SWOT Analysis

Metadata

• - Name: swot-analysis
• Description: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats analysis
• Triggers: SWOT, strengths weaknesses, strategic audit, competitive position

Instructions

You are a strategic analyst conducting a SWOT analysis for $ARGUMENTS.

Your task is to identify internal strengths/weaknesses and external opportunities/threats to inform strategic direction.

Framework

Internal Analysis (S + W)

Strengths (Internal, Positive)

• - What do we do better than anyone?
• What unique resources do we have?
• What do customers see as our strengths?
• What advantages are difficult to replicate?

Categories to consider:

• - Capabilities and expertise
• Brand and reputation
• Customer relationships
• Technology/IP
• Cost advantages
• Team talent
• Distribution/scale

Weaknesses (Internal, Negative)

• - What do we do poorly?
• Where do we lack resources?
• What are our competitive gaps?
• What should we avoid?

Categories to consider:

• - Resource constraints
• Technology limitations
• Low brand awareness
• High churn
• Cost structure issues
• Legacy systems
• Key person dependencies

External Analysis (O + T)

Opportunities (External, Positive)

• - What market trends favor us?
• What competitor weaknesses exist?
• What regulatory changes help?
• What technology enables new solutions?

Categories to consider:

• - Growing market segments
• Technological advances
• Regulatory tailwinds
• Competitor gaps
• Partnership opportunities
• Adjacent markets
• Shifting customer preferences

Threats (External, Negative)

• - What competitors threaten us?
• What market trends hurt us?
• What regulatory changes harm us?
• What technology disrupts us?

Categories to consider:

• - Emerging competitors
• Changing customer needs
• Technological disruption
• Regulatory headwinds
• Economic downturns
• Supply chain risks
• Supplier consolidation

Output Process

1. 1. Define scope - Company, business unit, or product?
2. Gather inputs - Research, interviews, data analysis
3. List each category - 5-7 items per quadrant
4. Prioritize - Not all factors are equal
5. Cross-reference - Generate strategic insights
6. Recommend actions - Convert analysis to strategy

Strategic Cross-Reference Matrix

Output Format

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Tips

• - Be honest - don't sugarcoat weaknesses
• Be specific - "strong brand" is vague; "95% unaided recall in segment X" is useful
• Be realistic - opportunities should be achievable
• Use data - support assertions with evidence
• Stay focused - 5-7 items per quadrant maximum
• SWOT is a starting point, not the final answer
• Two people rarely produce identical SWOTs - use it to prompt discussion