Swot Analysis

Business Plan-model

SWOT Chart

Place results into a project action list (see below)	Strengths	Weaknesses
Opportunities	[.e.g. highly skilled staff] [e.g. state of the art equipment]	[e.g. high cost structure] [e.g. high debt] [..more]
Opportunities	How do we use these strengths to take advantage of these opportunities	How do we overcome these weaknesses that limit us taking advantage of these opportunities
Threats	[e.g. high dollar] [e.g. lack of materials]	[e.g. high debt] [e.g. aging workforce]
Threats	How do we use our strengths to reduce the likelihood and impact of these threats	How do we overcome these weaknesses to prevent these threats becoming a reality

Conducting a SWOT Analysis

Consider the business’ strengths – these are the internal factors within the business that make it strong or if accessed and utilised properly will enhance the strength of the business.
Consider the business’ weaknesses – what internally is or has the potential of holding back the business.
Consider Opportunities for the business – what external factors, if exploited well, will provide an opportunity for the business.
Consider threats to the business – what external issues, if not properly managed will lead to a threat to the business’ ongoing survival and success.

Sometimes it is a good idea to categorise these SWOTS into broad subject headings and then rate them from 1 to 10 with 1 as a threat or weakness and 10 as a strength or opportunity.

Broad areas to consider include:

Strength/Weakness

Sales and Performance Issues
Personnel
Resources
Financial Issues
Growth Potential

Opportunities/Threats

Economy
Competition
Technology
Social Patterns
Government and Legal Matters

Project Action list (as a result of SWOT Analysis)

Action Item	Notes
[e.g. item 1]	[e.g. ..]