Adopted model · author unknown
SWOT
As a thinking method, SWOT approaches information from two directions: it either provides a logical structure for organising existing information or supports the structured gathering of information.
The concept in brief
The method helps with planning and analysis, and can also be used successfully in decision-making.
In the basic SWOT, two criteria (positive–negative, internal–external) determine the four categories: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats.
When filling it in, it may not be clear whether a given piece of information or fact is a strength or a weakness, an opportunity or a threat. In that case it is worth placing it in both and adding the appropriate notes.
The method is truly effective if we do not stop at gathering or organising information but turn the analysis into action; the 8-window SWOT therefore has the following four additional categories:
- actions arising from reading strengths and opportunities together;
- actions arising from reading weaknesses and opportunities together;
- actions arising from reading strengths and threats together;
- actions arising from reading weaknesses and threats together.
In the 8+1-field SWOT, the +1 element is working out the communication for the 8 fields.