The Scanning Process

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the process of environmental scanning. It goes in depth by describing different methods used in environmental scanning.

Ways of seeing

Techniques

There are multiple ways to see beyond today and to generate fresh questions, stories, and narrative: 

  • Bookmark sources 
  • Become a newsletter junkie 
  • Experience a service 
  • Go beyond your immediate interests 
  • Look for new inventions 
  • Look outside your industry 
  • Maintain an idea log 
  • Network with forward thinkers 
  • Pick a time frame 
  • Revisit the past 
  • Scan the scanners 
  • Set up a futures panel 
  • Take a global perspective 
  • Vary your routine 
  • Search patents, new books, etc. 
  • Conduct a bibliographic search