Environmental Scanning: A Look to the Future

ABSTRACT Environmental scanning was originally conceived as a continuous evaluation methodology that identified internal and external trends that might impact an organization's success in the present and future. Best approached holistically and inductively, environmental scanning draws upon internal and external sources of information to determine the broader contextual environment in which a program, policy, or organization operates. Analyzed and reported thematically, environmental scans are used by management, evaluation commissioners, and policymakers to plan, adapt and inform program, policy, and organizational objectives, as well as the wider strategic intent. This methodology is valuable to all organization types due to its non‐structured format but rigorous reliance upon a broad evidence‐base upon which sound strategic and tactical decisions can be made. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of environmental scanning and to discuss its practical applications as a rigorous methodology. Evaluators are encouraged to consider environmental scanning as a valuable addition to their toolkits to help organizations improve outcomes for programs and interventions.