Environmental Scanning
Environmental Scanning Definition
The process of environmental scanning refers to monitoring an organization’s relevant environment to identify opportunities and threats affecting its business.
As well as detecting the early signs of potential changes in the environment, it also identifies the changes in progress. It is a detailed and micro examination of the environment.
Consequently, it is also called the X-ray of the environment, because it normally reveals ambiguous, incomplete, or unconnected data and information.
An environmental trend is assessed by analyzing the uncertainty, complexity, and dynamism of the environment.
Creating a long-term strategic plan that will align with future business conditions, is a continuous process that is normally done when there is a high level of uncertainty in the environment.
Environmental scanning can otherwise be called as SWOT analysis. Environmental scanning occurs in the Proactive phase of strategic conflict management.
For a scanning system to be effective, it must be aligned with the organizational context.
For instance, an environment that is volatile may not be suitable for a stable environment. For environmental scanning, many organizations use special software and the internet.
Based on the above discussion, it can be concluded that environmental scanning involves examining and analyzing the environment continuously to identify new trends emerging.
Strategy makers engage in environmental scanning to be aware of threats and opportunities.