SWOT Analysis

by noteswa

SWOT

A SWOT matrix is is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
It is a framework for analyzing your strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats that you face.
This helps you focus on your strengths, minimize your weaknesses, and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available to you.
A SWOT analysis can be carried out for a company, product, place, industry, or person.
IT is a structured planning method that evaluates those four elements of a person, an organization, and project or business venture.

Strengths

characteristics of person or the business or project that give it an advantage over others
What advantages do you have that others don’t have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)?
What do you do better than anyone else?
What personal resources can you access?
What do other people (and your boss, in particular) see as your strengths?
Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
What values do you believe in that others fail to exhibit?
Are you part of a network that no one else is involved in? If so, what connections do you have with influential people?

Weaknesses

characteristics of the business that place the business or project at a disadvantage relative to others
What tasks do you usually avoid because you don’t feel confident doing them?
What will the people around you see as your weaknesses?
Are you completely confident in your education and skills training? If not, where are you weakest?
What are your negative work habits (for example, are you often late, are you disorganized, do you have a short temper, or are you poor at handling stress)?
Do you have personality traits that hold you back in your field? For instance, if you have to conduct meetings on a regular basis, a fear of public speaking would be a major weakness.

Opportunities

Elements in the environment that the business or project could exploit to its advantage
What new technology can help you? Or can you get help from others or from people via the various media?
Is your industry growing? If so, how can you take advantage of the current market?
Do you have a network of strategic contacts to help you, or offer good advice?
What trends (management or otherwise) do you see in your company, and how can you take advantage of them?
Are any of your competitors failing to do something important? If so, can you take advantage of their mistakes?
Is there a need in your company or industry that no one is filling?
Do your customers or vendors complain about something in your company? If so, could you create an opportunity by offering a solution?

Threats

Elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the person or the business or project
What obstacles do you currently face at work?
Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles?
Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing?
Does changing technology threaten your position?
Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?