BABOK_Guide_v3_member_copy

SWOT Analysis
Techniques
enterprise as a whole to a division, a business unit, a project, or even an
individual. By performing SWOT in a disciplined way, stakeholders can have a
clearer understanding of the impact of an existing set of conditions on a future
set of conditions.
A SWOT analysis can be used to:
• evaluate an organization's current environment,
• share information learned with stakeholders,
• identify the best possible options to meet an organization’s needs,
• identify potential barriers to success and create action plans to overcome
barriers,
• adjust and redefine plans throughout a project as new needs arise,
Complimentary IIBA® Member Copy. Not for Distribution or Resale.
10.46.3 Elements
• identify areas of strength that will assist an organization in implementing
new strategies,
• develop criteria for evaluating project success based on a given set of
requirements,
• identify areas of weakness that could undermine project goals, and
• develop strategies to address outstanding threats.
SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats:
• Strengths (S): anything that the assessed group does well. May include
experienced personnel, effective processes, IT systems, customer
relationships, or any other internal factor that leads to success.
• Weaknesses (W): actions or functions that the assessed group does poorly
or not at all.
• Opportunities (O): external factors of which the assessed group may be
able to take advantage. May include new markets, new technology,
changes in the competitive marketplace, or other forces.
• Threats (T): external factors that can negatively affect the assessed group.
They may include factors such as the entrance into the market of a new
competitor, economic downturns, or other forces.
Beginning a SWOT analysis with opportunities and threats sets the context to
identify strengths and weaknesses.
354