Environmental Analysis Paper
University of Phoenix
June 29, 2009
Introduction: Environmental Analysis This paper intends to present an environmental scan that outlines the major issues that are important to the continued future of public education within a large local school district. The objective in using this scan is to use the data found in a manner where educational administrators as well as those stakeholders in education can strategically plan for the future. Environmental scanning is the process where internal interaction concerning external factors regarding an organization can have an impact on an organization’s decision making (Ringland, 2002). There are many benefits in using an environmental scan. First, it allows organizational members to determine the strengths and challenges affecting the organization. This process is useful for several reasons. Environmental scanning helps identify strengths and weaknesses; is an essential element of effective strategic planning; and more importantly, raises awareness about potential issues (Ringland, 2002). Environmental scanning is a strategy that organizations should use in order to identify opportunities and changes that may affect future success. The information obtained from an environmental analysis enables organizations to forecast events, plan for the future and predict changes. There are three external environmental components within an organization and they are: remote environment, industry environment, and operating environment. An environmental analysis will be conducted on the Miami-Dade County Public School System (M-DCPS), using these three components. The remote environment is comprised of external dynamics where many of the fact have a considerable amount of control over the school district, however, the company has little control over them. Additionally, these factors can also include macroeconomic variables such as unemployment and
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