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How to Write a SWOT Analysis Paper

Successful businesses and people have been conducting SWOTs since at least the mid-twentieth century and have refined the process over time. The four categories you will explore in your SWOT analysis paper are Strengths (S), Weaknesses (W), Opportunities (O), and Threats (T). You can use SWOT analysis to help you assess your position in project planning, business development , finance, relationships, or for personal growth. Since SWOT analysis papers are usually assigned in business school or associated with business planning, we will focus on the steps for writing a SWOT analysis paper for business, but keep in mind that the process can be tailored to any situation—professional or personal.

If this process sounds laborious or daunting, do not fret: As with most things, conducting a SWOT analysis will get easier the more you do it, and eventually it might become an essential part of all of your decision-making processes. As you evaluate your business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, you will gain skills and insights that can help you evaluate yourself, your business, and various decisions you are facing.

Better than a pros and cons list

Perhaps you are thinking, This sounds just like a pros and cons list . A SWOT analysis provides more information than a simple pros and cons list, and it makes it easier to identify potential action items and areas for growth. SWOT analysis considers more than just the pros and cons of a situation: It helps you identify internal and external factors that contribute to or inhibit your success.

Strengths and Weaknesses are generally considered internal factors, so they are things that you or your company can control or can work to improve.

Opportunities and Threats are typically external factors that occur outside of your business (i.e., things that you cannot control), but they are things that could significantly affect you or your business.

Identify your objective/goal

To get the most benefit from your SWOT analysis, be as specific as possible with your objective . If you are analyzing a business, consider focusing on one particular aspect of the business.

The best way to formulate your paper is to use a SWOT analysis chart to organize your thoughts before you actually start writing.

Write down the initial strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, or threats that come to mind when you consider the objective. Use bullet points to separate items, be specific, and remember that you do not have to write in complete sentences on this chart. To be sure that you explore all applicable points, consider the following questions:

• What does the business do best?
• What do people like about it?
• What draws people to the business?
• What does the business offer that competitors can't or don't offer?
• What puts the business at a disadvantage?
• Consider employee feedback and customer reviews: Are there any items that multiple people have identified as issues?
• In what areas does the business have less resources than competitors?
• Why do potential clients choose a competitor over you?
• What areas would you like to improve?

Be honest as you assess the business's weaknesses. Consider what aspects put your business at a disadvantage or what factors limit your growth potential. If you shy away from identifying weaknesses in this step, your SWOT analysis will not be effective or beneficial. Although it can be painful to identify weaknesses that are currently holding you back from personal or business growth, identifying and exploring these areas will give you the opportunity to improve. If you are uncertain if an item should be classified as a Weakness or a Threat , remember that Weaknesses are internal (things within the business that you can work to change) and Threats are external (things you have little or no control over). Also, accurately identifying weaknesses might help you recognize potential opportunities and/or threats.

Opportunities

• Are there any potential market trends that suggest growth in your field in the coming year?
• Does the business have any possible partnerships or sponsorships on the horizon?
• Is the business considering expanding or developing new product lines or specialties?

In addition to any obvious opportunities, look at the strengths you've listed and see if there are any ways that you can turn strengths into opportunities.

• Is the business affected by government policy? If so, are there any potential policy changes in the future?
• What obstacles prevent you from doing more business or making more sales? Be specific and list them all.
• Do you have periods of unreliable cash flow that threaten the business?
• Does the weather or season affect the business?

Once you have listed all the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, prioritize the results in each category from most impactful to least. Prioritizing your results in each of the four categories will help you visualize each item's importance so you can see how it relates to the other areas.

Writing the SWOT analysis paper

Now that you have filled out the SWOT chart and prioritized your SWOT results, you have the basic information to begin drafting your SWOT analysis paper. As with any professional paper, start with a strong introduction and state your objection and the focus of your SWOT analysis. In the next four paragraphs, describe the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats that you prioritized on your SWOT analysis chart. If you have more items for each category than can comfortably fit in a paragraph, consider condensing your list. As you review the lists in each category, eliminate redundancies and consolidate similar items. If you still have too many items to fit in one paragraph after condensing, include one to three bullet points per paragraph, and try to keep the paragraphs balanced. For example, if you write three paragraphs for strengths, try to write three paragraphs for the other three categories as well.

Once you have identified and described your SWOTs, you can use your SWOT analysis chart to develop strategies and create a plan to achieve your business goals. The analysis is the most essential part of the SWOT analysis paper, because in this portion you will create action items and develop plans that can lead to future success. Assess each of the four areas (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and look for commonalities or links between the categories. Some things to consider during this step:

• Can you use one of your strengths to address a threat?
• Look for ways to use your strengths to minimize your weaknesses.
• How can you use your strengths to seize growth opportunities?
• Is there a way to use your strengths to overcome threats?
• Are there any weaknesses that you can address and eliminate?
• Can you balance out a weakness by pursuing one of your opportunities?
• Are your weaknesses preventing you from capitalizing on opportunities?
• Are your weaknesses enhancing the likelihood that the business will suffer from a threat? If so, look to your strengths and see if there is a way to draw from your strengths to reduce the potential impact of the threat.

As you find connections between the bullet points in the four quadrants of your chart, start writing to generate ideas that you can turn into action. You can come back to edit these sentences and perfect these ideas later, but go ahead and record the thoughts now so you do not miss any potential connections. As you identify how different bullet points relate to each other, prioritize items that will generate revenue or reduce expenditure. Now, assess the action items that you have identified and put them in the order that makes the most sense to you. You can arrange your action items in the order that you would like to address them, or you can arrange them in the order that would make the most financial impact on the business. Organize the paragraphs in this section of the paper in your preferred order.

Now that you have performed a comprehensive SWOT analysis and identified action items to enhance strengths and reduce weaknesses, write a strong conclusion paragraph summarizing the most important findings. Keep in mind the purpose of your SWOT analysis paper here: If you intend to share this information with potential investors, make sure that you present a clear vision for growth and that you are realistic about how you will address weaknesses and potential threats. The crucial last step for any paper is to proofread, edit, and revise as needed. Now that you have completed your SWOT analysis and identified action plans, consider if applying a SWOT analysis to another aspect of your business or area of your life. Make a note in your calendar and conduct another SWOT analysis on this issue in six to twelve months so you can measure progress towards your goals.

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How To Write an Essay About Swot Analysis

Understanding swot analysis.

Before writing an essay about SWOT analysis, it's crucial to understand what SWOT stands for and how it is used. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It's a framework that helps organizations or individuals to identify internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving their objectives. Start your essay by explaining each component of SWOT: Strengths (what an organization or individual does well), Weaknesses (areas that need improvement), Opportunities (external factors that can be exploited for benefit), and Threats (external factors that could cause trouble). It's important to understand that SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used in a variety of fields, from business management to personal development.

Developing a Thesis Statement

Your essay should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about SWOT analysis. For instance, you might discuss the importance of SWOT analysis in strategic planning, analyze its effectiveness in a particular case study, or argue for modifications to the traditional SWOT analysis model to better suit modern business environments. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay, providing a structured and focused analysis.

Gathering and Presenting Examples

To support your thesis, it's effective to gather and present examples of SWOT analysis. You might choose a specific company, industry, or even a personal scenario where SWOT analysis has been applied. Discuss how the four elements of SWOT were identified and used in decision-making processes. Providing real-life examples will make your essay more tangible and relatable, allowing readers to see the practical application of the theory.

Analyzing the Effectiveness of SWOT Analysis

Dedicate a section of your essay to critically analyzing the effectiveness of SWOT analysis. Discuss its advantages, such as its simplicity and comprehensiveness, as well as its limitations, which might include its subjective nature or lack of prioritization. You can also explore how SWOT analysis can be complemented with other strategic planning tools for more robust results.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Your conclusion should tie together the analysis and emphasize the overall significance of SWOT analysis in strategic planning. You might also want to suggest areas for future research or potential improvements in the methodology of SWOT analysis.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After writing your essay, take time to review and refine it. Ensure that your arguments are clearly articulated and supported by examples. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to further improve your essay. A well-crafted essay on SWOT analysis will not only demonstrate your understanding of the framework but also your ability to critically engage with management and planning tools.

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SWOT Analysis: How To Do One [With Template & Examples]

Updated: August 02, 2024

Published: August 01, 2024

“ Our business is absolutely flawless and we have nothing to improve upon ” — said no business owner ever. Instead, we business owners often think of all the ways we could potentially grow our businesses and guard against threats.

I often hear things like:

“Why are my customers not increasing?”

“If only there was a way to find out how to establish my business.”

“My competitors are doing so well, what am I doing wrong?”

The solution lies in one word: SWOT analysis. Well that’s two words, but you get my drift.

I recently conducted a SWOT analysis for my law firm marketing business and it changed everything. In this post, I’ll share my findings.

In this article:

What is a SWOT analysis?

Importance of a swot analysis, parts of a swot analysis, external and internal factors of a swot analysis, how do you write a good swot analysis.

• Swot Analysis Chart

SWOT Analysis Examples

How to act on a swot analysis, 6 swot analysis tips from real professionals, when to use a swot analysis.

Free SWOT Analysis Template

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A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning technique that puts your business in perspective using the following lenses: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Using a SWOT analysis helps you identify ways your business can improve and maximize opportunities, while simultaneously determining negative factors that might hinder your chances of success.

While it may seem simple on the surface, a SWOT analysis allows you to make unbiased evaluations on:

• Your business or brand.
• Market positioning.
• A new project or initiative.
• A specific campaign or channel.

Practically anything that requires strategic planning, internal or external, can have the SWOT framework applied to it, helping you avoid unnecessary errors down the road from lack of insight.

You may have noticed by now that SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The framework seems simple enough that you’d be tempted to forgo using it at all, relying instead on your intuition to take these things into account.

As a small business owner, I was tempted to forgo using it, thinking I knew everything about my business anyway. I was wrong. Doing a SWOT analysis is important. Here’s why.

1. SWOT gives you the chance to worry and to dream.

A SWOT analysis is an important step in your strategic process because it gives you the opportunity to explore both the potential risks and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. You’re giving yourself the space to dream, evaluate, and worry before taking action.

Your insights then turn into assets as you create the roadmap for your initiative.

For instance, making a SWOT analysis for my business allowed me to consider the weaknesses and threats that my business might face in the future, which in turn led me to address any concerns or challenges and strategize on how to mitigate those risks.

At the same time, I was able to identify strengths and opportunities which helped inspire innovative ideas and helped me dream big. Both are equally important.

2. SWOT forces you to define your variables.

Instead of diving head first into planning and execution, I had to first take inventory of all my assets and roadblocks. This process helped me develop strategies that leverage my strengths and opportunities while addressing and mitigating the impact of weaknesses and threats.

As a result, I gained a comprehensive understanding of my current situation and created a more specific and effective roadmap. Plus, a SWOT analysis is inherently proactive. This means I was better equipped to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and set realistic goals.

3. SWOT allows you to account for mitigating factors.

As I continued to identify weaknesses and threats, I was better able to account for them in my roadmap, thereby improving my chances of success.

Also, accounting for mitigating factors allows me to allocate my resources wisely and make informed decisions that lead to sustainable growth. Using the SWOT analysis as a guide, I can confidently face challenges and seize opportunities.

4. SWOT helps you keep a written record.

As my organization grows and changes, I’ll be able to strike things off my old SWOTs and make additions. With this I can look back at where I came from and look ahead at what’s to come.

In other words, SWOT analyses serve as a tangible history of your progress and provide a reference point for future decision-making. With each update, your SWOT analysis becomes a living document that guides your strategic thinking and helps you stay agile and adaptable in an ever-changing business landscape.

By maintaining this written record, you foster a culture of continuous improvement and empower your team to make data-driven decisions and stay aligned with your long-term vision.

Conducting a SWOT analysis will help you strategize effectively, unlock valuable insights, and make informed decisions. But what exactly does a SWOT analysis include?

Let’s explore each component: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

SWOT strengths are the unique advantages and internal capabilities that give your company a competitive edge in the market. A strong brand reputation, innovative products or services, or exceptional customer service are just a few examples.

I have discovered that by identifying and capitalizing on your strengths, you can build a solid foundation for growth. You can also use those strengths in other areas that might need additional support, for instance, increasing customer satisfaction .

When asked how conducting a SWOT analysis on his business helped him, Rahul Vij , managing director of WebSpero Solutions replied that the analysis identified “a key strength in our customer service, which we then promoted more heavily in our marketing campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores.”

When I was looking into the strengths of my own business, here are some questions that I asked myself:

• How satisfied are our current clients with our services?
• What is our reputation within the industry?
• What unique skills or expertise does the team possess?
• Do we have any advantages over our competitors?

– Zeeshan Akhtar , head of marketing at Mailmodo

“It's easy to fall into a groupthink because usually, SWOT analysis is conducted by management. What we did differently in this case, given the issue we wanted to tackle, was involve an external consultant as well as internal employees to get more diverse perspectives and creative solutions.”

– Zach Dannett , cofounder at Tumble

“ During a SWOT analysis, delving deep into competitors' operations to uncover their vulnerabilities can be invaluable. For instance, discovering a key competitor struggling with customer service inefficiencies through reviews and market feedback can highlight an opportunity for differentiation.”

– Harrison Tang , CEO of Spokeo

“Set priorities and focus on the most impactful areas first. Allocate resources strategically, prioritizing initiatives that promise the greatest returns.”

Arham Khan , CEO of Pixated

“ In terms of leveraging the results, businesses need to be proactive. Don't just see it as a one-time report - use it as a roadmap. Whether reinforcing strengths, addressing weaknesses or pursuing opportunities, SWOT should influence strategic planning and product roadmaps. Revisit it annually too, as situations evolve. ”

– Kelly Indah , editor-in-chief at Increditools

Ultimately, a SWOT analysis can measure and tackle both big and small challenges, from deciding whether or not to launch a new product to refining your social media strategy.

When conducting your own SWOT analysis, you may face problems like data overload, differing opinions, and actionability. I certainly did. However in my experience, these problems can be solved by:

• Focusing on the most relevant information and filtering out the noise.
• Facilitating discussions to reach an agreement or using a neutral moderator.
• Ensuring each point is specific and actionable, providing clear direction for your strategies.

I will conclude this piece by saying don‘t underestimate the power of taking a step back from time to time to assess where you’ve been, where you‘re at, and where you’re going.

I firmly believe that regularly conducting a SWOT analysis is critical for any entrepreneur looking to grow.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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