Analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
Use this editable template to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of an organization, a specific product, service, project, or policy. Dividing your analysis into these four quadrants helps clarify the existing forces that will affect your organization’s future.
A SWOT analysis helps with strategic planning by providing valuable insights into the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats. It helps teams make informed decisions, set realistic goals, and create effective strategies to achieve success.
The SWOT analysis template helps you:
- Gain valuable insights into internal and external factors
- Build a shared understanding of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
- Set clear and actionable objectives that align with a broader business strategy
- Identify potential threats and risks in the market
How to use the SWOT analysis template
As a starting point, set the purpose of the SWOT analysis. Identify a specific company/startup, new product line, marketing strategy, or action plan to evaluate with the matrix. Next, brainstorm ideas for each of the following quadrants with your team members.
1. List out strengths
What do we do well? What separates us from competitors? What unique resources do we have? Evaluate the internal factors and focus on leveraging those advantages to achieve goals and stay ahead of the competition.
Examples of a company’s strengths might include a strong brand reputation, proprietary data or methods, efficient supply chain management, or advanced technology infrastructure.
2. Identify any weaknesses
What do we lack? What do competitors do better than us? Where are our resources limited? By identifying and working on weaknesses, you can reduce the risk of a business or project from outside competition.
Possible weaknesses may include limited financial resources or funding, outdated systems, low brand recognition, or inconsistent product quality.
3. Make note of opportunities
Where do we see ways to meet people’s real-world needs? Where are people under-served by existing offering? Catalog the opportunities that your team can turn into strengths or even competitive advantages.
Potential opportunities may include emerging market trends disrupting an industry, strategic partnerships with complementary businesses, growing demand for new product categories, new marketing channels like social media or text messaging, and new geographic markets.
4. Identify possible threats
What competitors are emerging? Are there any external factors that might get in the way of our success? Take the time to develop strategies that minimize risks and protect the business or project from negative impacts. This helps ensure long-term sustainability.
Example threats may include competitors gaining market share, changing government regulations, economic downturns, or negative public perceptions due to industry controversies.
5. Evaluate and develop a plan of action
Based on the insights gained from the SWOT Analysis, brainstorm and prioritize strategies and action plans. Leverage strengths to capitalize on opportunities, address weaknesses to mitigate threats, and develop innovative approaches to achieve objectives.
Tips for creating a SWOT diagram
- Involve stakeholders and subject matter experts: Engage key stakeholders and subject matter experts throughout the SWOT analysis process. Their insights and expertise can provide valuable context and help validate the accuracy and relevance of the identified factors.
- Focus on actionability: Ensure that the factors identified in the SWOT matrix are actionable. Instead of merely stating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, strive to translate them into specific strategies, initiatives, tactics, and measurable objectives tied to metrics.
- Continuously monitor and update: SWOT analyses are not one-time events, but an ongoing process. Regularly monitor the progress of the implemented strategies and reassess the SWOT factors in light of changing circumstances. Remain agile and adapt your approach as needed to ensure your analysis remains relevant and effective.
Get started with this template right now.
Use this editable template to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of an organization, a specific product, service, project, or policy. Dividing your analysis into these four quadrants helps clarify the existing forces that will affect your organization’s future.
A SWOT analysis helps with strategic planning by providing valuable insights into the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats. It helps teams make informed decisions, set realistic goals, and create effective strategies to achieve success.
The SWOT analysis template helps you:
- Gain valuable insights into internal and external factors
- Build a shared understanding of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
- Set clear and actionable objectives that align with a broader business strategy
- Identify potential threats and risks in the market
How to use the SWOT analysis template
As a starting point, set the purpose of the SWOT analysis. Identify a specific company/startup, new product line, marketing strategy, or action plan to evaluate with the matrix. Next, brainstorm ideas for each of the following quadrants with your team members.
1. List out strengths
What do we do well? What separates us from competitors? What unique resources do we have? Evaluate the internal factors and focus on leveraging those advantages to achieve goals and stay ahead of the competition.
Examples of a company’s strengths might include a strong brand reputation, proprietary data or methods, efficient supply chain management, or advanced technology infrastructure.
2. Identify any weaknesses
What do we lack? What do competitors do better than us? Where are our resources limited? By identifying and working on weaknesses, you can reduce the risk of a business or project from outside competition.
Possible weaknesses may include limited financial resources or funding, outdated systems, low brand recognition, or inconsistent product quality.
3. Make note of opportunities
Where do we see ways to meet people’s real-world needs? Where are people under-served by existing offering? Catalog the opportunities that your team can turn into strengths or even competitive advantages.
Potential opportunities may include emerging market trends disrupting an industry, strategic partnerships with complementary businesses, growing demand for new product categories, new marketing channels like social media or text messaging, and new geographic markets.
4. Identify possible threats
What competitors are emerging? Are there any external factors that might get in the way of our success? Take the time to develop strategies that minimize risks and protect the business or project from negative impacts. This helps ensure long-term sustainability.
Example threats may include competitors gaining market share, changing government regulations, economic downturns, or negative public perceptions due to industry controversies.
5. Evaluate and develop a plan of action
Based on the insights gained from the SWOT Analysis, brainstorm and prioritize strategies and action plans. Leverage strengths to capitalize on opportunities, address weaknesses to mitigate threats, and develop innovative approaches to achieve objectives.
Tips for creating a SWOT diagram
- Involve stakeholders and subject matter experts: Engage key stakeholders and subject matter experts throughout the SWOT analysis process. Their insights and expertise can provide valuable context and help validate the accuracy and relevance of the identified factors.
- Focus on actionability: Ensure that the factors identified in the SWOT matrix are actionable. Instead of merely stating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, strive to translate them into specific strategies, initiatives, tactics, and measurable objectives tied to metrics.
- Continuously monitor and update: SWOT analyses are not one-time events, but an ongoing process. Regularly monitor the progress of the implemented strategies and reassess the SWOT factors in light of changing circumstances. Remain agile and adapt your approach as needed to ensure your analysis remains relevant and effective.
Collaboration features to get the most out of your swot analysis and level-up teamwork
Sticky notes & text
Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.
Tags on sticky notes
Customizable labels make it easy to find, organize, and categorize your work in a mural.
Infinite & resizable canvas options
Choose the right canvas for your collaboration goals — flexibility without limits.
Presentation mode
Build presentations collaboratively, then deliver engaging sessions that go beyond one-way talk tracks.
Video meeting integrations
Seamlessly add visual collaboration to meetings with Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom integrations.
Summon collaborators
Easily direct everyone’s attention to a specific part of the mural — no screen sharing required.
What is a SWOT analysis?
Can I use the SWOT analysis template for personal analysis?
How many collaborators should be involved when creating a SWOT analysis?
Does the SWOT analysis apply to both internal and external evaluations?
Mural is the only platform that offers both a shared workspace and training on the LUMA System™, a practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply.
