Sample Lists of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Sections of this topic

    © Copyright Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting,
    LLC
    .
    Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and
    Facilitation
    .

    The SWOT
    analysis
    is often used to analyze the results of trends inside and outside
    the organization, in order to generate relevant strategic goals to include in
    the Strategic Plan document. SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats regarding the organization. The model analyzes a list of each of
    the four different types of considerations. Here is a sample of each of those
    four types of lists.

    Also, consider
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    Sample List of Strengths

    Sample List of Weaknesses

    1. Very effective methods to deliver services
    2. Good relations with customers
    3. Increasing innovation
    4. Strong expertise among employees
    5. Strong public image
    6. Great relationships with stakeholders
    7. Good governance in our Board of Directors
    8. Strong marketing and promotions
    9. Excellent information technology systems
    10. Strong financial resources and management
    1. Poor service to customers
    2. Poor relationships with customers
    3. Low morale and motivation
    4. Poor leadership and management
    5. Poor public image
    6. Poor relationships with stakeholders
    7. Supplier(s) might go out of business
    8. Board attendance and participation is poor
    9. Weak marketing and promotions
    10. Continued cash shortfalls

    Sample List of Opportunities

    Sample List of Threats

    1. Increasing needs among current customers
    2. More access to current customers
    3. New markets to serve
    4. New product ideas
    5. Competitors leaving the market
    6. Useful innovations or technologies to use
    7. Strong relationships with stakeholders
    8. New relationships to build on
    9. Beneficial changes in laws
    10. Other(s) opportunities?
    1. Decreasing the number of customers
    2. Less access to customers
    3. More competition
    4. Decreasing range of investors and funders
    5. Poor relationships with stakeholders
    6. Increasing risk of lawsuits
    7. Suppliers or collaborators shutting down
    8. Increasing risk to information technology
    9. Adverse changes in laws
    10. Other(s) threats?

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