Module 4: Coordinating and Integrating Systems

6A. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis (SWOT Analysis)

A SWOT analysis is a structured process for groups to assess their current operations, major trends and issues that affect their activities, and ways to make optimal use of strengths and resources while minimizing the negative impact of potential barriers to change. It is important for each system and agency to do both external and internal environment assessments.

External Environmental Assessment

Think About What are the current conditions that are external to my agency but influence our work and have an impact on our opportunities for success, especially for successful collaboration? Issues to consider include funding trends, the political climate, and organizational structures.

Internal Environment Assessment

Think About What are the current conditions within my system or organization that influence our work and have an impact on our opportunities for successful collaboration? Issues to consider include things that your organization does well, things you do less well, administrative support for collaboration, personnel resources, and agency policies and procedures.

By looking at both the internally and externally focused components, your agency and system can develop a better understanding of the issues that will support or impede progress when entering into collaborations. This will help identify areas that need to be addressed during the collaboration process.