SWOT Analysis used to identify root causes of problems, but it can also be a helpful tool to delve deeper into

the factors identified

during a SWOT analysis. This is Basic rules of SWOT Analysis Question to gain richer insights from Problem.
1. Strengths:
Why is this a strength? What specific resources or capabilities give you this advantage?
Why are these resources or capabilities valuable? How do they contribute to your success?
Why are you better positioned than your competitors in this area?
By asking "Why" multiple times, you can uncover the underlying reasons behind your strengths and identify how to leverage them
effectively.

2. Weaknesses:
Why is this a weakness? What factors are contributing to this limitation?
Why are these factors a problem? How do they hinder your performance?
Why haven't you been able to address this weakness so far?
By applying the 5 Why approach to weaknesses, you can identify the root causes that need to be addressed and develop strategies to
overcome them.

3. Opportunities:
Why is this an opportunity? What external trends or changes are creating this potential?
Why is this opportunity attractive? How could it benefit your business?
Why are you well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity?
Asking "Why" about opportunities helps you understand the underlying reasons for their attractiveness and allows you to assess your
ability to seize them effectively.

4. Threats:
Why is this a threat? What specific events or trends could cause this threat to materialize?
Why would this threat be problematic? How could it negatively impact your business?
Why are you vulnerable to this threat? Are there any dependencies or weaknesses that make you more susceptible?
By using the 5 Why approach for threats, you can gain a deeper understanding of the potential risks and develop contingency plans to
mitigate their impact.
 SWOT EXERCISE 1
You've just opened a restaurant specializing in delicious and healthy
Asian fusion cuisine. The food is prepared fresh with high-quality
ingredients, and the atmosphere is trendy and inviting. However, the
location is slightly off the beaten path, and there are several established
restaurants in the area.

Develop a SWOT Analysis for your new Asian fusion restaurant. What
are its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats?
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 SWOT EXERCISE 2

Imagine you are the marketing director for a local bakery chain with 5
stores. The bakery is known for its high-quality, fresh-baked goods but
struggles to compete with larger chain stores that offer cheaper, mass-
produced pastries.

Develop a SWOT Analysis for the bakery chain. What are its Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats?
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 SWOT EXERCISE 3
You've launched a cruelty-free cosmetic line made with natural and
organic ingredients. Your products are high-quality and ethically
sourced, but you're a small brand with limited marketing resources.

Develop a SWOT Analysis for your new cosmetic line. What are its
Strengths, Weaknesses,
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 SWOT EXERCISE 4
You've opened a no-frills gym with affordable membership options and a
focus on basic weight training and cardio equipment. The gym is located in a
working-class neighborhood where many residents are budget-conscious.
However, there's a more established, high-end gym nearby that offers a wider
variety of classes and amenities.

Develop a SWOT Analysis for your new budget-friendly gym. What are its
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats?
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 SWOT EXERCISE 5
You've started a home bakery specializing in delicious and creative custom
cakes. You use high-quality ingredients and offer a variety of flavors and
designs. However, you lack the brand recognition of established bakeries and
don't have a physical storefront to attract walk-in customers.

Develop a SWOT Analysis for your home bakery. What are its Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats?
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 SWOT EXERCISE 6
You've opened a zero-waste grocery store in an affluent neighborhood. The
store offers a wide variety product But Friendly user to Environment offering
fresh produce and household goods. Encouraging customers to bring their
own reusable containers. While there's growing interest in sustainability,
you're unsure how receptive customers will be to the concept of package-free
shopping.

Develop a SWOT Analysis for your zero-waste grocery store. What are its
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats?
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 SWOT EXERCISE 6
You run a popular local Cat Hotel with a handful of regular clients. You're
passionate about animal care and offer personalized Cat Care sevice such
as Cat Grooming and everything Cats needs. However, you sometimes
struggle to keep up with demand, especially during peak hours.
Develop a SWOT Analysis for your Cat Hotel service. What are its Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats?

This scenario focuses on a smaller, service-based business, allowing you to

consider factors like customer satisfaction, scalability, and competition
from larger pet care companies.
SWOT
SWOT OUTCOMES
 Other Tips

Develop Strategies:
The core purpose of SWOT analysis is to use the insights to develop actionable strategies.
SO (Strengths-Opportunities) Strategies: How can you leverage your strengths to
capitalize on existing or emerging opportunities?
WO (Weaknesses-Opportunities) Strategies: How can you improve your weaknesses to
take advantage of opportunities?
ST (Strengths-Threats) Strategies: How can you use your strengths to defend against
potential threats?
WT (Weaknesses-Threats) Strategies: How can you minimize your weaknesses to reduce
the impact of threats?

Here are some additional tips for conducting an effective SWOT analysis:
Involve Diverse Perspectives: Get input from different stakeholders like employees from
various departments, customers, or even suppliers. This can provide a more well-rounded view.
Be Honest and Objective: Don't sugarcoat weaknesses or downplay threats. A realistic
assessment is crucial for developing effective strategies.
Focus on Actionable Insights: Don't get bogged down in just creating lists. Use the SWOT
analysis to brainstorm concrete steps you can take to improve your business or achieve your
objective.
Review and Update Regularly: The business landscape is constantly changing. Regularly revisit
your SWOT analysis to ensure it reflects current realities and adapt your strategies accordingly.
By following these steps and tips, you can conduct a SWOT analysis that provides valuable
insights to guide your decision-making and move your business forward.
• SWOT analysis offers a valuable set of advantages compared to other problem-solving tools, making it a versatile and popular choice.expand_more
Here's a breakdown of why SWOT analysis stands out:
• Strengths of SWOT Analysis:
• pen_spark
• Simplicity and Ease of Use: SWOT is a straightforward framework that anyone can understand and apply.expand_more It doesn't require complex
calculations or specialized knowledge.expand_more
• Comprehensive View: SWOT considers both internal (strengths & weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities & threats) influencing a
situation.expand_more This holistic view helps identify potential roadblocks and opportunities for improvement.expand_more
• Flexibility: SWOT can be applied to various situations, from analyzing a business idea to evaluating a marketing campaign or assessing a department's
performance.expand_more
• Action-Oriented: The core purpose of SWOT analysis is to use the insights to develop actionable strategies.expand_more It helps translate identified
factors into concrete steps for improvement.expand_more
• Communication Tool: SWOT analysis can be a powerful communication tool.expand_more By presenting findings in a clear and concise format (2x2
matrix), it facilitates discussions and helps stakeholders understand the bigger picture.
• How SWOT compares to other problem-solving tools:
• 5 Whys: While complementary, SWOT is broader. It identifies factors affecting a situation, while 5 Whys focuses on drilling down to the root cause of
a specific problem. You can use the 5 Whys to analyze weaknesses identified in a SWOT analysis.
• Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram): Similar to 5 Whys, a Fishbone Diagram helps identify root causes.expand_more However, SWOT provides a
wider perspective by also considering strengths, opportunities, and external factors.
• Porter's Five Forces: This framework analyzes the competitive landscape of an industry.expand_more While valuable for strategic planning, SWOT
can be used for a wider range of situations, including internal department evaluations.expand_more
• BCG Matrix (Boston Consulting Group Matrix): This tool helps prioritize products or business units based on market share and growth
rate.expand_more SWOT, on the other hand, provides a more general assessment of a business or situation, encompassing various internal and
external factors.expand_more
• In essence, SWOT analysis offers a well-rounded approach to problem-solving. It's simple to use, considers various aspects of a situation, and
helps translate insights into actionable strategies.exclamation While other tools may be more specific in their application, SWOT analysis provides
a versatile and effective framework for various situations

• Reference