1.09 - SWOT analysis

Download the full module

A SWOT analysis is a simple framework into which an individual or a group can organise some thoughts. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and will help you clarify these issues and gain a more strategic understanding of your current situation. A SWOT does not lead directly to new goals or objectives.

SWOT analysis template

Strengths

Weaknesses
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Opportunities

Threats
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Critical Success Factors

Review the items you have listed in your SWOT and consider what needs to happen in each to:

  • build on your strengths
  • eliminate or minimise your weaknesses
  • exploit opportunities (usually using your strengths)
  • develop strategies to deal with threats.

These critical success factors (CSFs) become a key component in formulating your business plan. 

The structure below can be used with writing critical sucess factors:

  • To build on {insert strength} I/we have to {insert action}.
  • To eliminate {insert weakness} I/we have to {insert action}.
  • To exploit {insert opportunity} I/we have to {insert action}.
  • To deal with {insert threat} I/we have to {insert action}.