Prospective in Brazil: The power to build the future

This paper looks at prospective in Brazil for the past 30 years. The prospective approach and methods, with their myriad tools, were adopted by Brazilian governmental bodies and companies in a process of progressive maturation of concepts and models. They brought about major changes for the country and for the companies and governmental bodies in which they were adopted. The following examples stem from the application of the prospective process, with the participation of employees and the population. We chose to highlight results applicable to practical life and visible today: 1) the opening up of the Brazilian economy (BNDES, 1984–90); 2) the anticipation of the global warming issue (ELETRONORTE, 1987–1998); 3) the preparation of a monopolistic oil and gas company to work in a competitive environment (PETROBRAS, 1989–2010); 4) the creation of a highly successful strategic state plan (Minas Gerais state, 2002–2010, and 5) the drafting of a strategic municipal plan (Belo Horizonte Municipal Government, 2009).