(Notes to accompany templates)
The SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool for understanding and reviewing the company’s position prior to making decisions about future company direction or the implementation of a new business idea. A SWOT analysis can be completed by an individual within the organization (provided they can take an overview of the current situation) but is often best completed in a team or group. The discussion itself is informative, and the quality of the output is better if perceptions are gathered from a number of people. The PEST analysis is a tool to evaluate external factors. It is often helpful to complete a PEST analysis prior to a SWOT analysis, although it may be more useful to complete a PEST analysis as part of, or after, a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis measures a business unit; a PEST analysis measures trends and changes in the market. A SWOT analysis is a subjective assessment of information about the business that is organized using the SWOT format into a logical order that helps understanding, presentation, discussion and decisionmaking. The four dimensions are a useful extension of a basic two heading list of pro's and con's. The SWOT analysis template is normally presented as a grid, comprising four sections, one for each of the SWOT headings: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The SWOT template below includes sample questions, whose answers are inserted into the relevant section of the SWOT grid. The questions are examples, or discussion points, and obviously can be altered depending on the subject of the SWOT analysis. Note that many of the SWOT questions are also talking points for other headings use them as you find most helpful, and make up your own to suit the issue being analyzed. A SWOT analysis can also be used to examine different aspects of the business, in our case examining the businesses solutions, customers, capabilities and organizational capabilities. Each