Following are the methods of environmental scanning:

  1. Executive opinion method: Under this environment is forecasted on the basis of opinion and views of top executives.
  2. Delphi Techniques: Outsides experts are used in scanning the environmental factors and their impacts.
  3. Extrapolating method: Under this method past information is used to predict the future. Trend analysis‚ regression analysis etc is being used to identify the trends.
  4. Scenario building: Under this method‚ different scenario that may reflect the future are built. These scenarios address the contingencies and help in better understanding the changes and impacts of the environmental factors.