STRENGTHS + WEAKNESSES + OPPORTUNITIES + THREATS
S.W.O.T. analysis is a fundamental strategic planning tool
Following are select questions to help unveil the most significant strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats:
INTERNAL FACTORS
Leadership, Creativity and Innovation, People Skills including Know How, Expertise, and Problem Solving Capability, Quality, Timing, Brand, Reputation, Costs, Distribution, Marketing, Location, Finances including Cash Flow.
STRENGTHS
What INTERNAL FACTORS are your strengths, advantages and uniqueness as compared to your competitors? What gives you an advantage over your competitors? What products or services does your organization generate that are uncommon or scarce, valuable, not easily copied, and not easily substituted? WEAKNESSES What INTERNAL FACTORS make you vulnerable to competitive attack? What INTERNAL FACTORS cause you to lose sales? What INTERNAL FACTORS do your customers want you to improve? In what INTERNAL FACTORS are your competitors doing better than you? EXTERNAL FACTORS Changes in population, social, economic, political, and legal regulations, taxation, patterns & profiles, globalization and influences, Industry or lifestyle trends, seasonal, climate, weather, demographic changes, fashion influences, research & technology development and innovation, changes in quality standards, new and niche market development, competitors' vulnerabilities. OPPORTUNITIES What EXTERNAL FACTORS could your organization possibly take advantage of? THREATS What INTERNAL FACTORS could pose as threats to your organization? |