This document provides guidance on using a STEP industry analysis tool to evaluate external market conditions and trends from social, technological, economic, and political perspectives. The tool is meant to help organizations deeply assess implications and develop an action plan. Users are instructed to determine the appropriate scope of analysis and complete the implications sections for each area before creating an action plan.

1. STEP Industry Analysis Tool
Purpose
The purpose of this tool is to provide assistance with evaluating external market conditions &
trends from the following perspectives: Social, Technological, Economic, and Political.
The Implications section for each area is the most important aspect of the analysis. Be sure
to deeply assess how each issue will impact your organization. Once you have completed
the analysis sections, develop an Action Plan for moving forward.
Scope
Determine if your analysis will cover conditions and trends for global, national, local, industry,
or specific markets. Be consistent with your scope for all sections of the analysis.
STEP Industry Analysis
Social
Trend 1:
Trend 2:
Condition 1:
Implications:

2. Technological
Condition 1:
Condition 2:
Trend 1:
Implications:
Economic
Condition 1:
Condition 2:
Condition 3:
Implications:

3. Political
Condition 1:
Condition 2:
Trend 1:
Implications:
Action Plan
1. Step 1
2. Step 2
3. Step 3