QUEST. Quick environmental scanning technique

A scanning procedure designed to assist executives and planners in keeping abreast of change and its implications for organizational strategies and policies. The procedure permits administrators and top executives to share their views and to develop a shared understanding of high priority issues, future options, and eventualities, which have implications for the institution. QUEST produces a) a comprehensive and ample analysis of the environment and b) assigns a value and analyses the capacity of the institutions and their strategic options for negotiating with the external environment. The QUEST procedure involves four stages: a) preparation b) environmental scanning workshop c) intermediate analysis and report d) strategic options workshop and follow-up.