Rapidly arriving futures : future readiness for Industry 4.0

Abstract

The future being shaped by Industry 4.0 has arrived. Tools are available that anticipate the future, approximate it, estimate it, and select a preferred future; but do we know how to make disruptive futures part of our business and lives? Building on technology readiness levels and manufacturing readiness levels, future readiness levels and a future readiness index are suggested in this paper. The future readiness levels (FRL) are based on readiness at the capability levels of technology, behaviour, event, and future thinking. A future readiness index (FRI) is then determined, based on the entire future thinking space (technology, behaviour, events, and capability to do future thinking). Once the FRL and FRI are known, it will become clear what strategic interventions are required to thrive in a preferred future. The existing and desired situations in future readiness are compared, and the gaps are addressed. This approach provides a tool for the internal monitoring and evaluation of the state of the organisation to remain sustainable and competitive in a future that is fast arriving; to compare organisations competitively in a similar cluster; to benchmark at industry level; and ultimately to have the potential to measure the future readiness of nations.

Die toekoms wat deur Industrie 4.0 bepaal word, het aangebreek. Metodes is beskikbaar om die toekoms te antisipeer, dit te benader, dit af te skat en ’n gekose toekoms te kies; maar weet ons hoe om ontwrigtende toekomste deel van ons besigheid en lewens te maak? Deur voort te bou op tegnologiegereedheidsvlakke en vervaardigingsgereedheidsvlakke, word toekomsgereedheidsvlakke en ’n toekomsgereedheidsindeks in die artikel voorgestel. Toekomsgereedheid is gebaseer op gereedheid op die tegnologie, gedrag, gebeurtenis en vermoë tot toekomsdenke vlakte. Die gereedheidsindeks word bepaal deur die totale toekomsdenke ruimte. Wanneer die gereedheidsmetings beskikbaar is, kan daar op strategiese ingryping besluit word, wat sukses in die toekoms sal bepaal. Bestaande en verlangde toekomsgereedheid kan bepaal word en die gapings tussen hierdie toestande kan aangespreek word. Die benadering verskaf ’n metode vir interne monitering en evaluering van die toestand van die organisasie wat dit in staat stel om kompeterend te bly in ’n toekoms wat vinning naderkom, om kompeterende vergelyking te doen van organisasies in soortgelyke besigheid, om op industrievlak te vergelyk, sowel as om, uiteindelik, na die toekomsgereedheid van nasies te kyk.