SWOT Analysis

Strategic change is a process that involves analyzing an organization's vision, mission, goals, and strategic plans. Organizational leaders can perform this analysis using SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), which involves examining an organization's internal and external environments. By analyzing an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, leaders are better equipped to identify and address issues and help the organization in achieving its short-term goals. In this Discussion, you select a nonprofit or government organization in which you work or that you are familiar with and conduct a simple, brief SWOT analysis.

Post by Day 3 a description of the organization you are using for the SWOT analysis. Then, conduct a SWOT analysis and summarize the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that your organization faces now and over the next 5 years.

Read a selection of your colleagues'' postings.

Respond by Day 5 to two colleagues by comparing the findings in your SWOT analysis. Be sure to contrast key aspects of the organization you chose to your colleagues'' chosen SWOT analysis.

Assessing the Internal and External Environment
Leaders must have an intimate knowledge of their organization, community, and the broader context in which they operate. They must also routinely monitor the external environment for opportunities and threats so they are not merely reacting to events and missing opportunities but rather anticipating possible changes, particularly dramatic and unpredictable changes.

To complete:

In the Group Wiki, write by Day 5 responses to the following:

Describe a leadership process or strategy that you might use to identify key issues and trends that pose opportunities and threats to your organization. Explain the process and provide a resource for your colleagues.

Locate and identify sources (professional journals, newsletters, blogs, thought leaders, government reports, etc.) you could use to identify policy issues and/or trends that will impact your organization over the next 5 years.