What is SWOT Analysis?
SWOT: Strategic tool for
analyzing internal and
external factors.
Four elements: Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities,
Threats.
Project Management Techniques
•"History of SWOT Analysis"
• Emerged in the 1960s-70s as a management tool.
• Popularized in strategic management by Albert Humphrey.
•Applications of SWOT
• Used in business strategy, project planning, personal development,
and more.
•Strengths in SWOT
• Internal attributes that give a competitive advantage.
• Examples: Strong brand, skilled workforce, loyal customers.
•Identifying Strengths
• Use tools like performance reviews, market analysis, and internal
surveys.
•Weaknesses in SWOT
• Internal factors that limit success or create disadvantages.
• Examples: High turnover, poor customer service, limited R&D
•Identifying Weaknesses
• Tools: Customer feedback, financial analysis, performance tracking.
•Opportunities in SWOT
• External factors that the organization can capitalize on.
• Examples: New markets, emerging technologies, regulatory changes
•Identifying Opportunities
• Use tools like PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological,
Environmental, Legal) analysis
What is PESTEL Analysis?
Definition: PESTEL stands for
Political, Economic, Social,
Technological,
Environmental, and Legal.
PESTEL is a framework to
analyze external macro-
environmental factors
affecting an organization.
Importance: Helps
businesses anticipate
market changes and adapt
their strategies.
•Origins of PESTEL Analysis
• Originated from the PEST analysis (Political, Economic, Social,
Technological) and evolved into PESTEL by adding Environmental
and Legal factors.
• Widely used in strategic management and business planning
•Why Use PESTEL Analysis?
• It provides a structured way to scan the external environment.
• Helps businesses avoid threats and capitalize on opportunities.
• It’s adaptable to various industries and sectors
•How to Conduct a PESTEL Analysis
• Identify external factors in each category (Political, Economic, etc.).
• Analyze how each factor affects the organization or industry.
• Continuously monitor changes in these external factors
PESTEL vs. SWOT
• PESTEL focuses on external factors, while
SWOT includes internal and external
elements.
• Both tools are complementary in strategic
planning.
•Understanding Political Factors
• Political factors include government policies, stability, taxation,
trade regulations, and international relations.
• Significance: Political decisions can create opportunities or threats
for businesses
•Examples of Political Factors
• Trade wars, tariffs, government stability, tax reforms, labor laws,
trade agreements.
• Impact of international relations on global trade
•Understanding Economic Factors
• Economic factors include inflation, interest rates, economic growth,
unemployment, and exchange rates.
• Significance: Economic conditions influence consumer purchasing
power and investment.
•Examples of Economic Factors
• Economic recessions, inflation rates, consumer spending patterns,
exchange rates, GDP growth.
• Influence of global economic conditions on business performance.
•Key Economic Factors
• Economic cycles (recessions, booms).
• Consumer confidence and purchasing power.
• Inflation and deflation.
• Exchange rates and global supply chain impacts.
•Social Factors Overview
• Refers to societal influences, including cultural trends,
demographics, and lifestyle changes.
• Examples: Population growth, health consciousness, education
levels, social attitudes
•Key Social Factors
• Changing demographics (aging populations, urbanization).
• Shifting consumer behavior (sustainability, eco-consciousness).
• Education levels and workforce skills.
• Attitudes toward work-life balance.
•Technological Factors Overview
• Refers to innovations, research, and technology that impact
industries.
• Examples: Automation, R&D, AI, internet infrastructure
•Key Technological Factors
• Technological advancements and R&D.
• Automation and its impact on jobs.
• Digital transformation (cloud computing, AI).
• Cybersecurity risks.
•Environmental Factors Overview
• Refers to ecological and environmental aspects, including climate
change, pollution, and sustainability practices.
• Examples: Climate change, carbon footprint, renewable energy
adoption, resource depletion
•Key Environmental Factors
• Climate change regulations.
• Carbon emissions and environmental impact.
• Waste management and recycling policies.
• Sustainable sourcing and renewable energy
•Legal Factors Overview
•Heading: "Legal Factors in PESTEL"
•Content:
• Refers to regulations and laws that govern industries, including labor
laws, intellectual property, and consumer protection.
• Examples: Employment laws, safety regulations, copyright laws,
trade laws
•Key Legal Factors
• Consumer protection laws.
• Employment laws and labor rights.
• Health and safety regulations.
• Data protection and privacy laws (e.g., GDPR)
•"PESTEL Industry Analysis"
• CHOOSE an industry and develop a PESTEL analysis from scratch.
• Analyze the industry using all six factors of PESTEL.
•Threats in SWOT
• External factors that could cause harm or reduce competitiveness.
• Examples: Increased competition, economic downturn, regulatory
shifts
•Identifying Threats
• Tools: Competitor analysis, risk management frameworks, market
research
Case Study: Apple
Strengths: Strong brand,
innovation.
Weaknesses: High prices,
product ecosystem
dependency.
Opportunities: Expansion in
emerging markets,
wearable technology.
Threats: Competition from
Android, economic shifts
Case Study: Tesla
Strengths: Innovation in electric
vehicles, strong brand.
Weaknesses: Production bottlenecks,
high costs.
Opportunities: Growing green energy
demand, autonomous driving.
Threats: Supply chain challenges,
competition from established car
manufacturers
•Business Case Study
• Choose a small business (either hypothetical or real).
• List its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
•Activity: SWOT Analysis Exercise
•Scenario: Company X has implemented a new quality control program to reduce defects,
but the results have been mixed.
•Task: In pairs, conduct a SWOT Analysis for Company X based on the following:
• Strengths: The company has high product demand and a skilled workforce.
• Weaknesses: The quality control measures are costly and there is inconsistent
training.
• Opportunities: The market is expanding, and new technologies can streamline
production.
• Threats: Competitors are adopting Six Sigma to reduce costs.
•Share: Each pair will present their SWOT analysis to the class, focusing on how the
company can use its strengths and opportunities to mitigate weaknesses and threats.
Strengths
•1. High Product Demand: There is a strong customer base
with consistent demand for Company X’s products, providing
opportunities for growth and investment.
2. Skilled Workforce: The company has a workforce with
high levels of expertise, which enhances the implementation
of quality control measures and the production of high-quality
products
Weaknesses
•1. Costly Quality Control Measures: The quality control
program requires significant investment, which may reduce
overall profitability and restrict budget allocation to other
important areas.
2. Inconsistent Training: Training programs for quality
control are not uniformly implemented, leading to variations in
performance and quality standards among employees
•1. Market Expansion: The industry is
experiencing growth, which opens
doors for Company X to capture a
larger market share and increase sales Opportunitie
volume.
2. New Technologies: Emerging s
technologies can streamline production
processes, reduce defects, and
enhance overall efficiency, making
quality control more effective and less
costly
Threats
•1. Competitors Adopting Six Sigma: Competitors are
implementing Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency
and reduce costs, which could give them a competitive edge
over Company X.
2. Market Saturation: As competitors improve their quality
and reduce costs, Company X risks losing market share if it
does not enhance its quality control measures and production
efficiency
•Leverage Strengths:
•Utilize High Demand: Company X can
capitalize on its high product demand to invest
in better quality control systems and
technologies. By enhancing product quality,
the company can increase customer
satisfaction and potentially command higher
prices.
•Capitalize on Skilled Workforce: Develop a
robust internal training program that leverages
the skills of experienced employees. This will
ensure that all staff are proficient in the quality
control processes, reducing inconsistency and
defects
•Mitigate Weaknesses:
•Cost Analysis of Quality Control: Conduct a detailed cost-
benefit analysis of the current quality control measures.
Identify areas where costs can be reduced without
compromising quality.
•Standardized Training Programs: Implement standardized
training protocols for quality control across all departments.
This ensures consistency in how quality control measures are
applied and understood by all employees.
•Seize Opportunities:
•Explore Market Expansion: Actively pursue market
expansion by analyzing potential new customer segments and
geographic areas. Tailor marketing strategies to target these
new opportunities effectively.
•Invest in New Technologies: Research and adopt new
technologies that can streamline production processes. For
example, integrating automation and advanced analytics could
enhance quality control, reduce labor costs, and minimize
errors
•Counteract Threats:
•Benchmarking Against Competitors: Analyze the Six
Sigma practices of competitors and consider how they can be
adapted to fit Company X's needs. This could include adopting
similar data-driven approaches to quality control.
•Differentiate Products: Focus on unique selling propositions
(USPs) to distinguish Company X’s products from competitors.
This could involve emphasizing superior quality, innovative
features, or exceptional customer service to maintain
customer loyalty
Risk Mapping
Definition of risk mapping: A visual
representation of potential risks that may
impact an organization.
The Importance of Risk Mapping
Helps visualize risks in relation to their
impact and likelihood.
Facilitates informed decision-making.
Enhances communication among
stakeholders.
Prioritizes risk mitigation efforts
Components of Risk Mapping
• Risk Identification: Recognizing potential
risks.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluating the likelihood
and impact of identified risks.
• Risk Prioritization: Ranking risks based on
their significance.
Steps in Creating a Risk Map
• Identify risks: Brainstorm potential risks
related to your organization or project.
• Assess risks: Determine the likelihood and
impact of each risk.
• Prioritize risks: Rank risks based on their
overall risk score.
• Develop a visual representation: Create a
risk map using a grid or heat map.
Risk Identification Techniques
• Brainstorming sessions
• SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, Threats)
• Interviews with stakeholders
• Historical data analysis
Risk Assessment Techniques
• Qualitative assessment: Categorizing risks
based on descriptive analysis.
• Quantitative assessment: Using numerical
data to evaluate risks (e.g., statistical
analysis).
Risk Prioritization
• Use of a risk matrix to categorize risks by
likelihood and impact.
• Risk scoring methods to quantify risk levels.
Creating a Risk Map
• Overview of different types of risk maps:
• Risk heat maps
• Bubble charts
• Risk register
Group Activity: Create Your Own Risk Map
• Task: Identify a hypothetical project and
create a risk map based on discussed
techniques.
Risk Maps
A risk map is a visual representation of risks associated with a
project, organization, or process. It typically plots risks on a
grid based on two criteria: likelihood (or probability of
occurrence) and impact (or consequence if the risk occurs).
Key Features:
Axes: Usually has one axis for likelihood (e.g., low to high)
and another for impact (e.g., low to high).
Color Coding: Risks may be color-coded (e.g., green for low
risk, yellow for moderate risk, red for high risk) to facilitate
quick identification.
Categories: Risks can be grouped into categories (e.g.,
operational, financial, strategic) for clearer analysis.
Purpose:
Risk maps help organizations visualize potential risks, prioritize
them for management, and communicate risk levels to
stakeholders.
Bubble Charts
A bubble chart is a type of data visualization that uses
circles (bubbles) to represent data points on a two-
dimensional plane. In the context of risk management,
it can represent multiple dimensions of risk.
Key Features:
Axes: Similar to risk maps, the axes can represent
different variables (e.g., likelihood vs. impact).
Bubble Size: The size of each bubble can represent a
third variable, such as the cost impact, time impact, or
priority of the risk.
Purpose:
Bubble charts provide a more dynamic way to visualize
risk data, showing relationships between multiple risk
factors and helping decision-makers prioritize risks
effectively.
Risk Register
A risk register is a document or tool that
systematically records all identified risks for a
project or organization, along with their
characteristics and status.
Key Features:
Risk Identification: A brief description of each risk.
Assessment: Evaluation of the likelihood and
impact of each risk (often scored or rated).
Mitigation Plans: Strategies and actions to address
each risk, including responsible parties and
timelines.
Status Updates: Ongoing tracking of the risk's
status (e.g., active, mitigated, resolved).
Risk Maps visually plot risks based on likelihood
and impact.
Bubble Charts offer a dynamic visualization of risk
data, incorporating a third dimension for analysis.
Risk Registers serve as detailed documentation for
identifying, assessing, and managing risks
systematically