Sample SWOT Analysis
A sample SWOT analysis is nothing more than an examination – typically made at the strategic/organizational level, or at the individual level – following the meaning of each of the SWOT words, which stand for:
S = Strengths
W = Weaknesses
O = Opportunities
T = Threats
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If done at the strategic/organizational level, you simply ask:
What are the strengths of our organization? Usually internal factors.What are the weaknesses of our organization? Usually internal factors.What are the opportunities that our organization presently has/will have? Usually external factors.What are the threats that our organization is/will be facing? Usually external factors.These questions may be compartmentalized according to specific industries, markets, situations, etc.
The accuracy of your organizational answers to these questions will validate the strength of your SWOT analysis.
If your answers are superficial, careless, or partial, your SWOT analysis will be useless. But if they are not, your SWOT analysis may prove to be extremely useful.
Hence, in a strategic/organizational SWOT analysis, you might want to involve the right people in answering these four questions.
Keep in mind that a SWOT analysis is not a hard science, it can be very subjective, but its simplicity and intuitiveness make it very attractive to use in strategic planning.
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A sample SWOT analysis done at the individual level, you may ask:
What are my strengths? Usually internal factors.What are my weaknesses? Usually internal factors.What are the opportunities that I have/will have? Usually external factors.What are the threats that I am/will be facing? Usually external factors. Here again, the accuracy, soundness, and depth of your answers will make or break the usefulness of your sample SWOT analysis.
You might want to ask people that know you well and that you trust, in order to help you keep objectivity.
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To keep on learning about other useful skills, go back to the previous page, or click here.
To learn more about the skills you need to manage the performance of your direct reports, go to my Management Skills page.
To learn more about the skills you need to lead the performance of your entire organization, go to my Leadership Skills page.
If you would like your organization to go through a sample SWOT analysis exercise through my speaking or consulting services, please, click on this link.