Quick environmental scanning: A New Zealand application

The current economic and social uncertainty in New Zealand has highlighted the need for environmental scanning processes and futures research techniques that will enable organizations to identify issues of strategic importance to their future. This paper describes the development and use of an environmental scanning process in New Zealand’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) to help that organization identify major issues that would affect its future role in the South Island of New Zealand. The process is modeled on a futures research technique. QUEST (Quick Environmental Scanning Technique) and allows for quick and relatively inexpensive scanning of the environment. This paper reports on modifications made to QUEST, issues associated with its use, participants’ evaluation of the total process, and conclusions reached.