Team discussing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Many people think of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis as a marketing or strategic planning tool; however, SWOT analysis has become a great internal training tool often used for team-building exercises, to facilitate group interaction, as a morale booster, communication training exercise and more. The goal of a SWOT analysis is to use the analysis and information provided within it, to take actions that help a company grow and succeed. Compassion Capital Fund Best of the Best interviewed Jim Galvin who suggests, "SWOT works with any size organization, large or small. It can be used by individuals as well as management teams... It's a flexible and simple tool with many uses."
Instructions
1. Identify SWOT questions applicable to the particular training being conducted. What is the objective of the training? What supports or, conversely, does not support achieving the stated objective? A group performs an effective SWOT analysis. As a true team effort, the SWOT incorporates varying perspectives, educational levels, and experiences, as well as applied information from multiple constituencies.
2. Record the ideas gleaned from the brainstorming session. These ideas combine to develop an understanding of the objective, which is used to problem-solve, plan, evaluate, and develop further ideas to achieve the goals.
3. Determine strengths associated with the ability to perform in reference to the training. Describe positive abilities the employees have to succeed in the area of training. Determine what is done well, the advantages being brought to the table through the employees or the organization, and the resources available to ensure effective training and results. The SWOT format organizes thoughts and ideas.
4. Describe weaknesses that may hinder training, its effectiveness, or outcomes. Determine where and how improvement is required. Decide if previous training was effective and, if not, what caused the lack of performance.
5. Organizational potential
Determine organizational potential to achieve effective training practices. Identify methods to maximize this potential and create best training practices. Determine what can be provided that has not been provided before or that can be changed to achieve a better result. Decide what activities or changes can be added to provide greater opportunities for success.
6. Identify factors, which may have a negative impact to training, these may be things out of the control of the trainer. Identify risk factors and obstacles to training success. Look for those factors that may have hindered previous training success and develop strategies to avoid or correct them.
7. Build on Strengths, Minimize Weaknesses, Seize Opportunities, and Counteract Threats. Take action to develop a means of moving forward to achieve stated objectives.
8. Identify breakdowns and methods to adjust. Achieve successful training through analysis of SWOT and its implications for obtaining stated objectives.
Tags: Determine what, effective training, opportunities threats, previous training, stated objectives