Make Your Own SWOT Analysis

What is SWOT Analysis?

SWOT Analysis is a simple but powerful method that means Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

SWOT Analysis is used to assess the current position of any person or entity before deciding on a new strategy, situation or process.

SWOT analysis was developed in the 1960s by Learned, Christensen, Andrews and Guth, professors at Harvard University.

How is SWOT Analysis Done?

When performing SWOT Analysis, we should ask ourselves (or the institution) some questions. Based on our answers to these questions, we determine our strengths/weaknesses-directions and opportunities/threats. That way, we’ll take our next step more firmly.

1-) Strengths

• What do I do better than anyone?
• What do others say I do well?
• What is my greatest achievement?
• What does success mean to me?
• Is my social aspect and communication skills strong?
• What unique knowledge, skills or resources do I have?
• What advantages do I have (for example, skills, certificates, educational status, etc.)?

2-) Weaknesses

• What subjects/areas do I lack?
• What are the areas where I don’t have confidence?
• What do the people around me think I’m weak about?
• What’s my biggest failure?
• What does failure mean to me?
• What factors cause my weaknesses?
• Can I say that I have complete confidence in my education and skills?
• What are the points in my working method that I think are negative?

3-) Opportunities

• What are the opportunities in front of me?
• What are the resources that create opportunities for me?
• What events and changes make my job easier?
• Is the department I study/the sector I work in promising in terms of my career?
• How do I extend my network?

4-) Threats

• What obstacles do I have in front of me?
• What elements can interfere with my journey?
• What are the others doing about it?
• Do changing circumstances pose a threat to me?
• Is there a lot of competitors in your sector, is the competition intense?
• Do I have financial problems, or under what circumstances?

It is very important that you answer these questions from a critical point of view. After giving your answers, you can make a short analysis. This allows you to determine how to take advantage of your strengths and opportunities, eliminate weaknesses and threats.

You can also get advice and improve yourself by talking to people in your immediate vicinity (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) about your strengths and weaknesses.