change, increased sustainability requirements, financing issues, and new business models. Through proactive foresight work, organizations can strengthen their strategic capabilities and achieve long-term sustainability.
“Foresight is a scientific discipline and method that looks toward longer time horizons. It helps us understand how uncertainties, trends, and developments today affect the future, and gives us better conditions to meet future opportunities and challenges,” says Robert Gladh, an expert at RISE.
He continues:
"In our collaboration with Nacka Water and Waste, we started with major global trends such as climate change and digitalization and translated them into concrete measures."
We need to have a good understanding of the external factors that may affect our investments and decisions within the company in the longer term in order to secure our business for the future.
The need for a long-term perspective
The foresight work carried out in collaboration with RISE gave Nacka Water and Waste the opportunity to broaden its horizons and discuss issues that are often perceived as abstract and difficult to concretise. The focus was on long-term risks, opportunities and how today's decisions will affect operations in 10–20 years' time.
“I saw a need to develop the strategy beyond the three-year business plan, which has been customary in Nacka. We need to have a good understanding of the external factors that may affect our investments and decisions within the company in the longer term in order to secure our operations for the future,” says Mats Rostö, CEO of Nacka Water and Waste.
Concrete and strategic value
The collaboration has provided valuable insights that have been translated into concrete benefits for the organization. The analysis is based on solid research, which forms the basis for the report's recommendations.
“As CEO, this gives me a clear and concrete basis for developing an action plan based on the analysis and the priorities and adjustments discussed between the company management and the board,” says Mats Rostö.
Through joint discussions with RISE and the board, issues that previously felt elusive were clarified and prioritized.
“Our participation in the discussions together with RISE and the company's board helped to strengthen our collective intelligence on issues that are often abstract and difficult to formulate,” says Mats Rostö.
Foresight is about making complex future issues more manageable. It equips us to act proactively.
Lessons learned and next steps
- The foresight work made it possible to calibrate priorities against strategic issues:
- Identify areas where the business is already on the right track
- Highlight processes that need to be strengthened
- Create a long-term basis for decision-making for the board and management
"Foresight is about making complex future issues more manageable. It equips us to act proactively and create long-term value for both the business and society. Nacka Water and Waste has a mission today, but also a responsibility to deliver on that mission in the future. To do this, the organization and working methods need to change. This can be done, for example, by working with scenario planning or having a coherent strategy for skills provision," says Robert Gladh.
RISE – your partner for future-proof water and wastewater operations
RISE helps water and wastewater operators navigate a changing world with research-based foresight and strategic planning. By combining analytical strength with practical tools, we support you in setting the right priorities, creating long-term value, and ensuring societal benefits even under uncertain conditions.
Contact us to discuss how we can future-proof your business and strengthen your preparedness for tomorrow's challenges.
Read more about our offering: Future-proof your water and wastewater operations with foresight and strengthen your preparedness for future challenges
