SWOT analysis

SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective. The technique is credited to Albert Humphrey, who led a convention at Stanford University in the 1960s and 1970s using data from Fortune 500 companies.

A SWOT analysis must first start with defining a desired end state or objective. A SWOT analysis may be incorporated into the strategic planning model. Strategic Planning, including SWOT and SCAN analysis, has been the subject of much research.

• Strengths: attributes of the person or company that are helpful to achieving the objective.
• Weaknesses: attributes of the person or company that are harmful to achieving the objective.
• Opportunities: external conditions that are helpful to achieving the objective.
• Threats: external conditions which could do damage to the objective.

進而需用USED技巧來產出解決方案，USED是下列四個方向的重點縮寫，如用中文的四個關鍵字，會是「用、停、成、禦」。USED分別是

• 如何善用每個優勢？ How can we Use each Strength?
• 如何停止每個劣勢？ How can we Stop each Weakness?
• 如何成就每個機會？ How can we Exploit each Opportunity?
• 如何抵禦每個威脅？ How can we Defend against each Threat?