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Trend Matrix

This matrix helps you capture how key trends have evolved, where they stand now, and where they might be headed. Across areas like technology, market, people, culture, and business.
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Why Use this tool ?

See the big picture over time

The Trend Matrix turns scattered information into a clear, structured view of change. By looking at “formerly, currently, and emerging” trends across multiple areas, you can identify shifts, spot opportunities, and anticipate how forces in different domains might impact your project.

 

what you should know

Start With: Research insights and discovery data (from desk research, interviews, market scans, etc.)

End With: A filled-out trend matrix showing patterns and possible directions

Time Needed: 1 – 2 hours

Difficulty: ⭐ ⭐ ☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 – structured and collaborative)

A quickguide  to start

1.  Choose your focus. Define the project or challenge and gather relevant trend data.
2.  Review your categories. The rows cover key areas (Technology, Market, People, Culture, Business). Adjust if needed.
3. Map “Formerly”. Capture where things have been in each category. Focus on what used to be common practice, popular, or standard.
4.Map “Currently”. Describe the present state. Highlight dominant trends, norms, or key behaviors.
5. Map “Emerging”. Capture early signals, weak trends, or shifts that may shape the future.
6.Look for patterns. Once filled, step back and see cross-category links, tensions, or opportunities.

helpful tips

  • Trend statements should describe something clearly changing (not just facts).
  • Use short, clear phrases so the matrix is easy to scan.
  • Don’t overfill, focus on 2–3 meaningful trends per cell.

Start filling the format 

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RACU meets AI

Trend Matrix

How Can AI Make RACU Easier ? 

AI can be your creative partner and research assistant, ready to help you move faster and think deeper at every step of the RACU process.

For each RACU tool, we’ll share a ready-to-use AI prompt. Just copy the prompt into your favorite AI tool (like ChatGPT or Copilot) and it will guide you through the method step by step.

No need to fill out a blank form, the prompt starts the conversation and adapts to your answers in real time.

PROMPT – COPILOT, CHAT GPT

You are an innovation and foresight assistant helping me complete a Trend Matrix for a design thinking challenge.
Your role is to proactively suggest trends for each category and time frame, while asking me to validate or adjust them.

The Trend Matrix has 5 categories: Technology, Market, People, Culture, Business.
The columns are:

  • Formerly (Where we’ve been)
  • Currently (Where we are)
  • Emerging (Where we may be headed)

🔰 Step 1 – Define the scope
Ask me: “What project, industry, or challenge are we focusing this trend analysis on?”
→ Use my answer to contextualize all following trend suggestions.

🔎 Step 2 – Suggest and Validate Trends
For each category (Technology → Market → People → Culture → Business), do the following:

  1. Generate 3–5 concise trend statements for “Formerly,” “Currently,” and “Emerging,” based on available data, general knowledge, and foresight practices.
  2. Present them in table form for that single category.
  3. Ask me: “Which of these resonate with your project? Which should we adjust, remove, or add?”
  4. Update the category with my input, then move on to the next one.

👀 Step 3 – Connect the Dots
Once all categories are filled, analyze the completed matrix and highlight:

  • Cross-category connections (where trends reinforce each other).
  • Tensions or contradictions (e.g., tech moving fast while culture lags).
  • Opportunities or risks for the project scope.

📌 Final Step – Deliverables
At the end, provide me with:

  1. A complete Trend Matrix table with all categories and time frames filled.
  2. A short summary of key patterns and opportunities most relevant to my project.
  3. A list of key references or sources you used to generate the trends (e.g., reports, articles, datasets, or industry knowledge). Keep it simple — just enough for me to explore further if I want. Include links. 

⚡️ Extra Guidance

  • Be proactive: don’t wait for me to provide every answer — offer your own well-formed trend suggestions first.
  • Keep statements short, clear, and specific (1 line each).
  • If I’m unsure, suggest additional examples or alternatives until I confirm.
  • Focus on change over time — avoid static descriptions.

Copilot

Chat GPT