Environmental scanning is the process through which an organization gathers, analyzes, and interprets information from the internal and external environment to identify potential opportunities and threats that could impact its strategic decisions.
- The purpose of environmental scanning is to identify internal and external elements that determines the future of the organization.
1. Types of Environmental Scanning
Environmental scanning may be classified into two types consisting of:
- Concentrated Scanning
- Comprehensive Scanning
▪️ Concentrated Scanning
Concentrated scanning is a focused and targeted approach where the organization pays close attention to one specific area of the environment.
▪️ Comprehensive Scanning
Comprehensive scanning takes a broader and more holistic view of the environment. Instead of focusing on a single issue, it covers all major external factors, often summarized using the PESTLE framework:
- Political
- Economic
- Social
- Technological
- Legal
- Environmental/Ecological
