Introduction to SWOT Analysis What is SWOT It

Introduction to SWOT Analysis

What is SWOT? • It is a planning tool used to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats involved in a business. It is used as part of Strategic Planning Process

Strategic Planning helps an organisation to answer some basic and critical questions like: a) Where we stand? b) What is our goal? c) How to reach the desired goal? d) How to evaluate performance?

The Environment The actions of an organisation /institution are influenced simultaneously by two factors: a) Internal Environment: People, systems, infrastructure, capabilities, culture etc. b) External Environment: Political, legal, social, economical, technological etc.

Internal Environment Analysis of Internal Environment leads to identification of: a) Strengths: Positive aspects which are within the control of the institution. b) Weaknesses: Constraining factors that hinder the institution’s ability to achieve its desired goals.

Strengths & Weaknesses Contributing Factors: • People (Teachers/Staff/Students) • Programmes (UG/PG/Doctoral) • Properties (Assets/Infrastructure/Lab) • Processes (Teaching/Research)

Strengths • • Highly competent faculty with Ph. D. Modern laboratories & equipments Unique programmes offered Value adding additional programmes Reputation & brand image Examination & Evaluation Process Research projects/Consultancy Industry interactions

Weaknesses • • Lack of competent/qualified staff Inadequate facilities/labs Outdated syllabus/courses Lack of industry orientation Weak employability of students Lack of research activities Internal Funding difficulties for projects

External Environment Analysis of External Environment leads to identification of: a) Opportunities: Attractive factors that help an institution to develop & improve b) Threats: Factors beyond the control of an institution that potentially damage the present existence and future development

Opportunities & Threats Contributing Factors: • Technological • Economic • Legal/Regulatory • Social • Demographic • Political

Opportunities • Growing demand for various courses • Growing demand for Technically qualified people • New Technology Developments • Research opportunities in specialised and niche areas • Collaborations with industry • Collaborations with institutes of higher learning (national & international)

Threats • Competition from new entrants at local, national & international level • Decreasing scope for some programmes • Change in Technology • Declining availability of qualified faculty • Decline in the overall quality of student intake • Tight regulatory measures

• • Why SWOT? Strengths – How to leverage? Weaknesses – How to overcome? Opportunities – How to exploit? Threats – How to defend? SWOT provides clarity on where we stand & in which direction we should move SWOT leads to development of shortterm & long-term objectives.

In the Absence • • Hidden strengths not utilised Weaknesses not identified & taken care Opportunities missed Unprepared to face threats

After SWOT • Link strengths to action plan to create sustainable competitive advantage • Propose specific action plan to overcome weaknesses • Develop action plan to take advantage of opportunities • Develop action plan to defend the threats

How to proceed? • • Select a coordinator Create a SWOT Team Brainstorm (all stakeholders) Record all suggestions Consolidate ideas Clarify ideas & prioritise Summarise into a SWOT Document • Questionnaire circulated