Going forward is a relatively new and apparently convenient way to indicate a progression in time from the present. The term suggests a continuing and progressive movement rather than, as in the future can sometimes mean, some specific future date. Like many such expressions, it means enough to be useful while also being suitably vague. The term is widely used in annual reports and other corporate statements and, like such terms as venue and cautionary tale, seems to have been readily adopted by news media writers. The term has become increasingly popular in press releases from Internet start-ups and newly public companies.
"Going forward" also has a longer-standing usage as the starting, continuing, or resumption of activity on something that has been planned previously, such as an engineering project or a summit conference.