SWOT Analysis

This SWOT matrix diagram example was created on the base of article "An Easy Way To Jumpstart Your Strategic Plan: SWOT" by Leslie Wolf from the website of the California Digital Library, the University of California. "Strategic planning doesn’t have to be a daunting and lengthy process. The goal is really a simple one: to help you understand your world and build a road map to guide your efforts. ...
This analysis tool can help you focus your attention on the specific success factors that are right for your team.
The tool is called a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Here’s what it means:
(1) Strengths are those positive internal attributes that strengthen your business or team. You can develop plans to capitalize on those strengths.
(2) Weaknesses are those negative internal attributes that are working against your success. You can shore up those weaknesses so they don’t stop your success.
(3) Opportunities are those external conditions that can have a positive effect on your goals. These opportunities can point you in the right direction.
(4) Threats are those external conditions that can have a negative effect on your goals. These threats will affect you less if you can identify and minimize them. ...
We thought it would be helpful to show you a sample SWOT analysis for a business you can easily visualize: a small independent bookstore in a university town. The store owner brought the team together to think about how the bookstore could survive during the continuing financial downturn. After an hour of brainstorming, this is the SWOT analysis they developed." [cdlib.org/ cdlinfo/ 2010/ 09/ 29/ an-easy-way-to-jumpstart-your-strategic-plan-swot/ ]
The matrix diagram example "SWOT analysis for a small independent bookstore" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the SWOT Analysis solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

"SWOT analysis is a classic strategic planning tool. Using a framework of internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats, it provides a simple way to assess how a strategy can best be implemented. The tool helps planners be realistic about what they can achieve, and where they should focus. ...
The SWOT framework - a two-by-two matrix - is best completed in a group with key members of the team or organisation present. First it is important to be clear what the policy change objective is, and what team or organisation the analysis is being carried out on. Once these are clarified and agreed, begin with a brainstorm of ideas, and then hone them down and clarify them afterwards in discussion.
An assessment of internal capacity helps identify where the project or organisation is now: the existing resources that can be used immediately and current problems that won't go away. It can help identify where new resources, skills or allies will be needed. When thinking of strengths it is useful to think of real examples of success to ground and clarify the conversation. ...
An assessment of the external environment tends to focus on what is going on outside the organisation, or areas which are not yet affecting the strategy but could do - either positively or negatively." [odi.org.uk/ publications/ 5876-swot-analysis-context-mapping]
The vector stencils library "SWOT" contains 16 SWOT and TOWS matrix diagram templates for the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The example "Design elements - SWOT and TOWS analysis matrices" is included in the SWOT Analysis solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.