Which tool or method is used to assess the general business environment?

PEST analysis is a tool specifically designed to examine the external factors that can influence the broader business environment. It stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological factors. By analyzing these categories, PEST analysis helps organizations identify the macro-environmental factors that might affect their operations and strategic decisions.

Understanding the business environment is crucial for organizations because it allows them to anticipate changes, adapt to shifts in the marketplace, and identify potential opportunities or threats. PEST analysis offers a structured approach to evaluating these influences, which is essential for effective strategic planning.

While tools like SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces focus on competitive positioning and internal strengths/weaknesses, respectively, they do not provide the same comprehensive overview of the external environmental factors as PEST analysis does. Value chain analysis, on the other hand, delves into the internal activities of a company to assess efficiency and value creation but does not address external influences on the business environment.