Environmental scanning Definition: Environmental scanning is a process of gathering, analysing, and dispensing information for tactical or strategic purposes. Careful monitoring of an organization's internal and external environments for detecting early signs of opportunities and threats that may influence its current and future plans. In comparison, surveillance is confined to a specific objective or a narrow sector. It is monitoring and interpreting sweep of social, political, economic, ecological, and technological events to spot budding trends that could eventually impact industry. Submitted by : Immani Chandra Shekar (Reg. No: 19K61E0020)
Purpose of environmental scanning: Effective utilisation of resources Constant monitoring of resources Strategy formulation Identification of threats and opportunities Useful for the managers Prediction of future
Factors To Be Considered For Environmental Scanning:
Factors affecting environmental appraisal: 1.Factors relating to nature of environment: • Complexity • Flexibility • Hostility • Diversity 2.Factors relating to the organization: • Nature of the business • Age of the organization • Size of the organization • Nature of the markets • Nature of the products 3. Factors relating to strategists: • Age , education and experience • Motivational level • Ability to withstand pressure and strain • Interpersonal relations
Approaches To Environmental Scanning: 1.SYSTEMATIC APPROACH information for environmental scanning collected systematically. Information pertaining to business and industry could be collected continuously to monitor changes. Continuous updating necessary not only for strategic management but also for operational activities. In this approach information is collected relating to mkt customers, changes in legislation govt. policy have a direct impact on organisation. 2.ADHOC APPROACH Organisations conduct special surveys and studies to undertake special projects, evaluate existing strategies or devise new strategies. Changes and unforeseen developments may also be investigated. 3.PROCESSED FORM APPROACH Information used is supplied by govt agencies or private instituitions. Secondary data available from external and internal sources may also be used.
Techniques of environmental scanning: 1.QUEST Analysis: The QUEST (Quick environmental scanning techniques) is a four step process which uses scenario – writing for scanning the environment and identify the strategic options. Internal strategists will observe and identify the major events and trends in the Industry Speculate on a wide range of important ISSUES that might affect the future of their organization Preparing a report summarizing the major issues and their implications and 3-5 scenarios incorporating the major themes of their discussion. Report and scenarios are reviewed by a group of strategists who identify feasible strategic options to deal with the evolving environment. The Four steps involved in applying this technique are:
In the PEST analysis, which involves identifying the political, economic, socio-cultural and technological influences on an organization. 2.PEST Analysis:
SWOT, is an instrumental framework in value based management and strategy formulation to give in-depth information to strength, weakness, opportunity and threats for a particular company / organization. The relationships in a SWOT analysis are generally’ represented by a 2x2 matrix. The ‘Strength’ and ‘Opportunities’ are both positive considerations. ‘Weakness’ and Threats are both negative considerations. 3.SWOT Analysis:
Preparing ETOP Environmental threat and opportunity profile is referred as ETOP profile. It identifies the relevant environmental factors. Such factors might be general environmental factors and task environment factors. Thereafter, it is necessary to identify their nature. Some factors are positive to the organization whereas others are negative. Therefore, it is necessary to find out their impact to the organization. Positive, neutral, and negative sign in ETOP denotes the relevant impact of environmental factors. 4.ETOP Analysis:
Steps involved in the preparation of ETOP: Dividing the environment into different sectors. Analysing the impact of each sector on the organisation. Subdividing each environmental factor into sub factors for a comprehensive ETOP. Analysing the impact of each sub factor on the organisation in the form of a statement. Preparing a summary to show the major factors for the sake of simplicity. Importance of ETOP: • Provides a clear picture to the strategists of the sectors and the different factors in those sectors. • Helps the organisation in knowing where it stands with respect to its environment. • Helps the organisation in formulating appropriate strategy to take advantage of the opportunities and threats in its business.