Tool: 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
|
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
|
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 funder changing? Have changes in policies made something more difficult? Is changing technology threatening your effectiveness? |
Download a Microsoft Word version of this table here.
Contributor
Val Renault