Every goal or objective needs a solid foundation(plan).

Trying to make your work right?

How do we develop a workable strategy?

How do we make all the pieces fit?

SWOT Analysis

Introduction• SWOT Analysis is a

strategic planning tool used to evaluate the:– Strengths, –Weaknesses, –Opportunities, –Threats

History of SWOT Analysis

• Developed at Stanford• Funded by Fortune 500

companies• Took 9 years to develop• Involved 5000

interviews

Internals

Externals

Strengths

What you do very well – maybe better than anyone else

WeaknessesWhat you lack in or what you don’t do very well

OpportunitiesWhat is it that you could do – but aren’t?

ThreatsElements in the environment that could cause trouble for the you to achieve objective or goal.

Creative Use of SWOTs

• How can we Use each Strength? • How can we Stop each Weakness? • How can we use each Opportunity? • How can we Defend against each Threat?

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities S-O Strategies W-O Strategies

Threats S-T Strategies W-T Strategies

SWOT MatrixAlso known as TOWS Matrix

Current conditions

The Plan for the future

Matching strengths to opportunities

Otherwise known as:S-O or Maxi-Maxi strategy

Using a strength to maximise an opportunity

Matching weaknesses to opportunities

Otherwise known as:W-O or Mini-Maxi strategy

Improving capability to maximise an opportunity

Matching strengths to threats

Otherwise known as:S-T or Maxi-Mini strategy

Minimising a threat with a strength

Matching weaknesses to threats

Otherwise known as:W-T or Mini-Mini strategy

Minimising weaknesses and threats at same time

(often last choice)

Strategic Model

Mission

Values

Vision

Strategy

Everything Balanced

Strategic Initiatives

Personal Objectives

Strategic Outcomes

Structural

Engineer

Contractor ---------- -----------

Why we exist

What we believe in

What we want to be

our game plan

Implementation & Focus

What we need to do

What I need to do

How do we develop our Strategy!

A strength can be a competitive advantage like…- Believe in yourself - Positive Attitude- Focus - Intelligence- Ability to learn- Time Management- Sense of Responsibility- Specific Goals- Passion & Determination- Critical Thinking Ability- Supporting Environment- etc

You have to believe in yourself, otherwise you can't do it. If you don't believe in yourself, how do expect anyone else to? Because ultimately, you're the one who has to do it.Donny Osmond

Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place. Have faith in your own abilities, work hard, and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.Brad Henry 

A weakness can be a disadvantage such as…- Procrastination- Poor Time Management- Non-supportive Environment- Irresponsible- Unrecognized Institution- Complex Goals - etc

An opportunity can be…

- Good Institution- Scholarships- Good Mentor- Internships- Jobs - Backups- etc

A threat can be…

- Hurdles- Health Problems- No Jobs- Discouragement- Bad Environment- May be friends- etc

Strategies that can come from SWOT Analysis…

S-O W-OS-T W-T