Business Plan Template by Entrepreneur Media SA (Pty Ltd)

Business Plan Template by Entrepreneur Media SA (Pty Ltd) For business advice, visit: http://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za

SWOT Analysis Template

While all SWOT analysis templates comprise the same basic elements, ie Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, the information you slot under each heading can make or break your planned product or solution launch.

Step1: Establish your objective by defining the aim of the SWOT analysis.

Step 2: Complete the SWOT analysis template.

Positive Factors Negative Factors

External STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Factors The aim is to identify the following: The aim is to identify the following:

 What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?  What do you do better than  What does your competition do others? better than you?  What unique capabilities and  What can you improve given resources do you possess? the current situation?  What do others perceive as  What do others perceive as your strengths? your weaknesses?

You can outline the advantages of the Here you examine the possible proposition by considering some, if not disadvantages of the proposition by all, of the following: looking at:

 Capabilities  Gaps in capabilities  Competitive advantages  Lack of competitive strength  Unique selling points  Reputation, presence and  Resources and assets reach  Experience, knowledge, data  Financials  Financial reserves, likely  Own known vulnerabilities returns  Timescales, deadlines and  Marketing - reach, distribution, pressures awareness  Cashflow, start-up cash-drain  Innovative aspects  Continuity, supply chain  Location and geographical robustness considerations  Effects on core activities,  Price, value, quality distraction  Accreditations, qualifications,  Reliability of data, plan certifications predictability  Processes, systems, IT,  Morale, commitment, communications leadership  Cultural, attitudinal,  Accreditations behavioural  Processes and systems  Management cover,  Management cover, succession succession  Philosophy and values

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Positive Factors Negative Factors

Internal OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Factors The aim is to identify the following: The aim is to identify the following:

 What trends or conditions may  What trends or conditions may positively impact you? negatively impact you?  What opportunities are  What are your competitors available to you? doing that may impact you?  Do you have solid financial This is where you list the opportunities support? for your proposition in a variety of areas: Here you consider threats to your proposition in terms of:  Market developments  Competitors' vulnerabilities Political impact  Industry or lifestyle trends Legislative effects  Technology development and Environmental effects innovation IT development  Global influences Competitors  New markets, both vertical, Market demand horizontal New technologies, services, ideas  Niche target markets Vital contracts and partners Sustaining internal capabilities  Geographical, export, import Obstacles faced  New USPs Insurmountable weaknesses  Tactics Loss of key staff  Business and product Sustainable financial backing development Economy, both local and international  Information and research Seasonality  Partnerships, agencies, distribution  Volumes, production, economies  Seasonal, weather, fashion influences

Step 3: Evaluate all of the above-listed items against the stated objectives.

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