A PEST analysis helps you to consider what external influences are important and the extent to which any changes are significant for the future of your organisation.
This simple model provides a summary of some of the questions to ask about key factors in the external environment. It prompts you to ask:
- What environmental factors are affecting the organisation?
- Which of these are most important?
- Which are likely to be most important to the organisation in the next few years?
Some of the influences you may want to consider are outlined below:
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Political (inc. legal) |
- Equality, diversity and human rights legislation
- Improving Working Lives Standard
- Standards for Better Health
- CQC reports
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Economic |
- Alternative employment opportunities
- Cost of living
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Social |
- Employment/unemployment levels
- Population size and structure
- Balancing work and social time
- Attitudes towards harassment and bullying
- Community involvement in clinical quality issues
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Technological |
- Improving access to health related information
- The IT capabilities of your organisation
- The extent to which the organisation uses e-learning and e-technology
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See also NHS Employers Navigating Equality and Diversity Guidance for details on the broad guidance for the NHS.
Example of a PEST analysis
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Political (incl. legal)
- Employment legislation
- Government directives
- Financial policy
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Economic
- Interest rates / Inflation
- Disposable income
- Unemployment
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Social
- Population
- demographics
- Employment opportunities
- Attitudes to work and leisure
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Technological
- Information technology
- developments
- New discoveries / developments
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