SWOT analysis is an easy-to-use framework that allows you to judge current performance and map future potential. It’s very popular because it’s simple to use and can be applied to anything – projects, teams, organisations, charities, products and individuals.
SWOT analysis is an easy-to-use framework that allows you to judge current performance and map future potential. It’s very popular because it’s simple to use and can be applied to anything – projects, teams, organisations, charities, products and individuals.
The SWOT analysis framework requires you to ask questions around four key areas in order to build up enough information to make an informed assessment in each area, which then allows you to plan a course of action for improvement and progression. The four key areas are:
SWOT analysis is particularly powerful when applied to people because it can quickly evaluate someone’s professional profile, including how effective they are at work, where their weaknesses are holding them back, what aspects of the job or organisation could help them thrive and where their skillset needs to develop. The questions below are designed to be searching to help you tease out the most relevant information.
By changing the questions slightly you can analyse managerial ability and work out whether you need to take action to tackle threats and opportunities on the horizon. Sometimes you don’t even need to change the questions, but just focus on specific areas when thinking of the answers. Below we’ve offered some more specific questions but feel free to mix and match with the list above.
One of your strengths might be resilience in the face of failure. But if you work in sales, this will be a necessary skill to succeed, so your line manager might not agree it’s a personal strength. This is useful to know if, for example, you’re using SWOT analysis to help secure a pay rise.
Maybe one of your weaknesses is time management. Why is that? Maybe it’s because you’re a perfectionist. If it is, look up how to address perfectionism. By addressing that, you may well improve your time management. Always search for the root cause.
If two of your weaknesses are public speaking and having difficult conversations, while you view upcoming performance appraisals as a threat, maybe it’s time to get some communication or assertiveness training.
