This is a comprehensive document that is a step-by-step guide to obtaining information
necessary to conduct business in a selected industry. The checklist covers subjects
such as: key factors, history of industry, overview of industry, competitive structure,
major markets, supply chain, major players, regulatory requirements, critical success
factors, and notes/comments. This checklist will help define a company’s position in the
industry and identifies possible niche markets for that organization. This document in its
draft form contains standard language commonly used in these types of documents;
however, additional language may be added to fit the needs of the user. Use this form
to obtain information regarding how to conduct business in a particular industry.
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY
Obtaining historical facts about your chosen industry can be as easy as entering search terms into your Internet browser, but knowing what facts to review
can be a little more challenging. If your chosen industry has a long history, then a great deal of that information will be superfluous to this analysis. If,
however, the industry is somewhat new, or has undergone radical changes that affect where it is now and how it is likely to branch out or contract, then a
little more attention should be given to this section. Additionally, if the industry has a long history but with many changes that affect where it is now, and
those changes show a trend, then consider including a time-line highlighting those changes in order to call attention to where the trend might take the
industry in the future.
Date of Emergence of Industry:
Date and summary of major change
#1:
Date and summary of major change
#2:
Date and summary of major change
#3.
Other relevant historical fact:
Resources: Federal Reserve Statistical Release
IRS Industries/Professions
OVERVIEW OF INDUSTRY
How large is the industry?
What sectors does this industry include, and how are they defined in the
marketplace?
What markets are most important for this industry? (Provide an overview here, and
more details in the Market section below.)
What clients and customers are most important for this industry?
List the income predictions currently being made about the industry? Provide details
about past income fluctuations:
List the trends that have affected the industry and those that may be predicted to
shape it in the future:
Provide information regarding what economists and industry watchdogs are
predicting for the industry:
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List the cultural factors that affect the industry and your sector:
List the geographical factors that affect the industry and your sector:
List the economic factors that affect the industry and your sector:
List the demographic factors that affect the industry and your sector.
List the cultural factors that affect the industry and your sector:
List the social factors that affect this industry and your sector:
Provide information on any foreseeable barriers based on the factors listed above:
COMPETITIVE STRUCTURE
This section should draw information from your organization’s Competitive Analysis. Add sections as necessary to capture all applicable information.
Number of competitors in each sector listed above:
Sector #1:
Sector #2:
Sector #3:
Relative strength of each competitor in each sector:
Secto