Last year ended not with a bang but with a whimper. Weak international trade and subdued investments affected global growth, bringing it to its slowest pace since 2009. The outlook for 2017 seems slightly brighter, but a number of unknowns loom on the horizon. From unpredictable political leaders to unclear economic policies and unresolved geopolitical agendas, the year ahead is fraught with uncertainty for decision-makers who rely on facts, patterns and trends to assess risks and shape strategies.