'competitive development'?

[Abc123]

Hi,

Assume that you have been asked by the president of your organisation to devise a systematic approach to environmental scanning. The president does not want to be surprised by major market or competitive developments. What would you do?

What does ‘competitive developments’ here mean? Does it mean the president doesn’t want to know that the company’s competitors are having major developments?

Thank you very much.

[Mister_Micawber]

Competitive development is indeed development by competitors, but he certainly wants to know about any; he does not want to be surprised because he hasn’t been told.