SWOT

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Definition

SWOT Analysis, is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project.

SWOT involves:

1. Specifying the objective of the project
2. Identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective.

Once an objective has been identified, one can analyze the four SWOT factors:

Internal factors

• Strengths: attributes of the organization that are helpful to achieving the objective.
• Weaknesses: attributes of the organization that are harmful to achieving the objective.

External factors

• Opportunities: external conditions that are helpful to achieving the objective.
• Threats: external conditions that are harmful to achieving the objective.

Furthermore, a SWOT Matrix (also called TOWS) can then identify strategies:

	Strengths	Weaknesses
Opportunities	S-O strategies: pursue opportunities that fit your strenght	W-O strategies: overcome weaknesses to pursue opportunities
Threats	S-T strategies: use strength to reduce weaknesses	W-T strategies: come up with a plan to defend against threats exploiting weaknesses

In education

(needs to be written ...)

• To analyse large projects (e.g. technology or e-learning projects)
• To (self-) analyse person's potential

Links

General Introductions (business oriented)

• SWOT analysis (Wikipedia)
• SWOT Analysis Discover new opportunities. Manage and eliminate threat.
• SWOT Analysis, QuickMBA.
• swot analysis
• What is SWOT Analysis

SWOT for personal concerns

• Using a SWOT Analysis in Your Career Planning, by R. and K. Hansen.

Related to education

• Lessons on E-Learning Strategy Development from the Cheshire Cat, by Lance Dublin (just mentionnes SWOT brievly).

• Strengths and weaknesses of e-learning history. A nice SWOT analysis of e-learning potential looking at its history.

• SWOT Analysis of Current ITS Academic Related Services, an example matrix of Ohio Technical Colledge.

References

• Bradford, Robert W., Duncan, Peter J., Tarcy, Brian, Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for Busy People Who Want Results Fast!