Prepares for the future (5)
I believe the answer is:
plans
'prepares for the future' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for plans that I've seen before include "Detailed proposals for doing something" , "Schemes; diagrams" , "Intentions or drawings" , "Schemes; intentions" , "Stratagems" .)