For forecasting purposes the surveillance category is made up of three technique (process) areas; scanning, monitoring, and tracking.

Scanning is the process of looking broadly for events and trends that may imply an impact (threat or opportunity) upon the technical arena of particular interest. The activity is not unfocused, nor is it undirected; rather it is purposeful in effort to skim and detect. An individual who can discipline himself or herself to follow a scanning process can review great volumes of material in very short periods of time. Once potential information or data is detected, monitoring is used.

Monitoring is the process of specifically, and with a defined purpose, following the technological developments in a particular area. Monitoring may be done by an individual or as a team or group effort. Not only are information and data gathered, they are analyzed for meaning and impact and the results communicated in some meaningful way. It is virtually impossible to develop a forecast without using monitoring techniques.

Tracking is the process of carefully and purposefully following a greatly narrowed range of technological development. The frequency of activity is greatly increased in a technological tracking mode. The results of this activity are of immediate value and can be used for both operational and strategic decisions.