What it is for:A SWOT analysis is a four-box review of an organisation, service or plan: internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. You leave with an evidence-backed picture of your internal strengths and weaknesses and the external opportunities and threats, plus two or three sharp strategic questions that combine them.
Who it helps:Leadership teams and planners starting a strategy or annual cycle, or weighing a new service, partnership or investment.
When to use it
You are starting a strategy or annual planning cycle and need a shared starting picture.
A team is considering a new service, partnership or investment and wants to test its position.
New leadership wants a quick, honest view of where an organisation stands.
How to use it
Name the subject and the time frame precisely.
Explain the line between internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats.
Everyone writes entries alone for eight minutes, then places them.
Add evidence to each entry and sharpen vague ones.
Combine boxes into questions and choose the two or three to take forward.
Tip:Keep the subject narrow; a SWOT of one service is more useful than one of a whole organisation.
Credits and sources:Original Tiremesù worksheet and wording. Further reading: CIPD https://prod.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/factsheets/swot-analysis-factsheet/
Full guide and film:https://www.tiremesu.com/guides/swot-analysis
