SWOT Analysis

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A successful technique for identifying your Strengths and Weaknesses and study any Opportunities and Threats you face.

The SWOT Analysis requires you to write down answers to the following questions:

  • Strengths, what do you do well? What are your advantages?.. Consider this from your point of view and that of others. Be realistic but not modest, add to this a list of your characteristics, hopefully some of these will be strengths.
  • Weaknesses, What is done badly? What could be improved? What should be avoided? Consider this question from and internal and external perspective – is it possible others see weaknesses you do not? Are your competitors doing better? Be realistic, looking any unpleasant truths face on.
  • Opportunities, What are the interesting trends? Where are the opportunities available to you?
    • Useful opportunities can arise from
      • New technology, changes in the market place
      • Alterations in government policies related to your field
      • Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes etc.
      • Local event
  • Threats, what obstacles to you face? How are your competitors fairing? Could changes in technology threaten your position? Do you have bad debt or cash-flow problems

Strengths and Weaknessess are internal factors Opportunities and Threats are external factors - often identified through PEST or PESTLE analysis

SWOT techniques can be used on:

  • Individuals - for development or career decisions
  • Teams - for development and performance management
  • Organizations for business planning, strategic decision making



External Links

[1] Business Balls - SWOT [2] RapidBI - SWOT Templates [3] Wikipedia - SWOT

[4] RapidBI - PESTLE Analysis template [5] Wikipedia - PEST analysis