SWOT Analysis
SWOT Analysis
The SWOT analysis is derived from the internal and external assessments. It makes use of a matrix to plot the organization’s strengths (S), weaknesses (W) as well as the opportunities (O) and threats (T) in the external environment:
Strengths/Weakness: Internal to the organization
Distinctive competence
Performance vis-à-vis mandate
Skills level/experience of members
Effectiveness and clarity of present strategies
Management systems, processes and procedures to carry out the mandate
Adequacy of financial resources
Fit among goals, strategies, organizational structure, systems, procedures and skills/experience of people in the organization
Existing network and linkages that help organization carry out the mandate
Opportunities/Threats: External to the Organization
Presence of “competitors” or allies (other groups that deliver the same product/service; interest groups that may oppose the mission/goals)
Government policies
Demographic/climatic changes
Public image of the organization and its programs Values, perceptions and practices of beneficiaries and program partners
Applying SWOT
The objective of SWOT is to not to simply list down strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but to zero in on those that directly relate to strategic choices that the organization will have to make. Applying SWOT
How do we choose S, W, O & T factors?
Critical factors may be singled out according to the following criteria:
• relevance – how the factor relates to the organization’s reason for being
• magnitude – quantitative degree of influence it has over a given situation
• importance – qualitative degree of influence it has over a given organizational situation
• urgency – need for prompt response to ward off dire consequences for the organization
Applying SWOT
Once the SWOT analysis has been completed, the organization should determine which of the following scenarios closely describes its situation.
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The SWOT analysis is derived from the internal and external assessments. It makes use of a matrix to plot the organization’s strengths (S), weaknesses (W) as well as the opportunities (O) and threats (T) in the external environment:
Strengths/Weakness: Internal to the organization
Distinctive competence
Performance vis-à-vis mandate
Skills level/experience of members
Effectiveness and clarity of present strategies
Management systems, processes and procedures to carry out the mandate
Adequacy of financial resources
Fit among goals, strategies, organizational structure, systems, procedures and skills/experience of people in the organization
Existing network and linkages that help organization carry out the mandate
Opportunities/Threats: External to the Organization
Presence of “competitors” or allies (other groups that deliver the same product/service; interest groups that may oppose the mission/goals)
Government policies
Demographic/climatic changes
Public image of the organization and its programs Values, perceptions and practices of beneficiaries and program partners
Applying SWOT
The objective of SWOT is to not to simply list down strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but to zero in on those that directly relate to strategic choices that the organization will have to make. Applying SWOT
How do we choose S, W, O & T factors?
Critical factors may be singled out according to the following criteria:
• relevance – how the factor relates to the organization’s reason for being
• magnitude – quantitative degree of influence it has over a given situation
• importance – qualitative degree of influence it has over a given organizational situation
• urgency – need for prompt response to ward off dire consequences for the organization
Applying SWOT
Once the SWOT analysis has been completed, the organization should determine which of the following scenarios closely describes its situation.
•