Table 1. Steps of an External Environmental Analysis, and Adaptation for an Applied Policy Analysis.

Step	Application for a Strategic Analysis	Application for an Applied Policy Analysis
Scanning	To identify early signals of shifts in the external environment.	Search and data collection: To identify the different components of the main food system drivers based on the analytical framework as they relate to the Australian packaged food sector.
Monitoring	To understand the implications through ongoing observations of changes and trends.	Ongoing observations and data collection: To understand the impact of and any change in food system drivers – what, how and why.
Forecasting	To develop projections of the future based on monitoring.	Ongoing exploration: To understand how food system drivers might impact the willingness of food companies to voluntarily reduce salt in packaged foods.
Assessing	To determine when, how, and the relative importance of change and trends for a company strategy and management.	Ongoing exploration: To identify any implications for similar policy aiming to change the food environment, and interpretation of findings.