3/4/2015

SWOT Analysis Click4it

SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis
From Click4it
SWOT ANALYSIS
A tool that identifies the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of an organization.
Specifically, SWOT is a basic, straightforward model that assesses what an organization can and
cannot do as we l as its potential opportunities and threats. The SWOT analysis takes the information
from an environmental analysis and separate it into internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external
issues (opportunities and threats). Once this is completed, the SWOT analysis determines what can be
of assistance to the organization in
accomplishing its objectives, and what obstacles must be minimized to achieve desired
results. [1]

Conducting a SWOT Analysis

To conduct a SWOT analysis identify the following four categories of the SWOT Matrix:
1. Strengths: Internal competences, valuable resources or attributes that an organization can
use to exploit the external environment. For example: competitive advantages, resources,
certifications, experience, management cover, communication. The aim of the SWOT is to
maintain, build, and leverage.
2. Weaknesses: Internal lack of competence, resources or attributes that an organization
requires to perform in the external environment. For example: gaps in capabilities, reputation,
financials, and reliability of data. The aim of the SWOT is to remedy or exit.
3. Opportunities: External possibilities that an organization can pursue or exploit to gain benefit.
For example : market developments, competitors' vulnerabilities, information and research. The
aim of the SWOT is to prioritize and optimize them.
4. Threats: External factors that has the potential to reduce an organization's performance. For
example: political and environmental effects, market demand, IT developments. The aim of the
SWOT is to counter them.
Strengths and Opportunities are identified as enhancers to desired performance, while Weaknesses
and
Threats are inhibitors.[2]

SWOT Matrix
http://www.click4it.or g /index.php/SWOT_Analy
sis

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Step by Step
A brainstorming session is conducted to get inputs about the strengths of the organization.
The facilitator distributes paper cards and asks participants to write what are the things that they
consider as strengths within the organization. Everyone is a lowed to write as many things as
they want. The facilitator then collects a l the paper cards and places them on a board. Inputs that
are redundant are discharged
The same procedure is repeated for weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Categorize a l the SWOT factors into the Matrix and work to build consensus around their
placement. The situation is then analyzed with the objective of identifying ways in which the
organizations strengths can be built, upon to overcome the identified weaknesses, and
opportunities can be taken to minimize threats.
A strategy for making improvements is formulated and subsequently developed, using any
planning tool. [3]

Job Aid
Swot Matrix Template
Conducting a SWOT Analysis

References

1. www.answers.com (http://www.answers.com) (20 August 2008), www.netmba.com

(http://www.netmba.com) (20 August 2008), en.wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org) (20 August
2008)
2. www.businessba ls.com (http://www.businessba ls.com) (3 October 2008), web.worldbank.org
(http://web.worldbank.org)
3. www.quickmba.com (http://www.quickmba.com) (13 August 2008), Wikipedia
(http://www.wikipedia.org) (13 August 2008), Project Cycle Management Guidelines,
European Commission, 2004
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