Overview
Cooperatives were built to meet the evolving needs of their members and communities. To continue thriving, cooperatives must proactively anticipate future needs, aspirations, and challenges—not just react to them. A Future Needs and Visioning Survey offers a structured way to gather member-driven insights about what the cooperative should prioritize in the coming years.
This best practice outlines how to design a forward-looking survey that informs strategic planning, innovation, and growth.
Core Tactics:
- Frame the Survey as Member-Driven Strategic Planning.
Emphasize that the cooperative’s long-term direction must reflect member voices. Position the survey as an invitation to help shape the future. - Use Principle 6 Survey Templates for Visioning.
Principle 6 provides a customizable Future Needs and Visioning Survey Template that focuses on:- Emerging member needs
- Priority areas for investment or innovation
- Cooperative identity evolution
- Long-term member aspirations
Key Topics to Explore:
| Topic | Sample Questions | Proposed Answer Format |
| Emerging Needs | What new products, services, or support do you believe members will need in the next 5 years? | Open-ended |
| Strategic Priorities | Which of these areas should the cooperative prioritize for investment? (Select up to 3) | Multiple choice |
| Cooperative Identity | How should our cooperative evolve while staying true to our values? | Open-ended |
| Sustainability Goals | How important is sustainability and environmental leadership to our future strategy? | 5-point Likert Scale |
| Technology Adoption | How important is improving digital services (mobile access, online engagement) for future success? | 5-point Likert Scale |
| Community Role | What role should the cooperative play in supporting our broader community? | Open-ended |
- Promote Future Visioning as a Core Member Right and Responsibility.
- Frame participation as an act of cooperative ownership.
- Connect the survey to annual meetings, strategic retreats, or board elections.
- Analyze Trends Across Member Segments.
Break down responses by demographics (if collected):- Are younger members seeking different innovations?
- Are longtime members aligned or diverging in priorities?
- Are certain sectors or regions surfacing unique needs?
- Use Findings to Shape Strategic Planning.
Feed survey results into:- Board strategic retreats
- Annual reports on future planning
- New service development roadmaps
- Close the Feedback Loop.
Always share back:- “What We Heard” summaries
- How member feedback will influence priorities
- Next steps for implementation or deeper exploration