Sample Lists of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Written by Max | Edited by Rory Hart

Last updated on Sep 04, 2023

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
Related Library Topics

Learn More in the Library’s Blogs Related to Strategic Planning

Library’s Business
Planning Blog
Library’s Leadership Blog
Library’s Project
Management Blog
Library’s Strategic
Planning Blog

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?

For the Category of Strategic Planning:

To round out your knowledge of this Library topic, you may
want to review some related topics, available from the link below.
Each of the related topics includes free, online resources.

Also, scan the Recommended Books listed below. They have been
selected for their relevance and highly practical nature.

Max

Recommended for you

The Gig Economy: Key Opportunities & Major Challenges

The gig economy encompasses short-term, flexible work arrangements, including freelance, contract, and project-based jobs. Enabled by digital platforms, it has proliferated, offering workers opportunities to take on flexible roles outside traditional employment. This shift has been fueled by technological advancements and changing preferences for work-life balance and autonomy. This guide will explore the opportunities and …

The Importance of Soft Skills in Career Advancement & Success

Soft skills are interpersonal, emotional, and communication-based abilities that complement hard skills, the technical or job-specific abilities required for a role. While hard skills focus on specific tasks, such as coding, designing, or analyzing data, soft skills enable individuals to navigate workplace dynamics, lead teams, and communicate effectively. In an increasingly complex and collaborative work …

Developing Emotional Intelligence for Career Success

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use emotions in oneself and others. The core components of EI include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, each contributing to how individuals interact and respond to emotional situations. High EI enhances decision-making, promotes teamwork, and strengthens leadership, all of which are …

The Role of Diversity & Inclusion in Career Growth

Diversity represents the variety of identities within a workplace, including race, gender, age, and cultural background, while inclusion refers to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Today, D&I is critical in fostering innovation, collaboration, and engagement, making them essential for organizational and individual success. This guide explores how D&I initiatives can …

Continuing Education: Is It Worth the Investment

Continuing education encompasses learning beyond traditional schooling, allowing professionals to enhance skills, gain new knowledge, and stay current. In today’s competitive job market, upskilling has become essential for career advancement and adaptability as industries evolve rapidly with technological and market shifts. Many professionals consider degrees, certifications, or skill-based courses to remain valuable in their roles. …

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome to Thrive in Your Career

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds. The term was first coined in the 1970s and commonly affects high-achieving individuals. Symptoms include persistent self-doubt, attributing success to luck rather than skill, and feeling unworthy of praise or accomplishments. Unchecked, imposter syndrome can hinder career …

Remote Work: Pros, Cons, & Best Practices for Success in 2024

Remote work, also known as telecommuting or working from home, refers to a working arrangement where employees perform their job responsibilities outside of a traditional office environment. While remote work has existed in various forms for decades, it has gained significant momentum in recent years due to technological advancements, such as high-speed internet, video conferencing, …

Understanding Company Culture & Its Impact on Workplace

Company culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, and practices within an organization that shape the work environment and influence employee experiences. It reflects how people interact, collaborate, and approach their work, impacting everything from job satisfaction to productivity and retention. This guide explores the elements of company culture and its role in organizational success. By …

Balancing Work & Life: Practical Tips for a Happier You

Work-life balance refers to the ability to prioritize personal and professional responsibilities without allowing one to overwhelm the other. Maintaining a healthy balance is essential for personal well-being, mental health, and productivity at work. As modern work demands increase, particularly with the rise of remote work, the gig economy, and the pressure of being constantly …

Mastering Public Speaking for Career Advancement

Public speaking skills are essential for building confidence, enhancing communication, and developing leadership qualities. Effective speakers can clearly articulate ideas, influence their colleagues, and establish credibility within their organization. Proficiency in public speaking also boosts professional visibility, allowing employees to showcase expertise, inspire others, and increase their chances of career advancement. This guide provides practical …

Building Resilience in Your Professional Life: Key Strategies

Resilience in the workplace is the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive amidst challenges and pressures. In professional settings, resilience is essential for handling stress, embracing change, and overcoming setbacks. It helps individuals maintain focus and motivation, even in high-pressure situations, which can be crucial for long-term career growth. Developing resilience improves stress management, allowing …

Best Industries for Career Growth & Development in 2025

Choosing the right industry is one of the most critical decisions in shaping your career trajectory. The industry in which you work influences your immediate job opportunities and determines your potential for long-term growth, innovation, and advancement. As industries evolve, some sectors experience rapid growth due to economic shifts, technological advancements, and global trends, offering …

Mastering Effective Communication in the Workplace

Effective communication fosters collaboration, productivity, and a positive workplace culture. Clear communication helps teams work together efficiently, enhances understanding, and directly impacts employee satisfaction and motivation. When communication flows smoothly, team dynamics improve, misunderstandings decrease, and overall job satisfaction rises. This guide offers strategies and tools for improving workplace communication, emphasizing the benefits of clear, …

Creating a Five-Year Career Plan to Achieve Your Goals

Creating a career plan is essential for guiding your professional growth and staying focused on long-term goals. A five-year plan serves as a roadmap, helping you define your goals and the steps needed to achieve them. By setting a structured plan, you gain clarity on your career direction, prioritize skill development, and increase your chances …

Ethical Decision-Making in the Workplace: Best Practices

Ethical decision-making is evaluating choices based on moral principles, values, and established standards of conduct. In the workplace, it involves choosing actions that uphold integrity, fairness, and accountability, promoting trust among colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Ethical decisions form the backbone of positive workplace relationships, encouraging respect and transparency. Ethics play a central role in creating …

Get the latest Business News

Sample Lists of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Learn More in the Library’s Blogs Related to Strategic Planning

For the Category of Strategic Planning: