Department of Veterans Affairs

<Insert Segment Name>

<Enter Project Name Here>

OneVA Enterprise ArchitectureAdapted From

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<Segment Name> SWOT Analysis <Month> <Year>

Table of Contents1. SWOT Analysis Information...............................................................1

1.1. INTERNAL Strengths / Weaknesses...............................................................11.2. EXTERNAL Opportunities / Threats................................................................1

2. SWOT Approach..................................................................................23. Sample SWOT Template.....................................................................3

<Segment Name> SWOT Analysis <Month> <Year>

1. SWOT Analysis InformationSWOT Analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). A SWOT Analysis is one analysis technique that could be leveraged to identify strategic improvement opportunities. The analysis technique involves identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving a goal or strategic objective.

For each SWOT factor identified, probabilities of occurrence must be established facilitating the development of fostering and/or mitigating activities. Strengths and Opportunities must be nurtured in order to ensure they are leveraged throughout the Segment life-cycle. Similarly, for Weaknesses and Threats, mitigation strategies must be developed in order to reduce the probability of occurrence and/or magnitude of impact.

Each gap to be addressed by Segment investment(s) must be analyzed via a structured SWOT activity. The factors considered during this analysis should include as a minimum:

1.1.INTERNAL Strengths / Weaknessesa. Experience and Past Performance of the Management Teamb. Collaborative “attitude” of all Stakeholdersc. Senior Management Sponsorshipd. Justifiability of Needs and Expected Improvementse. “Realism” of Anticipated (preliminary projections / estimates):

i. Costsii. Schedules

iii. Vendor Qualificationsiv. Technological Maturity

1.2.EXTERNAL Opportunities / Threatsa. Outside Directives / Laws / Regulations, etc.b. Cross Government:

i. Reuse Opportunities (Processes, Services, Technologies, etc.)ii. Inclusion of External Stakeholders

c. Congressional Oversight Implicationsd. “Visibility”

The results of the SWOT analysis should be quantified and combined with gap priorities to establish a comprehensive prioritization of Segment activities.

<Segment Name> SWOT Analysis <Month> <Year>

2. SWOT Approach1. Develop a Statement of Objective or Description of an End State e.g. “An organization

capable of IT portfolio management” or “An organization capable of attracting, hiring, and retaining a premier workforce.”

2. List and weight:a. Strengths: attributes of the organization/segment that are helpful to achieving the

objective.b. Weaknesses: attributes of the organization/segment that are harmful to achieving

the objective.Strengths and Weaknesses are internal value creating (or destroying) factors/business drivers such as assets, skills or resources a company has at its disposal. They can be measured using internal assessments or external benchmarking.i. Opportunities: external conditions that are helpful to achieving the

objective.ii. Threats: external conditions that are harmful to achieving the objective.

Opportunities and Threats are external value creating (or destroying) factors an organization cannot control, but emerge from either the competitive dynamics of the industry/market or from demographic, economic, political, technical, social, legal or cultural factors.

3. Determinea. How can we Use each Strength?b. How can we Stop each Weakness?c. How can we Exploit each Opportunity?d. How can we Defend/Destroy against each Threat?

4. Develop a strategy to reach the objective – The strategy should contain ACTIVE verbs describing actions proposed to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities. They should describe specific activities, roles & responsibilities, triggers for strategy implementation, and intended outcomes of each strategy.

5. Guidance: Make it about reaching the objective, rather than about lists.

<Segment Name> SWOT Analysis <Month> <Year>

3. Sample SWOT Template

Figure 1: Sample SWOT Template

<Segment Name> SWOT Analysis <Month> <Year>

Template Revision HistoryDate Version Description AuthorFebruary 2014 1.1 Updated to MS Office 2007-2010

format, formatted to ProPath documentation standards, and edited for Section 508 conformance

Process Management

September 2010 1.0 Initial Document PMAS Business Office

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<Segment Name> SWOT Analysis <Month> <Year>