Environmental
scanning
University of Missouri Extension programming is based on continual
scanning of the environmental and listening to Missourians, who express
ongoing needs, aspirations and issues
in communities throughout the state.
Formal and non-formal environmental
scanning allows MU Extension to design and develop
responsive programs without delay and
to focus on programming priorities of
the future.
Its purpose is to identify signals
of change in the external environment
to gain lead time in responding or
adapting to issues important to
Missouri learners. An example of a
formal statewide process is the 1998
deliberative-group process that
involved 7,012 citizens in 275
sessions in each of Missouri's 114
counties. This process resulted in
identification of issues, concerns and
educational aspirations of
Missourians.
These issues informed the direction
of county plans of work, the 21st
Century Strategic Direction and
content-based strategic plans.
Extension councils in each county
worked with faculty and staff to
develop relevant plans of work based
on environmental scanning information.
Campus faculty members reviewed the
county plans and performed a "gap
analysis" to determine statewide
program needs in relationship to state
and national research and trends, and
to identify delivery systems needed to
meet those needs. This analysis was
helpful in developing 21st century
strategic program and resource plans.