Selecting an appropriate method for technology forecasting: GIS technology case study

Today technological changes have accelerated to a great deal and future planning needs a deep understanding of these changes. This understanding incorporates precise study of introduction of new and vital technologies. Planning is one of the main applications of forecasting. Technology forecasting lets you to draw the future more clearly and design a better plan for future. There are several methods for technology forecasting. One is patent analysis. This article tries to track the changes of GIS (gas insulated substation) technology and its important subsystems by the means of patent information.