SWOT Analysis Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and SWOT分析的长处，弱点，机遇，和.doc

SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Contributed by Val RenaultEdited by Jerry Schultz Main Section !-- a { text-decoration: none} -- What is a SWOT analysis and why should you use one? When do you use SWOT? What are the elements of a SWOT analysis? How do you create a SWOT analysis? How do you use your SWOT analysis?  Yin and yang. Sweet and sour. Night and day. Strength and weakness. Opposites are a fact of life. If you know how to take stock of the oppositions within and without your effort or group, you are more likely to plan and act effectively. Thats where the SWOT team comes in. Unlike the law and order SWAT team (Special Weapons and Tactics), which police use to tackle perilous situations, this version of SWOT can help you handle both ordinary and unusual situations in your community health or development initiative. What is a SWOT analysis and why should you use one? The name says it: Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat. A SWOT analysis guides you to identify the positives and negatives inside your organization (S-W) and outside of it, in the external environment (O-T). Developing a full awareness of your situation can help with both strategic planning and decision-making. The SWOT method (which is sometimes called TOWS) was originally developed for business and industry, but it is equally useful in the work of community health and development, education, and even personal growth. SWOT is not the only assessment technique you can use, but is one with a long track record of effectiveness. Compare it with other tools found in the Community Tool Box to determine if this is the right approach for your situation. The strengths of this method are its simplicity and application to a variety of levels of operation. When do you use SWOT? A SWOT analysis can offer helpful perspectives at any stage of an effort. You might use it to: Explore possibilities for new efforts or solutions to problems. Make decisions about the be