The first step in the process of environment analysis is scanning. Scanning involves gathering relevant information about the external environment to identify potential opportunities and threats that may impact an organization.

Scanning is essential for organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of their external environment, which includes factors such as the economic, political, social, technological, and legal aspects. By scanning the environment, organizations can stay updated on trends, changes, and emerging issues that may affect their operations and strategies.

Below are the key points explaining the first step in the process of environment analysis:

1. Scanning
Scanning is the initial step in the process of environment analysis. It involves systematically collecting and analyzing information about the external environment. This information can be obtained from various sources such as market research, industry reports, government publications, news articles, and social media.

2. Purpose of Scanning
The purpose of scanning is to identify potential opportunities and threats that may impact the organization. It helps in understanding the current and future trends, competitor activities, customer preferences, technological advancements, regulatory changes, and other factors that may affect the organization's performance.

3. Tools and Techniques
Scanning can be done using various tools and techniques. These include conducting market research, analyzing industry reports, monitoring social media and online platforms, attending conferences and trade shows, and engaging in competitive intelligence activities.

4. Benefits of Scanning
Scanning provides several benefits to organizations. It helps in identifying emerging opportunities that can be capitalized on, as well as potential threats that need to be mitigated. It also enables organizations to stay proactive and adapt their strategies and operations to changing market conditions. Additionally, scanning helps in identifying gaps in the market, understanding customer needs and preferences, and staying ahead of competitors.

5. Continuous Process
Scanning is not a one-time activity; rather, it is an ongoing process. The external environment is dynamic and constantly evolving, so organizations need to regularly scan and monitor for changes. By continuously scanning the environment, organizations can identify new opportunities and threats in a timely manner and adjust their strategies accordingly.

In conclusion, scanning is the first step in the process of environment analysis. It involves gathering relevant information about the external environment to identify potential opportunities and threats. By conducting a thorough scan, organizations can gain insights into market trends, competitor activities, customer preferences, and other factors that may impact their performance.