PEST analysis
Organize political, economic, social, and technological factors that could affect a defined business decision.
Set a business, region, and time window before gathering external observations. This template uses four PEST categories; PESTLE separates legal and environmental factors into two additional categories.
Dated observations and sources about the external environment, with their possible effects and uncertainties.
A scoped view of external factors and the evidence to check before acting.
How to use it
- Define the decision, region, and period.
- Place supported observations in the four categories.
- Explain why each observation matters and what remains uncertain.
- Choose the sources or changes to check next.
Keep its limits in mind
This diagram does not forecast events or verify policy or market claims. Empty categories show missing evidence, not the absence of risk.
Checking the context for a coffee shop trial
This fictional neighborhood coffee shop is considering an order-ahead trial. The notes are practice inputs, not current market or policy claims.
On a small screen, scroll across the diagram to read it.
Missing evidence: No policy information was supplied. The blank category is a research gap.
Next check: Review the dated quotes and test the provider feature before estimating trial costs.
Next step: Gather the missing scope and evidence before making a launch decision.
Check your work
- The scope is explicit.
- Each factor concerns the external environment.
- Observations and possible effects remain distinguishable.
- Dates and sources are retained where supplied.
Method references
Put the method to work
Use this framework in the English Workspace with early access. Local generation copies clearly labeled fields; you can edit the diagram afterwards.
Open in Workspace