Strategic Success Starts Here: Why Your Organization Needs a SWOT Analysis
Whether you lead a business or nonprofit organization, understanding internal and external factors that impact sustainability and success is essential. A SWOT analysis is one of the most effective tools to achieve this.
What Is a SWOT Analysis?
A SWOT analysis is a tool used to assess an organization’s internal operating capacity by detailing its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
This process pushes leaders to evaluate their organization’s current state, including what is working well, what isn’t, and what areas need urgent attention. A SWOT analysis or similar assessment, such as an environmental scan or PESTEL analysis, is often a crucial part of strategic planning.
How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis
The SWOT acronym guides organizations to evaluate their current internal and external factors:
Strengths – Identify financial, physical, and human resources, as well as operational and procedural advantages.
Weaknesses – Assess internal challenges, resource gaps, and areas where the organization may be underperforming.
Opportunities – Consider external factors such as emerging trends, policy changes, or new funding sources that could be leveraged.
Threats – Analyze external risks, including regulatory changes, market competition, or cybersecurity threats.
At Rural Pathways, we go a step further by incorporating accomplishments to form SWOTA, ensuring organizations conclude their analysis on a positive note.
Staci Gilpin of Rural Pathways talks with Kayley Spencer, executive director of Lakeside Early Learning in Duluth, and Kate Nelson DeShaw, board member and parent. Recently, we facilitated a SWOT analysis with them.
Best Practices
To maximize the value of a SWOT analysis, organizations should move beyond simple bullet-point lists. Harvard Business Review suggests that instead of using one- or two-word descriptions, organizations should provide detailed explanations for each SWOT category.
Rural Pathways recommends utilizing an external facilitator for SWOT sessions, allowing leaders to focus on strategy instead of facilitation. A skilled facilitator can prepare targeted questions, prompting leaders to think strategically about their organization’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring a thorough and meaningful analysis.
Integrating SWOT Analysis into Strategic Planning
A SWOT analysis is a foundational step in effective strategic planning. At Rural Pathways, we facilitate SWOT analysis sessions that enable leadership teams and stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of opportunities and challenges. This lays the foundation for an actionable strategic plan.
To integrate a SWOT analysis effectively into strategic planning, we recommend that organizations:
Conduct a SWOT analysis during pre-planning activities.
Include a diverse and representative group of participants.
Gather additional stakeholder feedback to complement SWOT insights.
Utilize complementary tools such as environmental scans for a broader perspective.
Engage an external facilitator to ensure an objective and productive session.
Visit the Community Tool Box, a service of the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas, for a SWOT checklist, examples, and other helpful resources.
Call to Action: Partner with Us
A SWOT analysis is more than just an exercise—it’s a strategic tool that can shape the future of your organization. At Rural Pathways, we specialize in guiding rural businesses and nonprofits through SWOT analyses and strategic funding road mapping.
Are you ready to strengthen your organization’s strategy and sustainability?
Contact Rural Pathways today to schedule a facilitated SWOT analysis session and take the first step toward a more resilient future.
Citation: Anderson, Charity & Gilpin, Staci. (2025). Strategic Success Starts Here: Why Your Organization Needs a SWOT Analysis. Rural Pathways News.