S.W.O.T. Analysis
Wee Chow Hou
Ⅰ. Introduction
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.
The usefulness of SWOT analysis is not limited to profit-seeking organizations. SWOT analysis may be used in any decision-making situation when a desired end-state (objective) has been defined. Examples include: non-profit organizations, governmental units, and individuals. SWOT analysis may also be used in pre-crisis planning and preventive crisis management. SWOT analysis may also be used in creating a recommendation during a viability study.
In modern strategic management and planning, SWOT analysisis a widely known diagnostic tool. SWOT analysis refers to understanding the strength and weakness of the competitors relative to oneself, and realising the opportunities and threats that the environment may impact on one's business. Interestingly, SWOT analysis was already advocated by Sun Tzu more than 2,000 years ago when he said :
