environmental scan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "environmental scan" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in business and strategic planning contexts to refer to the process of analyzing external factors that could impact an organization. Example: "Before we finalize our strategy, we need to conduct an environmental scan to identify potential opportunities and threats in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make it part of your Before Action Review environmental scan.

Yale University

Provide a clear and concise summary of an environmental scan of the relevant field.

Yale University

The goal of an environmental scan is to take a careful look at similar work being done in your area of study.

Yale University

We performed an environmental scan of currently available websites providing educational information about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and evaluated the quality of these websites.

Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism

We performed an environmental scan for each disease subcategory to populate this framework with existing knowledge, levels of evidence, and degrees of public interest.

Duke University

As the old administration leaves, it is always wise for the board, led by its chair, to undertake an environmental scan to determine a next good "fit".

Huffington Post

Conduct your own assessment of your current state -- we call it an "environmental scan" -- and formulate and voice your own opinions about the direction the company should take as part of the process.

Huffington Post

It is critical to undertake a comprehensive environmental scan of the strengths of the institution, market position, likely challenges, financing, program growth, assessment practices, and brand recognition that complements internal assessments.

HuffPost

We conducted an environmental scan to identify active surveillance systems.

Drug Safety

We conducted an environmental scan of the grey literature and consulted with experts and patients.

BMC Health Services Research

We conducted an online environmental scan in 2011 to identify adult weight management services throughout Canada.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In strategic documents, follow the "environmental scan" with an explanation of how the findings will influence decision-making.

Common error

An "environmental scan" should be conducted periodically to reflect changing conditions. Avoid treating it as a static report.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "environmental scan" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., conduct, perform, undertake). It refers to a process or activity. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to identify factors impacting future directions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

Academia

20%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "environmental scan" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a process of systematically analyzing the external environment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across scientific, academic, and news contexts. When writing, ensure to specify the scope of the "environmental scan" for clarity and to conduct scans periodically to keep up with changing conditions. Alternatives like "environmental assessment" or "situational analysis" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

environmental assessment

Replaces 'scan' with 'assessment', emphasizing a more formal evaluation process.

horizon scanning

Focuses on identifying emerging issues and trends that may impact the organization.

situational analysis

Focuses on the current situation and its components, rather than a broad scanning approach.

contextual analysis

Highlights the importance of understanding the context surrounding a particular issue or situation.

market analysis

Specifically targets the market environment, omitting broader factors.

landscape review

Implies a comprehensive overview, often used in research or strategic contexts.

preliminary assessment

Focuses on the initial stage of evaluating the environment.

external audit

Suggests a formal examination of external factors, typically for compliance or risk management.

industry overview

Specifically targets the industry, focusing on relevant trends and competitive forces.

strategic foresight

Emphasizes predicting future trends based on current environmental conditions.

FAQs

How is an "environmental scan" used in strategic planning?

An "environmental scan" helps organizations identify opportunities and threats, informing strategic decisions and resource allocation. It provides a foundation for setting realistic goals and developing effective strategies.

What's the difference between an "environmental scan" and a market analysis?

While market analysis focuses specifically on market conditions and trends, an "environmental scan" is broader, encompassing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors (PESTLE analysis).

What are some alternatives to "environmental scan"?

You can use alternatives like "environmental assessment", "situational analysis", or "landscape review" depending on the context.

What are the key components of a comprehensive "environmental scan"?

A comprehensive "environmental scan" typically includes an analysis of economic factors, social trends, technological advancements, political and regulatory changes, and the competitive landscape.