SWOT analysis for schools, teachers andeducation |colleges|universities Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threads in an educational environment. A SWOT analysis for schools is a tool that can provide prompts to the governors, management teachers and staff involved in the analysis of what is effective and less effective in the schools systems and procedures, in preparation for a plan of some form ( that could be an audit, assessments, quality checks etc.). In fact a SWOT can be used for any planning or analysis activity which could impact future finance, planning and management decisions. It can enable you (the governors and management) to carry out a more comprehensive analysis. Definitions Strengths – Factors that are likely to have a positive effect on (or be an enabler to) achieving the school’s objectives Weaknesses – Factors that are likely to have a negative effect on (or be a barrier to) achieving the school’s objectives Opportunities – External Factors that are likely to have a positive effect on achieving or exceeding the school’s objectives, or goals not previously considered Threats – External Factors and conditions that are likely to have a negative effect on achieving the school’s objectives, or making the the objective redundant or un-achievable. Before starting any planning or analysis process you need to have a clear and SMART goal or objective. What is it that you need to achieve or solve? Ensure that all key stakeholders (relevant to the issue being explored) buy into this objective or goal. If budgets do not allow this – then talk to another establishments head. this will provide you with the external factors (OT). . sort and analyse into the 4 areas – SWOT – be critical and SMART avoid ambiguous statements or ideas at this stage 5) Prioritise the elements Have a second session where the planning phase takes this data and puts it into a realistic plan. Use the PRIMO-F model to ensure all internal factors are considered Conducting a SWOT analysis for schools |colleges|universities One of the most effective ways to conduct a SWOT analysis for schools is not to do it in isolation. then a brainstorming session can be run. When the goal is shared. but with a team effort. and arrange a contra deal. Do this activity in a number of phases: 1) Share the goal 2) Data collection (no filtering or comments – record verbatim) consider all areas of PRIMO-F 3) Take a break of at least 1 hr 4) Filter.Then undertake a PESTLE analysis (or PESTLE in Schools). Ensure than when running such a session it is facilitated by a person not involved with the content – this is best with an independent person. Define the goal and measurable outcomes – i. Put a plan and set of measures in place. TASK 1. |colleges|universities Do not hide or underestimate threats or weaknesses – if you ignore them or underplay them now they will come back to haunt you at some stage – probably when they can do most damage! The goal of any session like this is not necessarily to neutralise any weakness or threat – that is impossible – but to have it on your radar – and where possible take avoiding action. it can be used for business planning. Complete a SWOT analysis. identifying your current strengths and realistically appraising your curren involving other teachers.IMPORTANT TIP for SWOT analysis in schools.e. It uses this as a way to encourage parents to visit the school and engage with school staff. From the current analysis identify factors which could be improved 5. to have more than 50% of parents spending one day in 2. however it is also of value to solving localised issues and challenges. Consider the current activities you have in place to encourage parent-partnerships within your class/ s 3. 4. the school holds an open day once each year. To some extent it is all about risk. The school identified the following objective: To improve parent-partnership by encouraging parents to visit the school and become active members of the community. pupils and parents. The following is the initial SWOT Analysis for schools. Outcome – to have more than 50% of parents spending one day in class per term Currently. What sort of tasks and issues can a SWOT analysis for Schools be used for? At its most complex and comprehensive. . An Example of a SWOT analysis for schools |colleges|universities We will use an example of a teacher working within a first school who want to improve the relationships with parents of his pupils. Identify opportunities that could be created 6. universities or other educational establishments can be a simple and yet effective way to ensuring that all appropriate factors are considered. parents and children are considered along with third party people (police. colleges. sharing and commitment to increasing parental confidence Parents wanting to get involved PTA willing to participate Opportunities Active volunteer committee willing to plan and organise events Pupils active in the school’s Pupil Participation Project can be asked for their opinions and suggestions.Weaknesses Strengths Teachers not available to meet parents often enough Current open days events not increasing voluntary activity Not enough staff time to plan more events Staff not clear of their role in the parent relationship Narrow focus on open events not partnership activities Curriculum too stretched for additional activity Highly-skilled teachers. support staff. . Threats Head Teacher is willing flex curriculum to free up teacher time Use parents to contribute to curriculum delivery Confidentiality is at risk Pupil coercion to do things they do not wish to do The next step is to develop a plan with interested stakeholders A SWOT analysis for schools. In this environment it is particularly important to use the PRIMO-F template to ensure that all elements have been considered. History of successful Open day events School has a strong ethos of openness. local health etc that can form a part of your community. Indeed ensure that under People – teachers. professor. keep the analysis real. always use the PRIMOF & PEST or PESTLE analysis profiles to ensure all factors are covered. . Tutors. PESTLE. PRIMO -F. tutor About Mike Morrison Mike Morrison is a consultant and change agent specialising in developing skills in senior people to increase organizational performance. PTA (Parent Teacher associations) management committees etc all have a valuable contribution to make A SWOT analysis for schools |colleges|universities is just as valuable as in any other organisation if done at a strategic level. in context and focussed on the goal you are seeking. Under Resources. Need to know more about SWOT analysis? then check out Mike Morrison's Book . teacher. but it is only as good as the data and context considered.Strategic Business Diagnostic Tools on Amazon or on Kindle For more on SWOT analysis read our other articles. Management. and consumables that can be used as part of the process A SWOT analysis is a valuable diagnostic tool. Strategy. When using a SWOT analysis. Lecturers. Professors. an organizational effectiveness consultancy. template. schools. education. organisation.Teachers. Remember. SWOT. remember to include IT. Mike is also founder & director of RapidBI. Filed Under: SWOT AnalysisTagged With: analysis. The SWOT method (which is sometimes called TOWS) was originally developed for business and industry. if you know how to take stock of the opposition inside and outside of your effort or group. WHAT IS A SWOT ANALYSIS AND WHY SHOULD YOU USE ONE? The name says it: Strength. Weakness. That's where SWOT analysis comes in. but it is equally useful in the work of community health and development. Threat. Compare it with other tools found in the Community Tool Box to determine if this is the right approach for your situation. you are more likely to plan and act effectively. and even personal growth. Developing a full awareness of your situation can help with both strategic planning and decision-making. SWOT can help you handle both ordinary and unusual situations in your community health or development initiative. SWOT is not the only assessment technique you can use. in the external environment (O-T). However. WHEN DO YOU USE SWOT? . but is one with a long track record of effectiveness. W H AT I S A S W O T A N A LY S I S A N D W H Y S H O U L D YO U USE ONE? W H E N D O YO U U S E S W O T ? W H AT A R E T H E E L E M E N T S O F A S W O T A N A LY S I S ? H O W D O YO U C R E AT E A S W O T A N A LY S I S ? H O W D O YO U U S E YO U R S W O T A N A LY S I S ? Opposition is an inevitable part of change and one that can significantly impact your community organizing. Opportunity. The strengths of this method are its simplicity and application to a variety of levels of operation. by giving you a tool to explore both internal and external factors that may influence your work. education. A SWOT analysis guides you to identify the positives and negatives inside your organization (S-W) and outside of it. but first here are a few sample layouts-ideas of what your SWOT analysis can look like. We will discuss the process of creating the analysis below. SWOT also offers a simple way of communicating about your initiative or program and an excellent way to organize information you've gathered from studies or surveys. decide what format or layout you will use to communicate these issues most clearly for you. A new opportunity might open wider avenues. but the graphic format you use varies depending on the depth and complexity of your effort. Identifying your opportunities for success in context of threats to success can clarify directions and choices. Adjust and refine plans mid-course. You can list internal and external opposites side by side. Before you conduct a SWOT session. Ask participants to answer these simple questions: what are the strengths and weaknesses of your group. WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A SWOT ANALYSIS? A SWOT analysis focuses on the four elements of the acronym. Make decisions about the best path for your initiative. Determine where change is possible. If you are at a juncture or turning point. Remember that the purpose of performing a SWOT is to reveal positive forces that work together and potential problems that need to be addressed or at least recognized. while a new threat could close a path that once existed.A SWOT analysis can offer helpful perspectives at any stage of an effort. or effort. an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses can reveal priorities as well as possibilities. and what are the opportunities and threats facing it? . community. You might use it to: Explore possibilities for new efforts or solutions to problems. And here's a third option for structuring your SWOT analysis that might be appropriate for a large initiative that requires detailed planning or many alternatives. This more elaborate "TOWS Matrix" is adapted from Fred .Internal Strengths Positives External Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Negatives Strengths Weaknesses Assets Limitations Resources Restrictions Opportunities Threats Prospects Challenges Or if a looser structure helps you brainstorm. you can group positives and negatives to think broadly about your organization and its external environment. threats 3.) STRENGTHS Current profit ratio WEAKNESSES Legal suits not resolved Plant capacity has falle increased . Use the strengths to take advantage Strategies 2. 1. advantage of opportunities 4. Use strengths to avoid threats Minimize weaknesses and avoid 2. 1.David's Strategic Management text. 3. 2. 2. 1. OPPORTUNITIES Opportunity-Strength (OS) Strategies Opportunity-Weakness (OW) 1. but it also illustrates how you can pair the items within a SWOT grid to develop strategies. (This version of the chart is abbreviated. THREATS Threat-Strength (TS) Strategies Threat-Weakness (TW) Strategies 1. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES 1. 2. 2. of opportunities Overcome weaknesses by taking 3. 4. Here a working table guides you to identify strategies by matching items in each quadrant. 3. 1. 2. 4. David gives an example for Campbell Soup Company that stresses financial goals. 4. 2. 1. but whatever format you use. including a basic SWOT formthat you can use to prompt analysis. Your chart. O2. or you might need to simply look at the facts longer. S3. Rising health Develop new Pepperidg O3) Develop new healthy soups (S2. O1) consciousness in selecting foods Farn products (W1. or from a different angle. list or table will certainly reveal patterns. . don't be surprised if your strengths and weaknesses don't precisely match up to your opportunities and threats. You might need to refine. T2) T1) biodegradable This example also illustrates how threats can become opportunities (and vice versa). The limitation of tin cans (which aren't biodegradable) creates an opportunity for leadership in developing biodegradable containers. There are several formats you can use to do a SWOT analysis. O2) Demand for soups increasing annually THREATS Low value of dollar Tin cans are not Threat-Strength (TS) Strategies Develop new Threat-Weakness (TW) Strateg Close unprofitable biodegradable soup European operations (W containers (S1. Employee morale high Market share has Lack of strategic management system increased OPPORTUNITIES Opportunity-Strength (OS) Opportunity-Weakness (OW) Strategies Strategies Western European unification Acquire food company in Europe (S1. Do others see problems--or assets--that you don't? How do you get information about how outsiders perceive your strengths and weaknesses? You may know already if you've listened to those you serve.your location. group. If not. T ) Cast a wide net for the external part of the assessment. systems you employ Past experiences .programs you run. listening sessions.g. or neighborhood is immune to outside events and forces.grants. board members. for better and worse. W) Internal factors include your resources and experiences. don't overlook the perspective of people outside your group. building. this might be the time to gather that type of information. start by simply listing your characteristics (e. See "Related Sections" for ideas on conducting focus groups. If you're having difficulty naming them. General areas to consider are: Human resources . Some of these will probably be strengths. L I S T I N G E XT E R N A L FAC T O R S : O P P O RT U N I T I E S A N D T H R E AT S ( O . No organization. other sources of income Activities and processes .building blocks for learning and success. program. Consider your connectedness. volunteers. we're connected to the neighborhood). we're small. user surveys.staff. target population Physical resources . and meetings. Although the strengths and weakness of your organization are your internal qualities.L I S T I N G YO U R I N T E R N A L FAC T O R S : S T R E N GT H S A N D WEAKNESSES (S. as you compile this part of your SWOT list. funding agencies.. equipment (Does your building have a prime location? Does it need renovations?) Financial . Identify strengths and weaknesses from both your own point of view and that of others-those you serve or deal with. . your reputation in the community Don't be too modest when listing your strengths. Forces and facts that your group does not control include: Future trends . Perhaps the competition for your target population's time and attention exists in a competing unhealthy habit. gender." Programs to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities might not have competitors in the market sense. donors..foundations. HOW DO YOU CREATE A SWOT ANALYSIS? W H O D E V E LO P S T H E S W O T ? The most common users of a SWOT analysis are team members and project managers who are responsible for decision-making and strategic planning. but treatment is getting all the resources. national.local.in your field (Is research finding new treatments?) or the culture (Do current movies highlight your cause?) The economy . legislatures Demographics . national or international events As a tool designed for businesses. race. such as smoking. or even in the lure of couch and TV. but there could be overlap in services with other agencies that you need to consider. Or perhaps preferences for funding aren't favoring you – you're interested in health promotions. . or international Funding sources .or easier?) Local. the major threat to success for most SWOT practitioners is "the competition. So it can help to think of the "competition" in a broad sense as you consider threats to your effort.changes in the age. culture of those you serve or in your area The physical environment (Is your building in a growing part of town? Is the bus company cutting routes?) Legislation (Do new federal requirements make your job harder. which occupy time that might be given to exercise.. or in a societal force like tobacco advertising. H O W D O YO U D E V E LO P A S W O T A N A LY S I S ? Here are steps for conducting a gathering to produce your analysis. you could run through a quick example based on a shared experience or well-known public issue (even the new TV season). The best results come when participants are encouraged to have an open attitude about possibilities. W H E N A N D W H E R E D O YO U D E V E LO P A S W O T A N A LY S I S ? A SWOT analysis is often created during a retreat or planning session that allows several hours for both brainstorming and more structured analysis. The more relaxed. Use newsprint on a flip chart or a large board to record the analysis and discussion points. insightful and useful your analysis will be. and who can keep things moving and on track. When creating the analysis. Likewise. This can be as simple as asking. or volunteer or stakeholder may have information about an opportunity or threat that is essential to understanding your position and determining your future. "Where are we. all people involved are asked to pool their individual and shared knowledge and experiences. Designate a recorder to back up the leader if your group is large. You can record later in a more polished fashion to share with stakeholders and to update. the more truthful.But don't overlook anyone in the creation stage! An individual or small group can develop a SWOT analysis. Designate a leader or group facilitator who has good listening and group process skills. comprehensive. friendly and constructive the setting and environment. one staff member. While you might "SWOT" in conjunction with an informational or business session. where can we go?" If you have time. Introduce the SWOT method and its purpose in your organization. the tone when creating a SWOT analysis is usually collaborative and inclusive. . Each person or group offers a different perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of your program and has different experiences of both. but it will be more effective if you take advantage of many stakeholders. opportunities and threats chart for your program. Collect and organize the differing groups' ideas and perceptions. In this way. recording strengths first. recording on the flip-chart or board. weaknesses second. Have each group designate a recorder. o Or you can begin by calling for the top priorities in each category -the strongest strength. Gather information from the groups. initiative or effort. and provide each with newsprint or dry -erase board. worst threat--and continue to work across each category. Then divide your stakeholders into smaller groups. o Proceed in S-W-O-T order. let all participants introduce themselves. Refinement can come later. make sure you mix the small groups to get a range of perspectives. . most dangerous weakness. etc. o Once a list has been generated. If your retreat or meeting draws several groups of stakeholders together. Direct them to create a SWOT analysis in the format you choose-a chart. o The size of these depends on the size of your entire group – breakout groups can range from three to ten. o Remind groups that the way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. columns. o It helps to generate lots of comments about your organization and your program. the SWOT analysis also supports valuable discussion within your group or organization as you honestly assess. o Give the groups 20-30 minutes to brainstorm and fill out their own strengths. it helps to refine it to the best 10 or fewer points so that the analysis can be truly helpful. Reconvene the group at the agreed-upon time to share results. Encourage them not to rule out any ideas at this stage. biggest opportunity. Depending on the nature of your group and the time available. some members may not participate. or the next. and give them a chance to introduce themselves. or even a page for each quality. a matrix. weakness. and even to put them in multiple categories if that provokes thought. If the size gets much larger. HOW DO YOU USE YOUR SWOT ANALYSIS? In some ways a SWOT analysis pushes you to think "inside the box" by asking you to categorize your effort in such simple opposing terms. mission.") o Or. and knowing what the positives and negatives of your program are puts you in a more powerful position for action. you can open the floor to all groups ("What strengths have you noted?") for each category until all have contributed what they think is needed. prepare a written summary of the SWOT analysis to give or e-mail to participants for continued use in planning and implementing your effort. and goals o Translate the analysis to action plans and strategies If appropriate. Discuss and record the results. Depending on your time frame and purpose: o Come to some consensus about the most important items in each category o Relate the analysis to your vision. Knowledge is indeed power. More ideas on meeting strategies can be found by conducting public forums and listening sessions. what do you see as strengths?") You can vary which group begins the report so a certain group isn't always left "bringing up the end" and repeating points made by others. While a SWOT analysis is not in itself action. or organizing a retreat.o Ask one group at a time to report ("Group A. it can be a "support team" to help you: Identify the issues or problems you intend to change . ("Group B. But the purpose of this information gathering is definitely to help you move outside the box of any constraints or limitations that may have hindered you before.conducting focus groups. let's start with you for weaknesses. but if your goal is to grow or improve. recognize that an opportunity can become a threat if everyone else sees the opportunity and plans to take advantage of it as well. the four-cornered SWOT analysis prompts you to move in a balanced way throughout your program. Whatever courses of action you decide on. Finally. IN SUMMARY A realistic recognition of the weaknesses and threats that exist for your effort is the first step to countering them with a robust and creative set of strengths and opportunities. Set or reaffirm goals Create an action plan As you consider your analysis. the more valuable your analysis will be." not just a "fit. Dugger of Iowa State University point out. SWOT is a simple yet comprehensive way of assessing the positive and negative forces within and without your organization. be open to the possibilities that exist within a weakness or threat. You can use SWOT to justify a course that has already been decided upon. It reminds you to: build on your strengths minimize your weaknesses seize opportunities . A SWOT analysis identifies your strengths. thereby increasing your competition. weaknesses. you might keep an image in mind to help you make the most of a SWOT analysis: Look for a "stretch. Likewise. The more stakeholders you involve in preparing the SWOT." As Radha Balamuralikrishna and John C. SWOT usually reflects your current position or situation. so you can be better prepared to act effectively. during your assessment and planning. you will want to use it differently. opportunities and threats to assist you in making strategic plans and decisions. Therefore one drawback is that it might not encourage openness to new possibilities. Quality Guide: SWOT Analysis is a helpful guide from Management Sciences for Health and United Nations Children's Fund. Neighborhood Planning: A Guide for Citizens and Planners. and at best will reveal connections and areas for action. SWOT Analysis SWOT: Opportunities . counteract threats A SWOT analysis will be most helpful if you use it to support the vision. Strategic Management. Bernie. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.C. (1993). Mind Tools: SWOT Analysis provides a quick overview of SWOT. mission. Contributor Val Renault Print Resources David. D. Fred R. American Planning Association. The SWOT will at least provide perspective. Chicago and Washington. 4th Ed.: Planners Press. and objectives you have already defined. Dugger describes the use of a SWOT analysis to initiate new programs in vocational schools. Jones. (1990). Online Resources SWOT Analysis: A Management Tool for Initiating New Programs in Vocational Schools by Radha Balamuralikrishna and John C.