The need to strategically manage public policy developments affecting business requires a broadened role for competitive intelligence. Public policy competitive intelligence (PPCI) can provide early warning of threats and opportunities that affect company strategy and allow decision makers to take appropriate action such as working to create, change or defeat legislation or regulation, or taking a public stance on key policy issues. In some cases, it also may be appropriate to respond to public policy developments by altering the company's mission, changing vendors/suppliers, and entering or exiting product or service lines. Public policy issues to monitor include those involving national and regional regulation, taxation, privatization, government expenditures, and actions affecting takeovers, among others. Companies also must monitor global, social, and political factors. Competitive intelligence professionals should collaborate with their colleagues in government relations, community relations, and corporate affairs. A comprehensive assessment of the company's public policy environment (PPE) should be performed. A framework is proposed for a continuous public policy strategy process. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.