SWOT Analysis

S

You will have to identify the stuff that makes you or your company, or your project, good; what makes you stand out; what makes you better than the competition; why are you proud on your company? By identifying the strengths you have some clues on which assets from you or your company to build on.

W

Actually the opposite of strengths. List all the things that need improvement. Be harse to yourself, as this is most of the time a difficult part to answer, especially about yourself. Ask collegues or others to help out. You need this, as it provides the issues you have to improve.

O

As the two previous quadrants from SWOT analysis covered more or less internal properties of you, a company or a project, the last two should be more viewed as aspects of the surroundings of the subject that is analyzed. Opportunities are of course positive possibilities for the individual or organization. The items from which the subject can gain something. Opportunities to get a bigger market share, to sell more units.

T

Finally the threats are the opposite of the opportunities in the SWOT analysis. They cover all the items that can bring the status quo in danger, or can be a risk for an opportunity.

And after creating all the bullets next to every aspect, you have to align the quadrants:
search for the opportunities with the biggest gain; use your strengths to reach these opportunities and the conquer the threats. Improve your weaknesses, or steer away from them to maximize the change for success.


written by harish