Environmental Scanning

Environmental scanning comprises collecting and analysing data from a variety of sources about change factors:

• demographic;
• social;
• economic;
• technological;
• sustainability;
• political.

Environmental scanning is a vital ingredient in forecasting, futures research, and planning.  As the world is multivariate (everything can influence anything) knowledge of trends in these environments identifies points of discontinuity, opportunities and threats.

It is important to tap into a wide range of data sources and to be critical of them.  Ideally, several independent sources should confirm trends before we believe them.

Here is a selection of information sources:

• Government websites and publications provide comprehensive data about demography, the economy, and much more.  Agencies such as the United Nations, the World Bank and OECD publish global data and international comparisons.
• Some market research companies and advertising agencies have attitudinal tracking over a long period of time.
• Magazines, such as New Scientist and Wired, cover technological change.
• The Worldwatch Institute publishes an annual report (Vital Signs) on environmental, social, and economic trends.
• The World Future Society publishes information about trends in all environments.
• American Demographics publishes demographic and social analysis.
• Books such as "Clicking" by Faith Popcorn and "Next" by Ira Matathia and Marian Salzman contain some interesting ideas about social change.