Chapter 4: SWOT

Analysis
Overview
Capstone Project Guide
Introduction

This chapter is an analysis of your

organizations strengths and weaknesses,
opportunities and threats, and an evaluation
of the S!T analysis for the organization"

There is a total of three sections in this

chapter

#ou will reference this analysis again in

chapter $ when for%ulating your
reco%%endations"
&ey things to keep in
%ind

#our S!T analysis is the key to a solution

'alance strengths(weaknesses against

opportunities(threats

'ased on the overall )alance, include evaluation of

your co%panys positive or negative position

In your evaluation, deter%ine if the co%pany can

re%ain pro*ta)le

+urther evaluate whether the co%pany can turn its

weaknesses into strengths and its threats into
opportunities

+urther%ore, refer to the ,S!T Checklist- Ta)le . in

the /ill 0 1ones
+actors of your analysis

#our S!T 2nalysis will consider the following factors3 Planning, Organizing,
Leading, Controlling , Porters Five Forces Model, and Macro-environment forces

So with your analysis you %ay consider any 4eadership or Control pro)le% as an
internal weakness. !n the other hand, Planning or !rganizing %ay relate to
either an internal weakness or e5ternal threat" 67ead the e5a%ple in the guide,
page .89

You will focus on one primary weakness or threat while oferin a

!rief review of the other elements of the SWOT analysis.

+or e5a%ple, your thesis state%ent %ight point to a pro)le% of

leadership 6an internal weakness9 so in your analysis you will o:er a
negative evaluation to the leadership co%ponent and focus %uch of your
S!T analysis on this pri%ary internal weakness" #ou will provide a
,positive- evaluation to the other co%ponents 6planning, controlling,
organizing, and e5ternal issues9 while o:ering only a )rief discussion for
each of the%"
"ote: #t may !e possi!le for you to have more than one weakness or threat$
that is okay%if lea&ership an& plannin are !oth the primary weakness then
that is 'ne.

Also$ your SWOT analysis &iscussion shoul& inclu&e !rief references to the
theories an& concepts learne& throuhout the (AS proram. )ake sure to refer
the *esearch Theories an& Concepts +ui&e.
Section I;Internal eakness and
Strengths

In this section, you will outline the four ele%ents of

%anage%ent 6leading, controlling, planning,
organizing9 and show how each function is related
to a strength or weakness in the co%pany"

#ou will outline evidence for pro)le%s

6weaknesses9 or strong points 6strengths9 in each
co%ponent"
I wont go into more detail therefore, it is your
resonsi!ility to read the guide for more information
on what should !e discussed in each element"
Section II3 <5ternal !pportunities
and Threats

In this section, you will focus on the challenges

inherent in the e5ternal environ%ent" If these
threats represent the pri%ary concerns
confronting the organization then focus %uch of
the S!T analysis on this section" /owever, if
not, then provide a )rief positive evaluation

So consider Porters +ive +orces =odel 6See the

guide for each co%ponent of this %odel9, and
consider the role of the %acro;environ%ent
forces and how each factor is relevant 6see the
guide for each of the forces9"
Section III3 <valuating the S!T
2nalysis

In this section you will do the following3

>iscuss the co%panys a)ility to achieve a

co%petitive advantage )y referring to the
S!T 2nalysis 6Sections I and II9 as well as the
discussions of structure, controls, and cororate
and !usiness level strategies"

For e#amle, you address the comanies a!ility to

address threats without ma$ing any changes or if
you determine that comany must change its
leadershi, controls, structure, etc, then discuss that
as well"
+or%at of Paper

? to @ pages 6ABCC to ADCC words9

Title page;2P2

2)stract

7eferences

Ese the checklist in your guide;highly

reco%%ended
See the chapter for%at for %ore infor%ation