Plan ahead and avoid surprises with a SWOT analysis template

A SWOT analysis is a business planning tool that helps a company identify, and plan to overcome, its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Split into four quadrants, SWOT analysis examples will look at internal vs. external influences, as well as helpful vs. harmful factors.

Strengths are helpful assets within an organization, such as team attributes and unique value props, whereas weaknesses are harmful internal factors, such as limited bandwidth or resources. Opportunities are helpful attributes from your environment, like an unsaturated or emerging market, while threats refer to harmful external circumstances, like strict regulations, tough competition, and customer distrust within the industry.

Every SWOT analysis example begins with a clearly defined objective. With this as your guiding light, jot down internal strengths and weaknesses from within your company, then opportunities and threats based on market research.

Following the brainstorming session with your team, prioritize within each category: which strength can you most effectively leverage? Which weakness do you need to address first? Which opportunity opens the most doors? And which threat is most dangerous? With the answers in mind, you can begin to strategize solutions, moving from SWOT analyses to business models and roadmaps.

You should present your SWOT analysis in the same way, first identifying your overarching objective then diving into each quadrant, and finally, summarizing your findings with actionable solutions and strategies.

A SWOT analysis diagram allows your organization to prepare for anticipated challenges and leverage existing advantages for a more seamless transition or a successful venture. Its importance is often underappreciated, but it could easily make the difference between unnecessary losses and impressive profit margins.