SWOT Diagram

The SWOT Analysis Daigram is an extremely useful tool for understanding and decision-making for all sorts of situations in business and organizations. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.

SWOT analysis template

The SWOT analysis template is normally presented as a grid, comprising four sections, one for each of the SWOT headings: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The free SWOT template below includes sample questions, whose answers are inserted into the relevant section of the SWOT grid. The questions are examples, or discussion points, and obviously can be altered depending on the subject of the SWOT analysis. Note that many of the SWOT questions are also talking points for other headings - use them as you find most helpful, and make up your own to suit the issue being analyzed. It is important to clearly identify the subject of a SWOT analysis, because a SWOT analysis is a perspective of one thing, be it a company, a product, a proposition, and idea, a method, or option, etc.

SWOT diagram software - draw SWOT diagram easily

The follow diagram is a pre-defined symbols in the Charts and Graphic library.

SWOT Analysis Example

A start-up small consultancy business might draw up the following SWOT matrix:

strengths

• Advantages of proposition?
• Capabilities?
• Competitive advantages?
• Marketing - reach, distribution, awareness?
• Innovative aspects?
• Location and geographical?
• Price, value, quality?
• Accreditations, qualifications, certifications?
• USP's (unique selling points)?
• Resources, Assets, People?
• Experience, knowledge, data?
• Financial reserves, likely returns?
• Processes, systems, IT, communications?
• Cultural, attitudinal, behavioural?
• Management cover, succession?

weaknesses

• Disadvantages of proposition?
• Gaps in capabilities?
• Lack of competitive strength?
• Reputation, presence and reach?
• Financials?
• Own known vulnerabilities?
• Timescales, deadlines and pressures?
• Reliability of data, plan predictability?
• Morale, commitment, leadership?
• Accreditations, etc?
• Cashflow, start-up cash-drain?
• Continuity, supply chain robustness?
• Effects on core activities, distraction?
• Processes and systems, etc?
• Management cover, succession?

opportunities

• Market developments?
• Competitors' vulnerabilities?
• New USP's?
• Tactics - surprise, major contracts, etc?
• Business and product development?
• Information and research?
• Partnerships, agencies, distribution?
• Industry or lifestyle trends?
• Technology development and innovation?
• Global influences?
• New markets, vertical, horizontal?
• Niche target markets?
• Geographical, export, import?
• Volumes, production, economies?
• Seasonal, weather, fashion influences?

threats

• Political effects?
• Legislative effects?
• Obstacles faced?
• Insurmountable weaknesses?
• Environmental effects?
• IT developments?
• Competitor intentions - various? 
• Loss of key staff?
• Sustainable financial backing?
• Market demand?
• New technologies, services, ideas?
• Vital contracts and partners?
• Sustaining internal capabilities?
• Economy - home, abroad?
• Seasonality, weather effects?

In conclusion

SWOT Analysis is a simple but powerful framework for analyzing your company's Strengths and Weaknesses, and the Opportunities and Threats you face. This helps you to focus on your strengths, minimize threats, and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available to you.