Futures Thinking Icon No. 3: Three Horizons.

You should read this if… you are a leader working in strategy or transformation and looking for a practical way to balance today’s operational realities with long‑term transformation. This article introduces the Three Horizons framework, originally developed by Bill Sharpe, as a powerful tool for futures thinking that helps leaders distinguish between what must be sustained in the present, what is emerging and disruptive, and what could ultimately replace today’s dominant systems. It explains how using the three horizons together enables organisations to address short‑term performance while simultaneously nurturing innovation and preparing for deep, long‑term change—reducing tension between “business as usual” and the futures you need to build.