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Table of Contents >
   Part B. Community Assessment, Agenda Setting, and Choice ... >
      Chapter 3. Assessing Community Needs and Resources >
         Section 14. SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportuniti... >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Val Renault Edited by Jerry Schultz

Tools
Checklists

Checklist #1: Checklist for Developing and Using a SWOT Analysis
Checklist #2: Checklist for Conducting a SWOT Analysis

Tools

Tool 1: Tool for performing a SWOT analysis.


Here are some general questions in each SWOT category to prompt analysis of your organization, community, or effort.

POSITIVES

NEGATIVES

INTERNAL

Human resources
Physical resources
Financial resources
Activities and processes
Past experiences

Strengths

What are your own advantages, in terms of people, physical resources, finances?

What do you do well? What activities or processes have met with success?

Weaknesses

What could be improved in your organization in terms of staffing, physical resources, funding?

What activities and processes lack effectiveness or are poorly done?

EXTERNAL

Future trends - in your field or the culture
The economy
Funding sources (foundations, donors, legislatures)
Demographics
The physical environment
Legislation
Local, national or international events

Opportunities

What possibilities exist to support or help your effort-- in the environment, the people you serve, or the people who conduct your work?

What local, national or international trends draw interest to your program?

Is a social change or demographic pattern favorable to your goal?

Is a new funding source available?

Have changes in policies made something easier?

Do changes in technology hold new promise?

Threats

What obstacles do you face that hinder the effort-in the environment, the people you serve, or the people who conduct your work?

What local, national or international trends favor interest in other or competing programs?

Is a social change or demographic pattern harmful to your goal?

Is the financial situation of a major funder changing?

Have changes in policies made something more difficult?

Is changing technology threatening your effectiveness?

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Checklists

Two checklists are included here. Checklist 1 summarizes the major points contained in the text; the second guides you through a SWOT session. The tool provides prompts for a SWOT self-assessment.


Checklist 1. Checklist for Developing and Using a SWOT Analysis

This checklist for developing and using a SWOT analysis summarizes the major points contained in the text.

____ Your group or organization has determined, based on its strengths and characteristics , to use a SWOT analysis to help develop strategies for change.

____ You have designed your retreat or meeting as well as the form of the SWOT analysis you will conduct.

____ You have involved a diverse group of stakeholders in creating the SWOT assessment.

____ You conducted the SWOT analysis meeting and generated a list of internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats.

____ You considered the SWOT factors from others' points of views as well as your own.

____ You have used your SWOT analysis as a tool to discover or confirm areas for action and improvement.

____ You have used your SWOT analysis to develop strategies for change.

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Checklist 2. Checklist for Conducting a SWOT Analysis

___ At your meeting or retreat, designate a leader or group facilitator.

___ Designate a recorder if your group is large. Use newsprint on a flip chart or a large board to record the analysis and discussion points.

___ Introduce the SWOT method and its purpose in your organization.

___ Divide your stakeholders into smaller groups (of three to 10, depending on your size). Mix the small groups to get a range of perspectives, and give people a chance to introduce themselves.

___ Direct each group to designate a recorder, and provide each with newsprint or dry-erase board. Instruct them to create a SWOT analysis in the format you choose -a chart, columns, a matrix, or even a page for each quality.

___ Give the groups 20-30 minutes to brainstorm and fill out their own strengths , weakness, opportunities and threats chart for your program, initiative or effort.

___ Reconvene the group to share results, recording on the flip-chart or board. Collect and organize the differing groups' ideas and perceptions by asking for results from one group at a time or by opening the floor to all groups. Use one of the following orders to record results:

  • S-W-O-T order, recording strengths first, weaknesses second, etc.
  • Top priority order for each category -the strongest strength, most dangerous weakness, biggest opportunity, worst threat.

___ Discuss insights, repeated items, and cross connections between categories -"This strength plays into that opportunity

___ Use the results to support your purpose for the meeting:

  • Come to some consensus about most important items in each category.
  • Relate the analysis to your vision, mission, and goals.
  • Translate the analysis to action plans and strategies.

___ If appropriate, prepare a written summary of the SWOT analysis for participants to use in planning and implementing your effort.

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